courses of instruction - Lafayette College

VALUES AND SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY SEMINAR
screening, human genome project, genetic
discrimination, in-vitro fertilization, em
bryo and fetal research, and patenting
animals and plants. In addition, students
evaluate social and political issues associat
ed with biotechnology such as use and mis
use of techniques, DNA fingerprinting, and
biological warfare. Mr. Majumdar
211. Oil, Politics, and the Environment.
Oil plays a significant part in global econ
omy, politics, and the environment. The
control of the oil market has caused wars
and conflicts. In addition to a brief review
of the geological formation, exploration,
drilling, production, and conversion of oil,
this course studies the paradoxical role oil
has played in shaping the economical and
social structure of both exporting and in
dustrial countries. The seminar considers
environmental concerns related to the in
crease in oil consumption and explores
possible controls, remedies, and alterna
tives. Mr. Tavakoli
212. Values and Technology in Gothic
Architecture. Students study Gothic
architecture and the related arts of stained
glass and sculpture as expressions of
medieval technology and societal values.
They consider the dependence of architec
tural developments on advances in medi
eval structural technology and the interde
pendence of societal values and techno
logical progress. M r. Van Gulick
213. Technology, Economics, and the
Environment. This seminar examines the
relationship between technology, eco
nomic growth, and environmental degra
dation. The seminar analyzes how im
provements in human living standards
resulting from technological progress af
fect the environment and the welfare of
future generations. Students also exam
ine how conflicts between human welfare
and the environment are resolved. Spe
cial emphasis is placed on public policies
and the role they play in fostering eco
nomic growth and improving the health
of the environment. Prerequisite: Eco
nomics 101. Mr. DeVault
215. Technical Literacy. This seminar
helps students understand the role tech
nology plays in our society and prepares
them to form their own opinions about the
social, political, economic, and ethical
questions associated with technological
advances. Issues discussed include energy
(alternative sources and conservation),
genetic engineering, the environment
(pollution control and prevention), and
microelectronics (computers and the infor
mation age). Mr. Schaffer
216. Materials in Art and Technology.
Materials have played a determining role
in the human way of life since its begin
nings, as evidenced by the time periods of
early progress based on the materials
used the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages.
Even though not fully appreciated, it is
still the case today. This seminar deals
with the development of an understand
ing and appreciation of basic properties of
materials as well as the processes used to
manufacture them into useful objects. Em
phasis is on the common applications of
materials and their use in art and technol
ogy. Mr. Uz
217. Darwinism: An Interdisciplinary In
quiry. This seminar explores the perva
sive impact of Darwinism and the concep
tual order it implies on major areas of hu
man thought and endeavor: biological
science, literary humanism, and social sci
ence. It also considers the relation of these
modes of inquiry to one another and ad
dresses questions about choices and val
ues. Mr. Lusardi
218. Technological Development in the
Third World. This seminar investigates
technological development within third-
world countries and the necessary resourc
es for sustained development, including
education, natural resources, location, and
population. Technological transfer from
outside the third world is addressed, along
with trade and international aid. The semi
nar focuses on culture, governments, eco
nomics, and other country-specific topics
that affect technological development.
Mr. Ruggles