HIS 4528-01 Women in Modern Science & Technology

HIS 4528-001 (Spring 2003) Dr. Jeffrey Johnson

Women in Modern Science & Technology SAC 440, X97404

MWF 11:30-12:20, Bartley 1010 Hrs.: 1-2:30 pm on Mon. &

Website: http://www11.homepage.villanova.edu/jeffrey.johnson/ Wed. and by appointment.

AIM OF THE COURSE: This course is designed to examine issues related to women and gender in modern science and technology. The course will consist of three major parts, in each of which we will use methods of social history, psychohistory, and the history of science and technology, with attention to feminist as well as other perspectives:

1) women and gender in modern (since 1600) scientific theories and research, as well as technological and medical practice (with attention to causes and consequences of differences in the perception of male vs. female bodies, minds, and activities)

2) women in modern scientific professions (professional career obstacles and opportunities, strategies for advancement, development of professional groups, networking, etc.)

3) women as creative scientific workers (analyses and case-studies of similarities and differences in styles and patterns between men and women; special problems confronting women)

MATERIALS: include the following books, plus reserve or on-line readings:

Londa Schiebinger, The Mind Has No Sex? Women in the Origins of Modern Science

Ruth S. Cowan, More Work for Mother: the Ironies of Household Technolog

Sharon B. McGrayne, Nobel Prize Women in Science

Mary Morse, Women Changing Science: Voices from a Field in Transition

WORK AND EVALUATION:

Attendance and discussions (15% of total grade): The class will meet three sessions per week for a combination of informal lectures, discussions of the current readings, and occasional student presentations (see below). Please read each assignment BEFORE coming to the class in which we will discuss it. This is not a class for passive listening; no participation = no discussion grade.

Papers (35%): Written work will include two 1-2 page short essays (5% total) and one 5-7 page paper (30%), on topics taken from one of the three major areas of the course, as specified in consultation with the instructor. Guidelines for evaluating papers will be discussed in class.

Oral presentations (10%): You will also present your essay findings in discussions, and your longer paper in a short (8-10 minute) oral report at the end of one of the three parts of the course.

Examinations (40%): a mid-term in-class essay (20%) and a final essay examination (20%).

Late work and make‑ups: In case you must miss an assignment or test, contact Dr. Johnson (preferably by leaving a message on his voice mail) BEFORE it is due. If you then provide an adequate WRITTEN excuse (such as illness -- travel plans that conflict with the final examination schedule will NOT be an acceptable excuse), you may make up the assignment without penalty within a week after you return; you will be penalized one letter grade for each additional week.

Plagiarism and cheating: WILL NOT be tolerated in any form. If you claim credit for work that is demonstrably not your own, this is plagiarism, and you will be disciplined according to Villanova's policy of academic integrity (normally an F on the assignment for a first offense). To give proper credit to others’ work in your papers, you must cite sources you use (guidelines to be discussed). If you are uncertain how to do this, please consult with Dr. Johnson BEFORE your paper is due.

OUTLINE AND READING SCHEDULE:

Week 1 (1/13-17): 1st Assignment: read at least 3 selections from http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/index.science.html

In a 1-page essay drawing evidence from any 3 or more of these profiles,

answer the question: "does gender matter in contemporary science and

medicine?" We will discuss the answers on Friday.

HIS 4528-001 (Spring 2003) Dr. Jeffrey Johnson

[Note: for convenience, the syllabus will also be posted on Dr. Johnson's website in HTM format, in order to facilitate use of the on-line links listed below]

Part One: Women as subjects and objects in science and technology (6 weeks)

Week 2 (1/20-24) Gender theories in ancient and medieval philosophy and religion

Mon.: Martin Luther King Day Holiday

Wed.: Catholic Aristotelianism: dominant views on nature and gender before the Scientific Revolution (Schiebinger, 160-170) (assignment for Friday: in a 2-page essay based on the on-line readings listed for Friday, evaluate the theories and evidence used to condemn Walpurga in 1587; we will discuss your answers on Friday)

Fri.: Terrors of a feminine nature: radical hermetic theories and witchcraft hysteria in early modern Europe: (Krämer & Sprenger, Malleus Maleficarum [Hammer of Witches] (1486 – Pt I, Question VI, on-line at: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/part_I/mm01_06a.html and following page; Pt II, Question I, Ch. VII, at: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/part_II/mm02a07a.html; Ch. XIII, at: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/part_II/mm02a13a.html and following page; Ch. XIV. at: http://www.malleusmaleficarum.org/part_II/mm02a14a.html; "Judgment on the Witch Walpurga Hausmännin " (1587; at: http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/vincent.carey/PrimarDocs/WitchJudgement.htm)

WITCHCRAFT ESSAYS DUE; GROUP ONE PAPER TOPICS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Week 3 (1/27-31) Nature, gender, & evolution in early modern scientific theories

Mon.: Redefinition of gender in nature and in science (Schiebinger, 119-159, 170-178)

Wed.: Gendered and racial views of anatomy in the 18th century (Schiebinger, 178-213; Schiebinger article on reserve [in Keller & Longino, ch. 9])

Fri.: Biology, race & gender in the 19th century (on-line: Patrick Geddes & J. A. Thomson, The Evolution of Sex (1889 & later eds.), excerpts at: http://oassis.gcal.ac.uk/teaching/historyweb/cdromteaching/WOMEN/meller/biology/text/mellor2.htm

and http://oassis.gcal.ac.uk/teaching/historyweb/cdromteaching/WOMEN/hannam/text/han10iii.htm; Charlotte Perkins Gilman, "The Yellow Wallpaper"; see http://www.kino-eye.com/yp/whyiwrote.html for Gilman's experience; http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/wallpaper.html for the story)

Week 4 (2/3-7) Women's scientific education and work in medieval and early modern Europe

Mon.: "Hildegard of Bingen" [film (VT2047 VHS); no reading]

Wed. "Science and gender with Evelyn Fox Keller" [film (VT2158 VHS); no reading]

Fri.: Academics vs. salons; aristocratic women and science (Schiebinger, ch. 1-2)

Week 5 (2/10-14) Women in craft & household traditions

Mon.: Women in scientific and medical crafts (Schiebinger, chs. 3-4)

Wed.: Early domestic technology (Cowan, ch. 1-2)

Fri.: Effects of the Industrial Revolution (Cowan, chs. 3-4)

GROUP 2 ESSAY TOPICS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Week 6 (2/17-21) In-class presentations, Part One

Mon.: Reports, group 1 (to be scheduled)

Wed.: Reports, group 1 (continued)

Fri.: Reports, group 1 (concluded)

Week 7 (2/24-28) Origins of 19th-century exclusion: "Complementary spheres"; In-class essay

Mon.: Theories of complementarity (Schiebinger, ch. 8)

Wed.: Review

Fri.: Midterm in-class essay (Feb. 28)

SPRING BREAK (3/3-7)

Part Two: From exclusion to integration in modern science and technology

Week 8 (3/10-14) Professionalization and the exclusion of women

Mon.: Women scientists as exceptions in a professionalizing landscape of science (Schiebinger, ch. 9) GROUP 1 ESSAYS DUE (Mon., 3/10)

Wed.: Scientific professionalism vs. feminism? (Schiebinger, ch. 10) FILM: "Angels and Insects" (place and time TBA [preferred Thurs. 6:30-9 pm])

Fri.: Origins of scientific training and professional organizations for women; the context of women's domestic work (Cowan, ch. 6; reserve reading TBA) GROUP 3 ESSAY TOPICS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Week 9 (3/17-21) Finding places to do science: cases from the early 20th century

Mon.: Radioactivity as a "niche field" (McGrayne, chs. 2-3, 6)

Wed.: German women in math and physical science (McGrayne, chs. 4, 8)

Fri.: Asian women in science and technology (McGrayne, ch. 11; reserve reading TBA)

Week 10 (3/24-28) U.S. women in science: changes since the 1960s

Mon.: Feminism, science education & politics (Morse, chs. 1-2, 6)

Wed.-Fri.: Gender, scientific styles & women's experiences (Morse, ch. 3; other reading TBA))

[guest speakers if available]

Week 11 (3/31-4/4) Group 2 reports

Mon.: Reports, group 2 (to be scheduled)

Wed.: Reports, group 2 (continued)

Fri.: Reports, group 2 (concluded)

Part Three: Women as 20th-century scientists: uncertainties of careers, recognition, family life

Week 12 (4/7-11) Biochemical, medical, & DNA research

Mon.: The Coris, Elion & Yalow (McGrayne, chs. 5, 12, & 14)

Wed.: British chemists: Hodgkin & Franklin (McGrayne, chs. 10 & 13)

Fri.: Barbara McClintock (McGrayne, ch. 7)

GROUP 2 ESSAYS DUE (Friday, 4/11)

Week 13 (4/14-16) The generations of the 1940s & later; where is the generation of the 1930s?

Mon.: J. B. Burnell, C. Nüsslein-Volhard, & the Americans (McGrayne, chs. 15-16; Morse, ch. 5)

Wed.: Group 3 reports begin (to be scheduled)

Fri.: Easter Holiday

Week 14 (4/21-25) In-class Presentations, Part Three

Mon.: Easter Holiday

Wed. : Reports, group 3 (continued)

Fri. : Reports, group 3 (concluded)

Week 15 (4/28-5/2) Will women change science? Concluding discussion & review

Mon.: Changing the workplace – and the home (Morse, ch. 4; Cowan, ch. 7 & postscript)

Tues. [=Friday this week]: Women and the future of science (Morse, chs. 7-8) GROUP 3 ESSAYS DUE (Tues., 4/29)

Wed. [=Monday this week]: Final discussion & review (no new reading)

Fri.: Reading Day (no class)

Finals Week (May 1-9) Final will be in Bartley 1010 (our classroom) from 1:30 to 4 on Saturday, May 3