Spring 2014 quarter
- Faculty
- Kevin Francis History of science and technology
- Description
-
In the past century, ecology has denoted both a biological science and a political movement. Sometimes these two meanings converge, as in the ecologist Paul Sears’ call for conservation in The Subversive Science (1964). Many ecologists navigate the path between “objective” scientist and “political” advocate in their work as researchers, policy advisors, natural resource managers, teachers, and public intellectuals. What lessons does the history of ecology offer for current scientists? This course examines the parallel development of ecological science and environmentalism, with special focus on past and current controversies that compelled ecologists to enter the political arena. We will focus, among other issues, on how ecologists responded to destructive agricultural and forestry practices, environmental pollution, human population growth, species endangerment and extinction, and climate change. Students will engage this material through several brief essays on the seminar readings and a longer research paper on a scientific controversy.
Faculty Bio
Kevin Francis is a historian and philosopher of science, with particular interest in the development of the environmental sciences. Kevin studied biology and philosophy at Reed College. After graduating, he spent several years working as a wildlife biologist for Mt. Hood National Forest. His graduate studies at the University of Minnesota focused on history of science and medicine. His historical research concerns scientific efforts to understand the mass extinction of North American megafauna (e.g. mammoth, mastodon, giant ground sloth) around 12,000 years ago, especially the way that various disciplines approach this problem.
- Advertised Schedule
- 6-10p Mon or Wed
- Campus Location
- Olympia
- Online Learning
- Hybrid Online Learning < 25% Delivered Online
- Books
- Greener Store
- Undergraduate Credit Option
- Requires Faculty Approval
- Offered During
- Evening