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 Stirrup Conundrum is a module consisting of readings and worksheet materials. The module examines the technical expertise of the Roman Empire, specifically the Roman Army. The module asks students to question why the Romans resisted the adoption of so simple a device as the stirrup, even as they faced increasing pressure from masses of nomadic cavalry troops.
The modules are freely available for download.
See our glossary for the terms used in the modules.