COURSE OUTLINE
SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest: From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
CREDIT HOURS: 42 Hours (Course is entirely online)
PREREQUISITES: None
COREQUISITES: None
PLAR ELIGIBLE: YES
( X ) NO
( )
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2011
PROFESSOR: Lina Medaglia-Miller
PHONE: 416-415-5000, #3005
EMAIL: lmedagli@georgebrown.ca
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Academic Departments at George Brown College will NOT retain historical copies
of Course Outlines. We urge you to retain this Course Outline for your future reference.
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
ORIGINATOR:__________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
CHAIR:_________________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
DATE OF REVISION:__________________________________________________
EQUITY STATEMENT: George Brown College values the talents and contributions of its students, staff and community
partners and seeks to create a welcoming environment where equity, diversity and safety of all groups are fundamental.
Language or activities which are inconsistent with this philosophy violate the College policy on the Prevention of
Discrimination and Harassment and will not be tolerated. The commitment and cooperation of all students and staff are
required to maintain this environment. Information and assistance are available through your Chair, Student Affairs,
the Student Association or the Human Rights Advisor.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Students should obtain a copy of the Student Handbook and refer to it for additional
information regarding the grading system, withdrawals, exemptions, class assignments, missed tests and exams,
supplemental privileges, and academic dishonesty. Students are required to apply themselves diligently to the course of
study, and to prepare class and homework assignments as given. Past student performance shows a strong relationship
between regular attendance and success.
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
PAGE: 1
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Science of Conquest is a science-focused course that addresses the ways in which humans have
attempted to conquer biology, humanity, the environment, and the universe. Students will reflect on how
science has been used internationally as a tool for appropriation of natural processes such as life/death and
creation/destruction. Through a series of contemporary subjects (e.g. DNA decoding, cloning, eugenics,
genetic-enhancement, atomic research, warfare, environmental decline, ozone depletion, space exploration,
and cosmology), students will consider how consumerist and expansionist values have affected the health
of the entire planet, to the benefit of a privileged few, and to the detriment of most. A primary objective of
this course is to consider the interconnectedness and interdependence of world events by analyzing how
local and seemingly insignificant events that occur on one part of the planet, affect everything else on the
planet. Students will also explore how science can be used to create ‘visionary’ solutions for healing the
planet and its inhabitants.
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS:
As mandated by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities essential employability skills
(EES) will be addressed throughout all programs of study. Students will have the opportunity to learn
(L) specific skills, to practice (P) these skills, and/or be evaluated (E) on the EES outcomes in a
variety of courses. The EES include communication, numeracy, critical thinking & problem solving,
information management, interpersonal and personal skills. The faculty for this course has indicated
which of the EES are either Learned (L), Practiced (P) or Evaluated (E) in this course:
Skill
1. to communicate clearly, concisely
and correctly in the written, spoken
and visual form that fulfills the
purpose and meets the needs of the
audience
2. to respond to written, spoken or
visual messages in a manner that
ensures effective communication
L P E
X X
X X
3. to execute mathematical operations
accurately
X
4. to apply a systematic approach to
solve problems
X X
5. to use a variety of thinking skills to
anticipate and solve problems.
X X
6. to analyze, evaluate, and apply
relevant information from a variety
of sources
X X X
Skill
7.
to locate, select, organize
and document information
using appropriate
technology and information
sources
8. to show respect for the
diverse opinions, values,
belief systems, and
contributions of others
9. to interact with others in
groups or teams in ways that
contribute to effective
working relationships and
the achievement of goals
10. to manage the use of time
and other resources to
complete projects
11. to take responsibility for my
actions, decisions and
consequences
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
L P
X
E
X
X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PAGE: 2
COURSE OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion of this course the students will have reliably demonstrated the
ability to:
1. Demonstrate
Illustrate the workings of the basic elements of science: composition of matter and energy,
processes of environmental degradation, theories about the world and the universe. Explain the
idea of rational science as a belief rather than an objective truth.
2. Critique
Show how distortion of scientific information, either for personal gain or due to inaccurate
scientific processes, has had disastrous effects on the environment and on plant and animal life.
3. Analyze
Examine a wide variety of global issues, showing how each issue is related to and
interdependent upon others, and how each is an example of humans' attempts to conquer both
their environment and the limitations of their humanity.
4. Apply
Seek out alternate sciences and technologies at a community or global development level that
would aid in reversing planetary decline. Explain how traditional, indigenous knowledge
provides future visions for ecological balance.
DELIVERY METHODS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES
This is an online course with weekly, mini-essay assignments, one major essay, and a final exam. Modules
will be “opened” and available for the students to work on, each week, in anticipation of the class that is to
come. Students are responsible for reading all materials presented in each module, participating in weekly
discussion, observing due dates for assignments, and maintaining regular contact with the professor and the
rest of the class.
LIST OF TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER TEACHING AIDS
Required:
¾ Readings for each week are available online and are accessed through links found on Blackboard.
Optional:
¾ Newton, L., C. Dillingham, and J. Choly (2006). Watersheds 4. Toronto: Thomson Nelson.
¾ Ravetz, Jerome (2005). The No-Nonsense Guide to Science. Toronto: New Internationalist/Between
the Lines.
TESTING POLICY:
Term assignments: (1) Weekly response to assigned topic, (2) Footprint and Positive Steps Essay
or Report, and (3) Exam in the last week of classes.
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
PAGE: 3
ASSIGNMENT POLICY:
Extensions must be negotiated by e-mail, with the professor, at least 24 hours before the due date of the
assignment. Students who submit late assignments without prior negotiation will have marks deducted.
See individual assignments for details on marks deduction. Students who submit plagiarized work will
receive a mark of zero, with the possibility of additional penalty. If you are not clear on what constitutes
academic dishonesty, the library/learning centre at your campus has many resources to help you.
EVALUATION SYSTEM:
Assessment Tool:
Description:
Outcome(s) EES
demondemonstrated:
strated:
Ecological Footprint
Assignment and
Positive Steps
Self-test, reflection, analysis,
report (1000 words)
1 through 4
Weekly discussion/
response
12 weeks’ responses to
assigned topics
1 through 4
Exam
Multiple choice
1 through 4
Date /
Week:
% of
Final
Grade:
30
1,2,3,
7
4,5,6,
7,8,10,11
1,2,3,
Each wk 40
4,5,6,
7,8,10,11
1,2,4,5,6, 14
30
7,8,10,11
TOTAL: 100%
GRADING SYSTEM
The passing grade for this course is: ________
A+
A
A-
90-100
86-89
80-85
4.0
4.0
3.7
B+
B
B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
3.3
3.0
2.7
C+
C
C-
67-69
63-66
60-62
2.3
2.0
1.7
D+
D
57-59
50-56
1.3
1.0
Below 50
F
0.0
Excerpt from the College Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
The minimal consequence for submitting a plagiarized, purchased, contracted, or in any manner inappropriately
negotiated or falsified assignment, test, essay, project, or any evaluated material will be a grade of zero on that material.
To view George Brown College policies please go to www.gbrownc.on.ca/policies
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
PAGE: 4
TOPIC OUTLINE:
Week/
Module
1
2
3
4
5
6
Topic / Task
Outcome(s)
Content / Activities
Conquering
Through Science:
Development and
Globalization
1 through 4
Introduction to course.
Human relationship to
the planet. Are we
stewards or
plunderers? Myths of
infinite resources.
Rationality vs faith &
belief. How traditional
western science works.
Data collection,
experimentation, the
building of a theory
and its challenges.
Gene-Splicing. What
Genetic Engineering is
and how it is done.
GMOs, cloning for the
sake of health, art and
profit. Ethics of
Genetic Engineering.
Race as a cultural
rather than biological
construct. Eugenics
to erase diseases from
gene pool or to select
out ‘undesirables.’
Genocide in the name
of science.
High exploitation of
natural resources and
waste in the North.
High birth rate in the
South. Theories of depopulation and
ecological disasters.
Development of
plastics, disinfectants,
and pesticides for
health and
convenience.
Organochlorines and
their effect on
biosystems including
The Beginning of
the Universe:
Towards a
Theory of
Cosmogony
1 through 4
DNA: The
Double Helix and
Biogenetic
Engineering
1 through 4
Race and
Science:
Eugenics and the
Fallacy of Race
Population: Too
Many People or
Class Warfare?
1 through 4
1 through 4
Environment:
1 through 4
The Silent
Spring: Pesticides
and Poisons
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
Readings &
Assignments due
See online links for readings
in Mod. 1
DUE: your introduction in
Mod. 1 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 2
DUE: your response in
Mod. 2 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 3
DUE: your response in
Mod. 3 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 4
DUE: your response in
Mod. 4 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 5
DUE: your response in
Mod. 5 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 6
DUE: your response in
Mod. 6 discussion
PAGE: 5
7
8
9
10
11
12
Environment:
Paradise Lost:
Climate Change
and Ozone
Depletion
Environment::
Fish Gotta Swim:
Endangered
Species
Environment:
The Monsters
Within: Germs
and Microbes
War: Theories of
Violence
War: Star Wars
Dreams
Transformative
Visions:
human and animal life
Greenhouse Gases:
Natural and unnatural
processes affecting
climate. Damage to
ozone layer and effect
on planet’s ecology.
Salination,
desertification, water
and air pollution.
INTERSESSION WEEK
1 through 4 Oil Spills, overfishing
dumping airplane fuel,
killing endangered
animals for food and
fun. Anthropocentrism
and human greed.
Destruction of natural
habitat and
displacement of living
beings.
1 through 4 Infectious diseases
around the world; how
diseases are spread.
Antibiotics and
autoimmune
resistance: who
suffers the most and
why? Bacteriophages
and irradiation as
possible hope.
1 through 4 Scientific theories
addressing
psychobiological
propensity towards
violence and war. The
nature vs nurture
debate
1 through 4 Nuclear arms:
processing,
deployment, disposal.
Mining for uranium.
war and war exercises
responsible in
destruction of
ecosystems. Agent
orange and others.
1 through 4 Active promotion of
diversity and
1 through 4
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
See online links for readings
in Mod. 7
DUE: your response in
Mod.7 discussion
Also DUE: FOOTPRINT
& POSITIVE STEPS
ASSIGNMENT
See online links for readings
in Mod. 8
DUE: your response in
Mod. 8 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 9
DUE: your response in
Mod. 9 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 10
DUE: your response in
Mod. 10 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 11
DUE: your response in
Mod. 11 discussion
See online links for readings
PAGE: 6
Balance and
Peace through
Science
13
14
Transformative
Visions:
Indigenous
Science and
Wisdom
1 through 4
Exam
1 through 4
difference as the key to
a healthy planet.
Alternative and
complementary
technologies. What
Indigenous people
teach us about the
science of cultivating
diversity.
Philosophies and
practices for a healthy
planet. Creation
spirituality vs
transcendence
spirituality. Living in
harmony with others.
in Mod. 12
DUE: your response in
Mod. 12 discussion
See online links for readings
in Mod. 13
DUE: your response in
Mod. 13 discussion
DUE: Exam available last
week of School at St.
James campus
For information on withdrawing from this course without academic penalty, please refer to the
College Academic Calendar: http://www.georgebrown.ca/Admin/Registr/PSCal.aspx
COURSE NAME: The Science of Conquest : From Atoms to Stars
COURSE CODE: GSCI 1029
PAGE: 7