Critical Social Inquiry 0208 - Bioethics: Gender, Race, and Science

Is race biological? Does the gendered brain exist? How are our social and natural sciences structured by social norms? How do our institutions of medicine, agriculture, technology, psychology, etc. function through and as colonial practices? We often take for granted that race and gender are socially constructed in terms of political meaning. In this course, we will learn to think about the social role in the construction of science and scientific claims through exploring the intersections and interplay of gender, race, sexuality, science and medicine. In our readings, lectures and discussions, we will investigate the roles of science, medicine and technology in defining and redefining sex, gender, race, and sexuality; uncover the ways cultural beliefs about social identities shape science, medicine, and technology; and study the efforts by feminist philosophers, philosophers of race, and queer theorists to reveal and challenge the cultural norms that influence scientific knowledge and institutions. Keywords:Philosophy, Race, Ethics, Science, Medicine

In/Justice The content of this course deals with issues of Race and Power Students should expect to spend 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time. Books: Title: The Gender and Science Reader Author: Ed. Muriel Lederman and Ingrid Bartsch ISBN: 0415213584 Cost: $6 (used) - $42 (new)