The Science and Society modules encourage social studies and civics classes to examine the relationship between biology and democracy. This relationship is all the more interesting because democracy is inherently political in nature, while science is empirical . Democracy places power in the hands of the citizens through the exercise of majority rule while respecting minority rights. Science then presents democracy with ideas that have demonstrated their value through testing and experimentation.
Introduction to Science and Society Modules: This brief PowerPoint module (11 slides) is recommended to be shown to students before any Science and Society module is used in class. The presentation stresses that the modules take no positions on the questions posed by the particular module, but are meant to act as springboards to student discussions of those questions.
The Semmelweis Paradox is a module consisting of a Powerpoint presentation timed for a single class period, that examines resistance to new scientific discoveries in history. It examines the beginning of antiseptic techniques in the early 1800s and follows their implementation up until the present day. The presentation could be used as an introduction to a classroom discussion, or a writing or research assignment.
The modules are freely available for download.
See our glossary for the terms used in the modules.