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Instructor: J. Elizabeth Clark, Ph.D.
Office: E-103 CC / E-mail: lclark@lagcc.cuny.edu / Phone: 718.482.5665 Catalog Description for LIB 200: Science, Humanism and Technology The Liberal Arts Seminar explores aspects of the relationship between humanism, science and technology. The course deals with such questions as: What does it mean to be a man or woman in a world of machines? Are the values we cherish in conflict with those imposed on us by mechanization? The course probes these and other issues in class discussions based on selected readings; student seminar reports and papers; attention to current developments as covered, for example, in The New York Times; and trips to various museums. Section Description for LIB 200.1465: The Cultural Studies of Medicine Since the earliest of times, humans have interacted with their environment to try and make their lives easier. With inventions like the wheel and the lever, humans have tried to master their world through technology, bringing intellect and innovation to the creative process as they solved problems. The intersections of science, humanism, and technology are pervasive in our history: from architecture to space travel to warfare, human history can be explained as varying attempts, successes and failures to master the physical world. Perhaps nowhere is this more important than in discussions of medicine. Through medicine and science, humans are on an ever-changing quest to perpetuate and extend life. In this course we will explore the “Cultural Studies of Medicine” as a locus for the intersections between American innovation, American science, American technology and American democracy. As a class, we will read and discuss issues pertaining to the practice of medicine as a cultural act, one which at times combines, complicates, and/or ignores the intersection of humanism and technology. We will look at the ways in which “medical” issues come to carry larger symbolic significance as part of the cultural conversation about nationhood, rights, and the very question of the American democratic tradition. Required Course Materials (available in the bookstore)
Grading
Course Expectations: How to Be Successful Students often ask me, “how can I do well in your course?” Success in college shouldn’t be a mysterious experience of trying to learn how to do well. Instead, you should expect that by doing certain things, your writing will improve. At this point in your college career, you are approaching graduation, so I'm sure you already have an extensive list of practices that make you successful in your student life. Here's a quick overview of some practices I advise. I hope you find that you and I are on the same page. I suggest you make a regular practice of the following things: Office Hours: I have office hours every week. This time is set aside for you to come by, show me work, ask questions, and to get assistance. This is your time and I love to talk with you about our class. Ask, Ask, ASK! Building on “office hours,” I want you to ask anytime you have a Language Immersion: Many LaGuardia students are lucky enough to speak several languages. Polylingualism is a special gift! One of the best ways to become a better writer is to immerse yourself in language as much as possible. Read newspapers and internet sites in English. Listen to the news in English. Talk with your friends and family—as much as possible—in English. Writing Practice: The more you do something the better you get. You might, in your spare time, be an athlete. How much time do you spend practicing to get better? I am a musician and I spend many hours practicing scales and pieces of music that give me trouble. The more I practice, the better I get! So, using this same idea, you should think about writing as something you need to practice. In your spare time, you might keep a journal, try IMing or e-mailing using the skills we have practiced in class. The more you can apply what we study, the better you will get! This course is writing intensive, so I will expect that you are comfortable and expressive in your written thought. Writing Center: Much like my notes on “writing practice” and “studio,” you’ll find that by stopping by the Writing Center in E-111 for extra tutorials, you’ll be continuing to practice your writing. You can visit the writing center up to 3 times a week for extra assistance. At the Writing Center you can work on essays for this course, the development of your writing skills, and grammar exercises to target specific areas of difficulty. The Writing Center is often perceived as a site for assisting students with "Basic Skills." While that is true, the writing center is also open and available to helping you with your more advanced assignments. Study Groups: You might want to get a small group together, about 4-5 of you. You can meet each week to review class notes, assignments, and to help one another with your courses (for those of you with busy schedules, you can also meet in cyberspace. Our BlackBoard course site can accommodate small groups, so let me know if you would like me to set this up for you.). Studying: Even if you don’t form a study group, you should spend time reviewing what we cover in class. You should re-read the texts I assign in class. You should actively review the notes you take in class. And, when something is confusing, you should seek out the answers to your questions! Being Prepared: The absolute key to doing well in college is showing up where you are supposed to, when you are supposed to, with everything you are supposed to have! If I assign reading, make sure you’ve done it. If you have an essay due, plan your time so that you can visit office hours and the writing center to perfect your essay. Plan ahead and be prepared! POLICIES AND PROCEDURES In order to ensure your success in this course, please review the policies and procedures listed below. Classroom Distractions: Always be fully prepared for each class; always be prepared to engage classroom activities with intellectual and creative curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. I assume that you’re here because you want to be! In general, I assume that you will, at all times, engage in college-level behavior. However, from time to time, students sometimes engage in behavior that is distracting to me and to others in the classroom. These distractions might include: forgetting your textbook, text messaging during class, talking while someone else has the floor, exhibiting a disrespectful attitude towards a member of our community, forgetting to turn off your cell phone before class begins, and other distracting behavior. I also understand that we all make mistakes once in a while. So, for your first classroom distraction, I’ll offer you a friendly warning. The next time, I’ll take 2 points from your final grade. The third and each subsequent time, I will take 5 points from your final grade for each classroom distraction. There’s one exception to this. If you fall asleep in class, I’ll take 10 points off of your final grade: every time. To be frank, this is my least favorite part of the syllabus. However, I want to make sure that our class is a productive environment for everyone. So, this policy is meant to demonstrate that I am serious about this class and about students who want to be in class and who want to do the work. Come to class prepared and engaged and you won’t need to worry about losing points here. Attendance: If you’re not here, you miss out on the rich discussion and activities that will comprise the core of our time together. So, in order for you to do well in this course, you need to be in class prepared and ready to work. Everyone has emergencies, illnesses, and personal reasons that interrupt the work of the semester. However, if you miss class, you are missing the content that we cover in class and in a class that relies heavily on participation, that affects your performance in class. An absence is defined as missing a class period, whether it is the one hour or two hour class meeting. So, for your 1st absence, I will take 1 point from your final grade. For your second absence, I will take 2 points from your final grade. For the third, and each subsequent absence, I will take 5 points from your class grade for every absence. After 6 hours—not sessions—of class absence (that’s two weeks of classes!), you fail the course automatically, as per LaGuardia’s attendance policy. Please be advised that being late to class 3 times equals 1 hour of classroom absence. I look forward to seeing you in class and on time each day. If you arrive to class more than 30 minutes late, you are welcome to stay and work, but you will be marked absent for the day. College’s Statement on Pluralism (please see the college catalog): LaGuardia Community College has a very diverse student population consisting of people who celebrate different genders, languages, cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, religions, classes, sexual orientations, and abilities. As part of this college community, you now have the responsibility to learn and respect many different traditions and ways of living. The classroom will play an important role in your process of learning about difference. In accordance with the college’s statement of pluralism, I ask you to demonstrate and reflect respect for differences expressed by your fellow students within this course and throughout your college career. Students with Disabilities: Please let me know if you are registered with the Office of Students with Disabilities. Academic accommodations are granted for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Late Work: It is your responsibility to contact me about missed work. All assignments are due on the date assigned. Unless prior arrangements are made, late work or missed assignments are not accepted. If prior arrangements are made, late work will be penalized 5 points per day until the assignment is completed. Exams: Students who miss an in-class essays, exams or quizzes without giving Dr. Clark prior notice will not be allowed to make up the work. Academic Honesty: All students of LaGuardia Community College are responsible for preparing and presenting original work. In accordance with the college’s policy on Academic Integrity, the penalty for papers which are plagiarized and any cheating during exams is grounds for immediate course failure. Please refer to your college catalog for a more complete discussion of Academic Honesty. Picking Up Work: If you miss your final class meeting with me, I will keep all of your written work for one semester after your course with me. After one semester, I will recycle all student work left in my office. Please refer to the Course Calendar for all assignments and due dates. Photo Credits |
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J.
Elizabeth Clark, Ph.D. (lclark@lagcc.cuny.edu)
 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Site Credits: This site was last updated on 13 May 2009. Site designed and maintained by J. Elizabeth Clark. Technical Assistance provided by Delwar Sayeed and Priscilla Stadler. |
