Explore the nature of ‘science’ and the human and structural factors that shape its practice, impact, and human drama. This course deeply reads three foundational texts:
- James Watson’s “The Double Helix” (1968): A first-person unfiltered memoir of DNA discovery, fame, success, and the pursuit of truth.
- Tracy Kidder’s “The Soul of a New Machine” (1981): A look at what it takes to invent, build, and manufacture a new mini-computer, exploring money, office politics, and ingenuity.
- John Carreyrou’s Bad Blood (2018): The cautionary story of Theranos, Silicon Valley start-ups, scientific fraud, and deceptively promising technology.
Deep read foundational texts that capture the human drama behind scientific breakthroughs. Gain understanding of human and institutional structures that shape modern science.
ISF 110 002 satisfies requirements for the Science Technology, and Society (STS) Minor and the Philosophy and Values L&S Breadth requirement. It may also satisfy a declaration requirement or a Course of Study requirement for ISF majors.