First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-2)
Instructors
Christopher W Kuzawa
847/467-4302
1810 Hinman Ave., Room #A63, EV Campus
Kuzawa is a biological anthropologist and epidemiologist with interests in evolutionary theory and health. He conducts fieldwork in collaboration with a large 40-year study in the Philippines, which has tracked multiple generations across their lives. Topics that his research addresses include the importance of early life adversity on adult health, the intergenerational and epigenetic determinants of health, the hormonal changes that accompany fatherhood, and the energetics and evolution of the human brain. He is Professor of Anthropology, a Faculty Fellow in the Institute for Policy Research, Director of the Health Inequality Network and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Meeting Info
ANTHRO Sem Rm 104 - 1810 Hinmn: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM
Overview of class
ecent advances in genetic analysis have opened up new opportunities to examine how genes influence our health and our potential, and to investigate our family roots. Although these are revolutionary advances, the scientific implications of genetic research are not always as straightforward as press releases and media coverage imply; and in some domains genetic research raises thorny new ethical and other societal questions. In this discussion-based seminar, we will critically read several recent books that tackle various dimensions of the social lives of our DNA, augmented by additional scientific, popular and journalistic readings. We will address questions that sit at the interface of genetics and society, such as: How do our genes really influence our health? What are the problems with the concept of genetic race, and why do scientists who study race describe race as a social construct? How do new genetic approaches help us dig deeper into our ancestries, and what are the societal and ethical implications of those approaches? Readings for this class will not require specialist knowledge of biology or genetics, but will benefit from a curiosity about science and a willingness to engage in critical analysis and discussion.
Class Materials (Required)
We will read the majority of the following books. More detailed information was circulated via email on January 3. The books can be purchased or will be made available as copies or pdfs as an alternative.
Svante Paabo, Neanderthal Man (Jan 12 & Jan 17)
Alondra Nelson, The Social Life of DNA (Jan 19 & Jan 24)
Dorothy Roberts, Fatal Invention (Jan 26, Jan 31, Feb 2)
Kathryn Paige Harden, The Genetic Lottery (Feb 7, Feb 9, Feb 14)
Doudna and Sternberg, A Crack in Creation (Feb 21, Feb 23, Feb 28)
We will also incorporate recent/current newspaper, op-ed and other short pieces to augment our main readings. These other readings will be made available as pdfs or as web links posted on the course Canvas web page and will announced by email or in class prior to that class session.
Class Attributes
WCAS Writing Seminar