STSS
6960: When
Knowledge Worlds Collide
SAGE 5711
Instructor:
Ron Eglash
Spring
2009, M 10:00-12:50PM
Course objectives:
Students will
have a basic understanding of epistemological comparison, in particular
comparing world views from indigenous knowledge systems (eg Native Americans),
vernacular knowledge systems (eg urban teens), and professional knowledge
systems (eg scientists and engineers). They will learn different theoretical
frameworks for viewing how differing knowledge systems can be put into
conversation with each other, explore case studies on impact of such
conversations on "the politics of knowledge" (environmental, medical,
legal, educational, etc.), and devise strategies for steering a course between
the Scylla of relativism and the Charybdis of objectivism.
To contact
instructor:
Office Hours:
Monday 1-3 and by appointment, 5502 Sage. Email: eglash@rpi.edu, phone:
276-2048. Course webpage: http://www.rpi.edu/~eglash/eglash.dir/wkwc/wkwc.htm
Requirements:
There are
three requirements: the weekly class discussions (which include a couple of
assignments plus the weekly agenda described below), three short (6-8 pages
double spaced) “reading reaction” papers, and a final research paper, which
will also be the subject of your oral presentation (requiring visuals such as
power point) on the last day. The syllabus is divided into three sections, and
the short reading papers are due at the end of each section (due dates are
2/17, 3/30, 4/30. Agenda items for discussion are required for participation
credit; they should be entered at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dcg4dt9h_3vtqcfwgm&hl=en.
The final research paper is 10 pages minimum; it should apply the concept of
clashing “knowledge worlds” to a research area of your interest.
While ideas
are available to everyone, credit for ideas, and the particular text used to
express them, belongs to their originator. Plagiarism occurs when a student
attempts to pass the ideas or words of someone else as their own (cf. http://www.google.com/search?q=define:PLAGIARISM).
It is surprisingly easy to do. For example, students who are not writing in
their first language will sometimes try to use a sentence from another written
text, simply because they are worried about their grammar. Plagiarism also
occurs when a quotation is reworded in an attempt to avoid citation—always make
sure the sources of your quotations are specifically cited. The internet makes
plagiarism particularly tempting, since you can copy and paste from the web to
your paper. Recycling your own paper from another course would not be
plagiarism, but it would be academic dishonesty and thus subject to the same
penalties. Plagiarism will result in failing the course (a grade of “F”).
Special Needs
Please
contact me if you have special needs such as disability or religious holidays.
Texts:
Articles are in library reserve unless otherwise indicated; Books are as
follows:
·
Mooney,
Chris. The Republican War on Science.
·
Epstein,
Steve. Impure Science. U. of California Press, 1996.
·
Nader, Laura. Naked Science.
·
Eglash, Ron. African Fractals. Rutger’s
University Press 1999.
Course
Schedule:
1/12: Introduction
Assignment:
produce a design using one of the tools at http://www.rpi.edu/~eglash/csdt.html.
Save the design (make sure you save using the applet’s “save” button and not
the save button on your browser), write a brief (one paragraph) statement about
it (could be about the learning experience, the cultural connection, an STS
analysis, whatever comes to mind), and present both in class. For Rhythm Wheels and Break Dancer examples,
save as instructed on line, and bring your laptop to class. For other examples
you can either bring a laptop with the example saved, or email a copy to the
instructor. To email, press the “print screen” (often abbreviated “PrtSc”)
button on your keyboard. Then use “paste” in the edit menu in Microsoft word.
That should allow you to save the image of your design, which you can then
email to eglash@rpi.edu. Just let me know
if you need help with any of this. Reading to accompany this: http://www.ccd.rpi.edu/Eglash/csdt/teaching/papers/aa.2006.108.2.pdf
1/19 no class
1/26
Just how much of a constructivist are you?
Hacking,
Ian. The Social Construction of What? Assignment: Hacking Pg 99 provides
a test to score ourselves on three features of
constructivism (contingency, nominalism, external explanations). Score
yourself, and be prepared to explain your scores to the class.
2/2 Material-Semiotic Hybrids
Pickering,
Andrew. The mangle of practice : time, agency, and science. Chicago : University
of Chicago Press, c1995
2/9 Multiple
Objectivity
2/17 (Tuesday)
The new science wars part 1:
Chris Mooney,
The Republican War on Science. Don’t forget first paper is due today!
2/23 The
new science wars part 2: Evolution vs. Intelligent Design
Fuller, Steve. “Rebuttal of Dover Expert Reports,”
Fuller, Steve. “Citizen Science: Cultivating a Life
in STS”
Fuller
on Mooney http://crookedtimber.org/2006/03/27/if-there%e2%80%99s-a-war-please-direct-me-to-the-battlefield/
Laird, Frank. "Total
Truth and the Ongoing Controversy Over the Teaching of Evolution"
Boffey,
Philip. "Evolution
Wars Revisited."
3/2 Paradigm Wars
·
Scott
Gilbert, “Cellular Politics: Ernest Everett Just, Richard B. Goldschmidt, and
the Attempt to Reconcile Embryology and Genetics.” In Ronald Rainger, Keith
Benson, and Jane Maienschein (eds.), The
American Development of Biology (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University
Press, 1988). Pp. 311-346.
3/9 no class (Spring Break)
3/16 Public Understanding vs Expertise
Epstein,
Steve. Impure Science. U. of California Press, 1996.
3/23 Alternative
Science in Energy and Environment
Hess, David. Alternative Pathways in Science and
Industry. MIT Press 2007.
Part III: Science and its Others
3/30 Cross-cultural Comparison 1: relativism
Turnbull,
David. Masons, Tricksters and Cartographers: Comparative Studies in the
Sociology of Scientific and Indigenous Knowledge. NY: Routledge 2000. Don’t
forget second paper is due today!
4/6 Cross-cultural Comparison 2: anthropological
perspectives
Nader, Laura. Naked Science
4/13 Simulation in cross-cultural comparison 1
·
Lansing, Priests and Programmers.
4/20 Simulation in cross-cultural comparison 2
Eglash, Ron. African Fractals
Optional: http://www.csdt.rpi.edu/african/African_Fractals/
4/27 Aliens vs. Earth!
·
Butler,
Octavia. Dawn.
·
Haraway,
Donna, "The Biopolitics of Postmodern Bodies: Determinations of Self and Other
in Immune System Discourse," Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The
Reinvention of Nature. New York: Routledge, 1991, pp.203-230.
·
Optional:
read remainder of Haraway book.
5/1 Final paper due, no class meeting