WGS 300 1 - Gender & Race in the Sciences

We hope the science student who has not necessarily been exposed to women’s studies, the women’s studies student who does not really think of her/himself as a scientist, and any student interested in the ways that gender, race, and the physical sciences intersect and affect our daily lives, will find these readings as enlightening as we have. Historically, students have been taught that science is free of the subjective, that proper use of the scientific method ensures a degree of objectivity. In the 1970s (and even earlier as our case study will reveal) feminist philosophers and academicians turned their gaze toward this assumption in a two-pronged approach. Part of their, and our, project involves examining the difficulties women and people of color have had in the professional science fields and to call attention to those who have been active but not adequately acknowledged. Another aspect of concern to us, like the feminists, is scientific study itself and the ways that gender and race bias can influence the interpretation of such “objective” practice. We have designed this course to be fully interactive; we want to foster a classroom atmosphere that is honest and respectful and that facilitates open discussion among students and instructors from diverse personal and academic backgrounds. No prerequisite.