Calderwood Seminars

The Calderwood Seminars are intended primarily for junior and senior majors in the field (or in some cases affiliated fields--check with the faculty member if you are unsure). They are designed to help students think about how to translate their discipline (e.g. art history, biology, literature) to non-specialists through different forms of public writing. Depending on the major, public writing might include policy papers, book reviews, blog posts, exhibition catalog entries, grant reports, or editorials. Students will be expected to write or edit one short piece of writing per week.

 

Course:	BIO 432  Calderwood Seminar: Distilling Biotechnology
Professor:	Brooke Jude
CRN:	90063	Schedule:	Tue      2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Reem Kayden Center 111
Distributional Area:		Class cap:	12
Credits:	4

Tissue and organ generation, CRISPR genome editing, creation of synthetic genomes and use of modified viruses to cure deadly disease are all current biotechnological advances that only a few decades ago would have read as science fiction. These technologies developed in the lab are quickly being envisioned and applied to treating wicked problems, those that have no current universal solution. However, with these technologies come a flip side to the coin, a need for caution and care in designing experiments, evaluating data, and even execution of the technology. Deep ethical concerns exist for these technologies. This course will examine these 21st century realities, with a critical eye to addressing the boundaries of ethics, and how these boundaries may be tested by biotechnological innovations. Students will be required to read current and cutting edge primary literature, as well as learn to gather evidence for both sides of these arguments, using the scientific literature as the base. The focus of the class will be on student generated writing, peer review and editing, and clear communication with others. This course will require weekly meeting of assignment deadlines, and constructive peer editing in the production of many writing pieces pitched at a variety of audiences. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, moderation into biology, or permission of the instructor. The Calderwood Seminars are intended primarily for junior and senior majors in the field (or in some cases affiliated fields--check with the faculty member if you are unsure). They are designed to help students think about how to translate their discipline (e.g. art history, biology, literature) to non-specialists through different forms of public writing. Depending on the major, public writing might include policy papers, book reviews, blog posts, exhibition catalog entries, grant reports, or editorials. Students will be expected to write or edit one short piece of writing per week.

 

Course:	REL 349  Death and Dying
Professor:	Dominique Townsend
CRN:	90701	Schedule:	Thurs     9:20 AM - 11:40 AM Olin 304
Distributional Area:	MBV Meaning, Being, Value	Class cap:	12
Credits:	4

The pandemic has brought us face to face with pervasive death & dying and the sense of helplessness it can bring. Buddhist literatures pay a great deal of attention to the inevitability of death—arguably Buddhism’s main concern. Many Buddhist practices are designed to help people approach the process of dying pragmatically by introducing meditative techniques and philosophical perspectives that reframe more typical ways of coping with death. Such methods do not discount the fear and pain of loss. In this course we will develop practices for writing about death & dying for public audiences, taking Buddhist literature as our starting point.