ASCI 1000: SOCIETY AND SCIENCE I: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Fall 2013
Lectures: Mon, Wed, 2:30-3:20pm, ROZH, Room 103
Seminar: You must attend the section in which you are registered
Section 0101 – Wed, 10:30-11:20am, ROZH, Room 109 (Elaine Young)
Section 0102 – Wed, 10:30-11:20am, ROZH, Room 108 (Jacqueline McIsaac)
Section 0103 – Thur, 2:30-3:20pm, MACK, Room 315 (Jacqueline McIsaac)
Section 0104 – Thur, 2:30-3:20pm, GRHM, Room 2310 (Michelle Hunniford)
Section 0105 – Wed, 11:30-12:20pm, GRHM, Room 2310 (Michelle Hunniford)
Section 0106 – Wed, 11:30-12:20pm, ANNU, Room 306 (Elaine Young)
Instructor:
Professor Sofie Lachapelle
Office: MacKinnon extension 2016
Phone: (519) 824-4120 ext. 53214
Email: slachap@uoguelph.ca
Office hours: Tuesdays 2pm to 4pm or by appointment
Seminar Leaders:
Michelle Hunniford - mhunnifo@uoguelph.ca
Jacqueline McIsaac - mcisaac@uoguelph.ca
Elaine Young - eyoung01@uoguelph.ca
Course Description:
This course explores historically the complex interrelations between science, technology and
society. It focuses on the ways in which science and technology have both shaped and been shaped
by their larger social and cultural contexts.
On Course Format and Student Responsibilities: This course will not follow the
traditional lecture format typical of large first-year courses. Instead, each class will be
organized around 4 or 5 questions that will have been posted on D2L one week prior. Before
each class, you will be required to have read the day’s assigned chapter and have reflected on
the questions posted on D2L. You will be expected to come to class with written notes on
your thoughts and a willingness to participate in class discussion. In class, I will help the
group formulate answers to each question through collaborative discussions. My hope is to
guide you through the material rather than feed it to you.
Course Objectives:
1.
To recognize the importance of science and technology in world history and their
dependency on particular social, cultural and historical context (Global Understanding,
Intercultural Competence)
2.
To recognize the importance of adopting a historical perspective in understanding the roles
of science and technology in contemporary society (Sense of Historical Development)
3.
To practice the acquisition and critical assessment of sources and present them in both
written and oral formats (Inquiry and Analysis, Information Literacy, Written
Communication, Oral Communication)
4.
To foster self awareness and a sense of agency (Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
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Required Text:
 James E. McClellan III and Harold Dorn, Science and Technology in World History. An
Introduction (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006).
Course Evaluation: (Details of the assignments are provided in additional package)
 Seminar Participation:
20%
 Weekly Quizzes:
10% - Every week!
 Initial reflection
2.5% - Due on Sept 16 before 5pm
 Assignment 1:
10% - Due on Oct 7 before 5pm
 Assignment 2:
15% - Due on Nov 4 before 5pm
 Assignment 3:
15% - Due on Nov 28 before 5pm
 Final reflection:
2.5% - Due on Dec 5 before 5pm
 Final Exam:
25% - December 10, 2:30-4:30pm, location TBA
Late policy:
All assignment will be submitted on Dropbox. The penalty for late assignments will be 3% per
day (individual week-end days included.) No material for this course will be accepted after the
final exam (Dec 10).
COURSE SCHEDULE, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
September 9- Introduction
September 11 - Workshop: How to prepare for class (sessions organized by the Writing Centre)
Weekly Seminar: How to get the most out of this course and the BAS program
(Bring your course outline to seminar to discuss course objectives).
September 16 - Chapter 1 Discussion  INITIAL REFLECTION due before 5pm
September 18 - Chapter 2 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Research Strategies: How to choose an artifact; how to locate information
and evaluate it critically; what constitutes academic integrity (how to reference)
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
September 23 - Chapter 3 Discussion
September 25 - Chapter 4 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Writing Strategies: Style, Grammar and Format. How to write clearly.
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
September 30 - Chapter 5 Discussion
October 2 - Antiquity - Looking Back
Weekly Seminar: Peer-Editing Session
(Bring 2 hard copies of your first assignment to seminar to be peer-edited by fellow students).
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
October 7 - Chapter 6 Discussion FIRST ASSIGNMENT due before 5pm
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October 9 - Chapter 7 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Speaking in Public: How to communication ideas orally
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
October 16 - Chapters 8-9 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Weekly Seminar: First assignment, looking back  how to improve
critical analysis and writing
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
October 21- Chapter 10 Discussion
October 23 - Chapter 11 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Presentations on the Prehistory and Antiquity Room (2 to 3 min
presentation on your artifact - half of the class)
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
October 28 - Chapter 12 Discussion
October 30 - Chapter 13 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Peer-Editing Session
(Bring 2 hard copies of your first assignment to seminar to be peer-edited by fellow students).
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
November 4 - Chapter 14 Discussion  SECOND ASSIGNMENT due before 5pm
November 6 - Middle Ages and Scientific Revolution Looking Back
Weekly Seminar: Presentations on the Middle Ages and the Scientific Revolution Room
(2 to 3 min presentation on your artifact - half of the class)
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
November 11- Chapter 15 Discussion
November 13 - Chapter 16 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Looking back on the first two assignments: how to improve analysis and
writing
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
November 18 - Chapter 17 Discussion
November 20 - Chapter 18 Discussion
Weekly Seminar: Presentations on the Modern World Room (2 to 3 min presentation on
your artifact - half of the class)
 DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
November 25 - Chapter 19 Discussion
November 27 - Chapter 20 Discussion
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November 28 - Modern World Looking Back  THIRD ASSIGNMENT due before 5pm
Weekly Seminar: Presentations on the Modern World Room (2 to 3 min presentation on
your artifact - half of the class)
DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR WEEKLY QUIZ THIS WEEK!
 FINAL REFLECTION due December 5 before 5 pm
FINAL EXAM: DECEMBER 10, between 2:30pm and 4:30pm, Location TBA
Contribution of this course to the ASCI core:
The Integrated Plan for the BAS program, written in 2006, identifies a number of Learning Outcomes
to be achieved by students graduating from the program. Graduates will be able:
a.
to pose and solve problems by drawing on and integrating the protocols and methods of the
humanities/social sciences and sciences
b. to communicate in both oral and written forms for both academic and general audiences
c. to conduct research using both traditional and electronic sources in both humanities/social
sciences and scientific contexts
d. to be creative and analytical thinkers and practitioners
e. to approach the complexities and ambiguities of the “risk society” with both creativity and
vigour
f. to integrate academic work and broader issues of global citizenship through experiential
learning
All the instructors in the core of ASCI courses fully expect that you will look back on your 4 years
here and agree that you have met those outcomes. But each course will not address every outcome.
Nor will each instructor make the same kinds of bridges between the ‘Arts’ (i.e., the Humanities and
Social Science) and Science. We each have very different ranges of expertise and skill sets – that is
one of the strengths of the program. Initially you as a student might have some difficulty seeing how
each ASCI course fits into the bigger picture of the complete list of Learning Outcomes. So the
purpose of this section is to show you how this course provides you with one piece of a larger puzzle
that you will complete by Year Four. As you go through the ASCI courses and gain new pieces, the
whole puzzle will unfold.
Pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of learning outcomes
In the table below, the learning outcomes listed above are broken down into their components. The
components you will be exposed to in this course are highlighted. You will work on other
components on other courses to complete the table by year 4.
The table also indicates the level of competence that you are expected to achieve in each component
in the course of this semester:
Introduce - Key ideas, concepts or skills related to learning outcomes are introduced.
5
Reinforce - Students develop and become increasingly proficient in demonstrating learning
outcomes. Learning outcomes are reinforced with feedback.
Master - Students demonstrate learning outcomes with high level of independence and a
level of understanding and sophistication expected upon graduation.
The following terms are used in the table to indicate the degree to which you should learn each skill,
based on the level of practise.
a. Solve
problems
b.
Communication
Using
Humanities/Social
Science methods
Introduce
Written
e. Risk Society
Introduce
Traditional
sources
Introduce
Creatively
Introduce
Handle complexity
f. Experiential
learning
Introduce
Learning by
experience
c. Research
d. Think
Using methods
from Science
Integrating both
types of method
Oral
Academic
audience
Introduce
Humanities/Social
Science context
Introduce
Introduce
Electronic
sources
Introduce
Analytically
Introduce
Handle
ambiguity
Introduce
Understanding
global
citizenship
Introduce
General
audience
Scientific
Context
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RELEVANT UNIVERSITY RULES AND REGULATIONS
E-Mail Communication:
As per university regulations, all students are required to check their <uoguelph.ca> e-mail account
regularly: e-mail is the official route of communication between the university and its students.
When You Cannot Meet A Course Requirement:
When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or
compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor (or teaching assistant) in writing, with
your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the undergraduate calendar for information on regulations
and procedures for Academic Consideration
(http://www.uoguelph.ca/undergrad_calendar/08_ac.shtml) or the BA Counseling Office Website
(http://www.uoguelph.ca/baco)
Drop Date:
The last date to drop one-semester Fall 2013 courses, without academic penalty, is Thursday
October 31. For regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses, see the Undergraduate
6
Calendar. (http://www.uoguelph.ca/undergrad_calendar/c08/c08-drop.shtml)
Copies of Out-Of-Class Assignments:
Keep paper and/or other reliable back-up copies of all out-of-class assignments: you may be asked
to resubmit work at any time.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Each student at the University of Guelph has rights which carry commensurate responsibilities that
involve, broadly, being a civil and respectful member of the University community. The Rights and
Responsibilities are detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c14/c14strightsrespon.shtml
Academic Misconduct
The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and
enjoins all members of the University community – faculty, staff, and students – to be aware of what
constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from
occurring. The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/c08/c08-amisconduct.shtml
Recording of Materials
Presentations which are made in relation to course work—including lectures—cannot be recorded
in any electronic media without the permission of the presenter, whether the instructor, a classmate
or guest lecturer.
Resources
The Undergraduate Calendar is the source of information about the University of Guelph’s
procedures, policies and regulations which apply to undergraduate programs. It can be found at:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/calendars/undergraduate/current/
If you find yourself in difficulty, contact the undergraduate advisor in your program, or the BA
Counselling Office: http://www.uoguelph.ca/baco/contact.shtml
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*FIRST: LEARNING RESOURCES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS
First is a collection of resources, services, and technologies designed to help make the
transition to university learning smooth and successful. Visit the First website to register for
workshops, find out about Supported Learning Groups, and make individual appointments
with staff or peer helpers. http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/first/