BIOLOGY 940 WOMEN IN SCIENCE

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course will address the historical aspect of women in science as well as current philosophical feminist approaches to science.  The changing roles of women in science as influenced by women's place in society will be examined and discussed.  Current theories of feminist science will be studied and analyzed.  The epistemology of feminist theory as applied to scientific theory will be explored.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  This course is designed to provide students with a historical perspective of the changing roles of women in science.  Students will:

• Understand the relationship of science to society.
• Critically assess the changing philosophical traditions of science.
• Analyze contributions of women in all branches of science.
• Understand the significant contributions of women in science throughout history.
• Recognize contributions of current female scientists.

Science and Society Objectives:

• Understand definition of scientific knowledge.
• Articulate methods for obtaining scientific knowledge.
• Relate societal changes to acceptance of scientific knowledge.
• Relate societal changes to acceptance of women in scientific roles.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Ancient Greeks
• Greek Women in Science
• Church/early western
• Dark Ages/Eastern adv.
• Women of early Europe
• Reformation
• Rise of Science
• Women of the Reformation
• Focus on: Sophia Brahe
• Women of the 17^th/18^th century
• What is Knowledge
• More on Kant
• Women of the 19^th century
• Focus on : Einstein's wife
• What is Science
• 20^th century science
• Feminist Science
• Women of the 20^th century

Women in Science today