courses of instruction - Lafayette College

offered in the spring semester, a few will
be offered in the fall.
200. Computers and Society. This course
examines the computer's cultural context:
the managerial, political, legal, ethical,
psychological, and philosophical implica
tions of computing. The laboratory focus
es on the World Wide Web. Lecture/labo
ratory. Mr. Schwar, Mr. Jouny
202. Appropriate Technology for Devel
opment. The dogma of development that
planners and policymakers worldwide
have adhered to during the past 30 years
emphasizes the acquisition of moderniz
ing technologies in developing countries
at the expense of other concerns, including
evidence dealing with cultural patterns
and resistance to technical change. Al
though this approach is not inherently
good or bad, it is crucial for policymakers
in poor countries, as well as sponsors in
rich nations, to examine the full range of
benefits and costs that such technologies
entail. This seminar explores the ongoing
debate about which technologies are ap
propriate and which methods are best for
their importation and use. Mr. Ahem
204. Science and Literature. Science of
fers an objective description of the uni
verse while literature is imaginative,
mythic, and personal. Yet science turns on
literary and imaginative ways of thinking
while literature shapes our knowledge,
fears, and hopes for science. This seminar
looks at these "two cultures," with special
attention to biology. Ms. Walls
205. Water and Society. The use of water,
a basic resource critical for life and social
development, has rapidly increased as so
cieties have grown in scale and technolog
ical sophistication. Water needs and de
sires impose difficult demands upon the
earth's resources and require societies to
confront "quality of life" issues related to
environmental degradation and future
economic growth. This seminar, taught in
two sections, looks at a range of historical
and contemporary topics involving water
supply and quality on a regional, national,
VALUES AND SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR
and international scale. Field trips to sites
and facilities in the greater Easton region
supplement readings, videos, and class
room discussions. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Lennertz
206. AIDS: A Modern Pandemic. This
seminar discusses the AIDS epidemic in
the context of American society. Topics in
clude the epidemiology of the virus, meth
ods of limiting transmission, various drug
therapies, and prospects of a vaccine. The
history of the pandemic is discussed as
well as questions involving the allocation
of social resources and the rights of indi
viduals versus the protection of the public
health. Prerequisite: Biology 101, or per
mission of instructor. Mr. Yuster
207. Evolution: Science and Society.
An inquiry into the theory of evolution
through natural selection and its impact
on the natural sciences, social sciences,
and humanities. Students examine Dar
win's writings and modern-day approach
es to the study of evolution and critically
evaluate "creation science," discussing
whether it is indeed a legitimate science
and therefore should be taught in schools.
The seminar also considers the relevance
of natural selection to understanding
human behavior, constructing societal
norms, and evaluating contemporary
ethical issues. Ms. Hill
208. "Evaluating" Medical Technologies.
This seminar teaches students about the
multiple levels on which medical technol
ogies are evaluated. Students learn about
particular aspects of evaluation, such as
safety, risk assessment, and experimenta
tion on humans. Students also explore the
limits that are imposed on the evaluation
of medical technologies and why this soci
ety is fascinated with medical technology.
Mr. Lammers
210. Societal Issues and Implications of
Genetic Engineering. This seminar ex
plores recent developments in recombi-
nant DNA technology and examines its
consequences in relation to human health,
society, agriculture, and the environment.
Topics include human gene therapy, genetic