23017. Forbidden Knowledge
Throughout recorded human history, the acquisition of new knowledge through scientific discovery or technological invention has confronted human societies with ethical dilemmas. Students in this class will encounter these quandaries of the human condition by studying religious, literary, philosophical and scientific texts. The texts selected for this course explore the changing attitudes at various moments in history towards the need to forbid or control knowledge. Attitudes towards nature and the acquisition of knowledge in the Middle Ages, the origin of the scientific method in the 16th century as well as current issues in genetics will be explored from the perspectives of various disciplines.
This may be completed as a two- or three-course connection. Effective with the Class of 2010, a two-course connection must link courses from at least two different areas, a three-course connection must link courses from three areas.
Connections:
History
Hist 285 History of Science to the Scientific Revolution.
Humanities
Ger 262 The Morality and Fate of Forbidden Knowledge
Natural Sciences
Bio 211 Genetics