ClassInfo - Spring 2020 Philosophy Classes

Spring 2020 | PHIL 4607 Section 001: Philosophy of the Biological Sciences (65729)

Instructor(s): Alan Love
Class Component:: Lecture
Credits:: 3 Credits
Grading Basis:: Student Option
Instructor Consent:: No Special Consent Required
Instruction Mode:: In Person Term Based
Meets With:: PHIL 5607 Section 001
Times and Locations:: Regular Academic Session

01/21/2020 - 05/04/2020

Tue, Thu 02:30PM - 03:45PM

UMTC, West Bank

Blegen Hall 135
Enrollment Status:: Open (36 of 38 seats filled)
Also Offered:: (Tentative) Spring 2023

Course Catalog Description:: Biology dominates the landscape of contemporary scientific research, and yet "biology" consists of a variety of different disciplinary approaches: from protein biochemistry to field ecology, from developmental biology to evolutionary genetics. Many philosophical issues can be found in the concepts and practices of life science researchers from these different disciplines. What is the structure of evolutionary theory? What is a gene? What are the units of selection? What is an individual? What counts as a "cause"? What is the relationship between evolution and development? Are all biological phenomena reducible to genes or molecules? What are adaptations, and how do we identify them? What is an ecological niche? Is there a progressive trend in the history of life? Is there such a thing as 'human nature'? This course is an introduction to these and other related issues in the biological sciences with an emphasis on their diversity and heterogeneity. It is designed for advanced undergraduates with an interest in conceptual questions and debates in biology that are manifested across a variety of majors (e.g., animal science; anthropology; biochemistry; biology, society and environment; biosystems and agricultural engineering; chemistry; ecology, evolution and behavior; genetics, cell biology and development; microbiology; neuroscience; physiology; plant biology; psychology). Some of these issues will appear familiar from previous coursework or opportunities, whereas new issues will be intriguing because of their similarities and differences with those that have been encountered in other contexts.
Class Notes:: Conceptual questions abound in biology: What is a gene? What are the units of selection? What is an individual? What counts as a "cause"? Are all biological phenomena reducible to genes or molecules? What is an ecological niche? Is there a progressive trend of increasing complexity in the history of life? Is there such a thing as 'human nature'? This course is an introduction to these and related issues, designed for curious students of all majors.
Class Description:: Contemporary biology is growing faster than almost any other branch of science and yet many philosophical issues arise in the midst of the concepts and practices of life science researchers. Besides those that receive routine play in the media (what is 'intelligent design'? what is 'Darwinism'?), there are a variety of issues of interest. What is the structure of evolutionary theory? What are the units of selection? What is the relationship between evolution and development? Are all biological phenomena reducible to genes? What are adaptations, and how do we identify them? Is there a progressive trend in the history of life? Is there such a thing as 'human nature'? This course is an introduction to these and other philosophical issues in the biological sciences with an emphasis on how these ideas have emerged and developed through history.
Who Should Take This Class?:: This course is designed for anyone with an interest in conceptual questions and debates in biology that are manifested across a variety of majors (e.g., Animal Science; Anthropology; Biochemistry; Biology, Society and Environment; Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Chemistry; Ecology, Evolution and Behavior; Genetics, Cell Biology and Development; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Physiology; Plant Biology; Psychology). I do not assume that you have any previous exposure to the material we will be covering.
Learning Objectives:: All of the assignments for this class are writing oriented because the goal is to synthesize and critically reflect on the philosophical issues raised in our discussions. At the end of the class you will be positioned to pursue further reading and research on the topics covered. Additionally, you will possess new analytical skills and recognize the value of philosophical investigation into the concepts and practices of the life sciences.
Grading:: 55% Reports/Papers
15% Written Homework
5% Attendance
20% In-class Presentations
5% Class Participation (Other Grading Information: Written homework corresponds to the questions submitted for class discussion.)
Exam Format:: n/a
Class Format:: 45% Lecture
45% Discussion
5% Student Presentations
5% Web Based
Workload:: ~50 Pages Reading Per Week
~15 Pages Writing Per Term
3 Paper(s)
1 Presentation(s)
24 Homework Assignment(s)
Other Workload: Homework assignments consist of generating a single question from the readings for the designated class session. (Not every class session will have this requirement.)
Textbooks:: https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/65729/1203
Past Syllabi:: http://classinfo.umn.edu/syllabi/aclove_PHIL4607_Fall2017.pdf (Fall 2017)
Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:: 10 April 2017

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