COMMUNICATION INQUIRY 101E: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETIC ENGINEERING, SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION

SYLLABUS, FALL 2006

John F. Enwright III, MS 313

jenwright@austincollege.edu

Web page: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/jenwright/enwright.htm

Office phone: (903)813-2338

Office Hours: Monday 1:30-4PM, Friday 1:30PM-3PM, other times by appointment.

STUDENT LEADERS

Laura Ellington- Box 60640, phone: X2103

Malini Velamati- Box 61031, phone: X

CLASS TIMES: Lecture- MWF 10-10:50AM, MS 302

Evening (if applicable)- M 7-10 PM, room to be announced

CLASS OVERVIEW: This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of genetic engineering. We will examine both the science behind various forms of genetic engineering as well as discuss the moral and ethical issues that arise from this technology. In addition this course will be used as a means to introduce the student to the various resources available on campus (e.g.- how to use the library) and, hopefully, to show the student how to succeed in college.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Gale Group, The Ethics of Genetic Engineering, At Issue, Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002.

Gale Group, Genetic Engineering, Current Controversies, Greenhaven Press, Inc., 2002.

Bill McKibben, Enough: Staying Human in an Engineered Age, Owl Books, Henry Holt and Company, 2003.

OTHER READINGS: Various readings will be distributed in class or put on reserve in the library throughout the semester. You will also be responsible for keeping up on recent advances in science related to the content of the course. To do this you will be asked periodically to find an article from the popular press (e.g.- New York Times Science section, Time magazine, etc…), write a brief account of the article and be prepared to discuss it in class.

ATTENDANCE POLICY: Since this course will have frequent in-class discussions, it is essential that you attend every class. Though I will not take attendance at the start of every class, I will take attendance periodically. More than 5 unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. I do understand that emergencies can occur so if you miss class let me know why you weren’t there. I am a very reasonable person (though my wife may beg to differ). However, I will not accept excuses such as, “I had a really big test later on that day and had to study.” It is important that you learn to budget you time effectively to be successful in college.

We will also have periodic Monday evening sessions. You are required to attend these as well. If you have scheduling conflict let me know as soon as possible. The dates and number of these sessions will be determined during the semester. These sessions will be more casual; we may watch a movie about a topic we recently covered in class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: You are expected to adhere to the Austin College guidelines concerning academic integrity. In other words, DO YOUR OWN WORK!!!! It is acceptable (and encouraged) that students study together. However, certain assignments (e.g.- some written assignments) require you to do your own work. Though you may be sharing ideas in class, you are responsible for writing your own papers (unless otherwise specified). In addition, it is essential that you properly cite any references that you use in your written assignments. If you are unsure how to do this, please ask. Technically, improperly citing references is a form of plagiarism. So learn how to do it correctly now, and avoid future problems.

GRADING: Points will be accrued as follows:

What Total points

Current science article write-up (5 points) 5

Current science article oral presentation (5 points) 5

Selective breeding library search (5 points) 5

Selective breeding write-up (10 points) 10

Selective breeding oral presentation (5 points) 5

Website evaluation write-up (5 points) 5

Primary literature synopsis 5

Quiz on molecular genetics (10 points) 10

Group proposals (5 points) 5

Project outlines (5 points) 5

Written project introductions (5 points) 5

Literature cited (5 points) 5

Primary literature worksheet (5 points) 5

Science fact/opinion worksheet (10 points) 10

Class participation (10 points) 10

Group presentations (15 points) 15

Written projects (20 points) 20

Total possible points 130

Letter grade cutoffs will be at 10 percentage point increments. Therefore, students in the 90% range and above will receive an A, those from 80%-89% will earn a B, etc… Plus and minuses will be given when a student is within 3 points of the upper (a plus) or lower (a minus) cutoff. Remember, a C is an average grade in most classes. I will never “curve down” to a C so if the class does well you will not be penalized. I will also subjectively evaluate each student, with the subjective evaluation taking into account your overall class performance, especially during activities in the classroom. This is a great way to turn that B into a B+!

FALL 2006 CLASS SCHEDULE

DATE	LECTURE TOPIC	READING	ASSIGNMENT
8/30	Introduction to course; handout questionnaire
9/1	Facts/opinions worksheet; selective breeding; discuss questionnaire
9/4	Discuss facts/opinions worksheet; Mendel and his peas		hand in fact/opinion worksheet
9/6	Present current science (1-7)	Current science articles	hand in current science write-up
9/8	Present current science (8-13)	Current science articles	hand in current science write-up
9/11	Library introduction		meet in microcomputer lab, 1^st floor of library
9/13	Present current science (14-19)	Current science articles	hand in current science write-up
9/15	Darwin and the finches		hand in library search
9/18	Introduction to the web		meet in IT classroom (2^nd floor of library), find websites
9/20	Galton and eugenics, discuss readings	Readings on eugenics
9/22	Eugenics	Readings on eugenics	hand in website evaluation
9/25	Eugenics; discuss websites	Readings on eugenics
9/27	Selective breeding presentations (1-7)		hand in selective breeding write-up
9/29	Selective breeding presentations (8-13)		hand in selective breeding write-up
10/2	Selective breeding presentations (14-19)		hand in selective breeding write-up
10/4	Birth of molecular genetics, primary literature		hand in copy of class notes for the day (by 4:30 PM Thurs)
10/6	NO CLASS (FALL BREAK)
10/9	Modern molecular genetics
10/11	Academic skills center visit		meet in WCC
10/13	Molecular genetics quiz; transgenic plants and animals		hand in primary literature synopsis; Quiz on molecular genetics
10/16	Review molecular genetics quiz/transgenic plants and animals	Reading
10/18	Transgenic plants and animals	Reading
10/20	Discuss transgenic readings	Reading	Group proposals due
10/23	What is gene therapy, gene therapy readings	Reading
10/25	Small group discussion of proposal
10/27	Stem cell research	Reading	Outline due
10/30	Discuss readings on stem cells	Reading
11/1	Small group discussion of outline
11/3	Cloning	Reading	Introduction due
11/6	Cloning	Reading
11/8	McKibben readings; receive primary literature worksheet	McKibben pp.
11/10	Small group discussion of introduction		Literature cited due
11/13	McKibben readings	McKibben pp.
11/15	McKibben readings; discuss literature cited; receive science fact/opinion worksheet	McKibben pp.	hand in primary literature work sheet
11/17	Career services		Meet in Adams Center
11/20	McKibben readings	McKibben pp.
11/22	Science fact/opinion worksheets discussion		hand in science fact/opinion worksheet
11/24	NO CLASS (THANKSGIVING)
11/27	Student presentations		Individual drafts due
11/29	Student presentations
12/1	Student presentations		Drafts returned
12/4	Student presentations
12/6	NO CLASS
12/8	Final projects due by 5PM in my office		Final projects due