Time Schedule:
Joanne D Woiak
HIST 490
Seattle Campus
Examines special topics in history.
Class description
"Biology, Society, and Human Diversity": explores episodes in the history of the biological and social sciences focusing on nature vs. nurture debates. Science makes authoritative claims about social issues such as gender roles, sexuality, racial differences, and disabilities. The prevalent theories and practices include intelligence testing, eugenics, pre-natal genetic testing, evolutionary psychology, and research on sex hormones, behavior, and cognitive differences. We will study these historical and contemporary examples of biological determinism, critiquing the evidence on which they are based and their political and ethical implications for social justice and diversity issues.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures and discussion.
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites.
Class assignments and grading
Response papers and short essays.
