Course Calendar - last update 3/19/07
This calendar below describes
the topics of each class meeting, reading assignments, paper due dates and
project due dates.
Readings will from the text, articles from the literature, newspapers, and
sites on the Web. This calendar will be updated from time to time as the course
unfolds. Readings associated with a particular date should be
completed before you come to class. Discussion papers are due in class
on the date of discussion of the topic.
| Date | Class Topic | Readings and Assignments Due |
| 16 Jan | Introduction to the Course - Context; Definition of Science, Technology & Public Policy | |
| 21 Jan |
HOLIDAY - Martin Luther King day |
|
| 23 Jan | No class meeting | |
| 28 Jan |
Institutional context of S&T policy - Organizations and processes at the federal level
|
The Congressional
Appropriations Process http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/97-684.pdf Also:
http://www.theusgov.com/
Consult the Web; get an understanding of congressional committees |
| 30 Jan | No class meeting |
Watch President's State of the
Union Address on the evening of 28 January Email to the instructor on 30 Jan a pair of bulleted lists that summarize the most important issues discussed by the President in the State of the Union address that relate to a) policy for science (e.g. regulation of stem cell research) and b) science for policy (e.g. plans for research or technology development that will inform future policy such as research in sequestration of carbon). Each list should have at least four subjects, and should succinctly describe the Prez's message. |
| 4 Feb |
Discuss State of the Union address Institutional context of S&T policy - Organizations and processes at the federal level - continued Case Study: Federal management of one technology: High Performance Computing & Communications |
Same readings as for 28 Jan |
| 6 Feb | Discussion: Should genetically modified foods be banned? |
Read: Text, pages 217-235 Discussion topic paper due Instructors suggestions for good writing of discussion papers |
| 11 Feb |
Federal funding of research - basic and applied - who funds what in the current federal budget. Who does the research? |
Review AAAS Analysis of FY08 Budget |
| 13 Feb |
Industrial Research and
development. Sematech as an example of government intervention
Scientific method |
Sematech: http://www.sematech.org |
| 18 Feb | Discussion: Should Intelligent Design & Evolution be taught on an equal footing in school? |
Search Web for readings.
Make sure to understand the distinction between "creationism" and
"intelligent design"
Discussion topic
paper due |
| 20 Feb | Energy: Overview of the sources, types and uses of energy |
PCAST:
The Energy Imperative: Technology and the Role of Emerging Companies -
read the Executive Summary United Nations: World Energy Assessment - read the Overview |
| 25 Feb |
Energy - continued End to end system -- production, distribution and consumption of gasoline |
|
| 27 Feb |
Discussion:
Should the U.S. convert to a hydrogen economy?
|
Read: Text, pages 116-136 Also: P. Domenici, Powering the Future, The Bridge, National Academy of Engineering, Summer 2002. 18-22 H. Payne, D. Katz, Will Hydrogen End Our Fossil-Fuel Addiction? Taking Sides-Environmental Issues, 11 ed., T. Easton, McGraw-Hill, 2006. 156-167Discussion topic paper due |
| 1-9 Mar | Spring Recess | |
| 10 Mar | Energy research - Carter years and today's opportunities | |
| 12 Mar | Discussion: Is it time to revive nuclear power? |
Read: Text, pages 95-115 Also: M. Adams, “Sustainable Energy from Nuclear Fission Power,” The Bridge, NAE, Winter 2002. 20-26 M.S.Y. Chiu and J.R. Dyer, Licensing, Design, and Construction of the Yucca Mountain Repository, The Bridge, NAE, Fall 2003. 18-25Discussion topic paper due |
| 17 Mar | Introduction: Stem cell research - promises, opportunities | Robert Paarlberg, "The Great Stem Cell Race," Foreign Policy 148 (May-June 2005): p44(8). |
| 19 Mar | Discussion: Should stem cell research be restricted? |
Read: Text, pages
359-381 Note that this article is not precisely on the subject of your
paper. Discussion topic paper due |
| 24 Mar | Privacy and ethics |
|
| 26 Mar | Discussion: Does the use of surveillance technology threaten privacy? | Read: Text, pages 304-319 Read: Excerpt from The Transparent Society by David Brin Discussion topic paper due |
| 31 Mar | U.S. Innovation Enterprise |
Read: Exec. Summary of
Preparing for the Gathering Storm. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11463.html Facing the Global Competitiveness Challenge, Issues in Science and Technology, Summer 2005 (find on Web) Technology paper due |
| 2 Apr | Global warming | Read selectively from: Intergovernmental Panel on Global Warming:
Climate Change 2007 - The
Physical Science Basis - summary for policymakers Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned A classmate cited an on-line video: The Great Global Warming Swindle |
| 7Apr | Should society act now to reduce future global warming? |
Read: Text, pages 70-94 Discussion topic paper due |
| 9 Apr | Polar Icebreaker Ships & Science |
|
| 14 Apr | Should manned space exploration be continued? |
Read: Text, pages 268-281 Discussion topic paper due |
| 16 Apr | Auctions of Spectrum and Sustainability - guest speaker: Tom Jones |
The Way Forward project is due Read The Bidding Game |
| 21 Apr | Project presentations | |
| 23 Apr | Project presentations | |
| 28 Apr | Last Class - Project presentations | |
| 1-9 May | Final examinations - No final exam in this class |