A World On The Edge Philosophical Perspectives on Contemporary Science A Wofford College Learning Community Christine Sorrell Dinkins: Steve Zides:

Wofford’s Learning Communities A curricular approach that links two disparate classes, often science and humanities, around an interdisciplinary theme, and enrolls a common group of students.

Theme of Our Community In these linked courses, we explored philosophical questions that arose as we studied the science relating to potential cataclysmic or apocalyptic events.

Course Outline I) Dangerous Scientific Endeavors Nanotechnology, Artificial intelligence, Genetic Engineering, High-Energy Physics II) Warfare and Weapons Biological, Chemical, Nuclear III) Over-population and Over-consumption Power, Greenhouse Effect/Ozone Depletion, Global Warming, Waste IV) Non-human-made Events Comets, Super-Volcanoes, Alien Invasion V) Being Human Beyond Earth Surviving in space, Planetary colonization

Integrating the two halves Coordinated daily readings Dual instructor interaction: comments and questions Experiential, hands- on learning Creative assignments

Course Syllabus DatesTuesdayThursdayLab Week 8 March Creative Assignment on Power Due - Global Warming Articles - Government Control and Overpopulation Articles - Weston Ch. 5 Nuclear Power Plant visit Week 9 March Superquiz 3 - Paper 3 Due - Asteroids and Comets - Zubrin Ch. 7 - Other External Events - Nietzsche story Landfill Exploration

Experiential Learning

Creative Assignments: Goals Examine course material from new angles Practice creative thinking, because being a good citizen of the planet requires creative thinking! Find own, personal connection to material Try persuasion through humor, provocation, fear, and other emotions Integrate science and philosophy issues in one work

Creative Assignments: Options Poems Photo Collage Political Cartoons Letters to the Editor Television Commercials Sketch Artwork and/or Sculpture

Creative Assignments: Evaluation Criteria How well does the project demonstrate an understanding of the issues and viewpoints from textual materials and class discussions? How well does the project convey its point to the reader? Does the project demonstrate imagination and creativity?

Creative Assignments: Technology Accessible technology (PowerPoint, Publisher, Photoshop, Digital photography) Non-technology assignments must still be uploaded to course server Theme of course – technology as ally Electronic portfolio contains all students’ work for the semester

Final Group Presentations Project Clean-Up Recycle Man

A World On The Edge Philosophical Perspectives on Contemporary Science A Wofford College Learning Community Christine Sorrell Dinkins: Steve Zides: