Human Dilemmas: Living Downstream

Offered through the Human Biology Program, this service-learning course will be co-taught with Dr. Lisa Sideris of Religious Studies in Spring 2013. Human Dilemmas employs case-based investigation of biological processes and integrates multiple disciplinary perspectives to consider social and ethical dimensions of the human condition and the construction of scientific knowledge. Emphasis is placed on logical interpretation of data and on effective communication of evidence and claims. Taking the theme "living downstream," our offering of this course will focus on the intersection of human health and environmental sustainability. We will consider the causes, consequences, and solutions to the human body burden of chemicals in our environment. We will examine the rise of the "chemical economy" and its penetration into diverse aspects of human life, including food systems, buildings, landscaping, energy systems, and material goods. We will evaluate the science of chemical effects on human and ecological health and development, consider the ethical dimensions of these impacts, and explore alternative ways of designing our life systems for health and sustainability..