Co-taught with Kory Perigo
Fall 2009
Download the syllabus
Superficially, the study of biology and art occupy two distinct hemispheres of inquiry, separated by a chasm too large and deep to cross. However, practitioners in these areas require the same abilities: keen powers of observation; desire to understand; aptitude for experimentation; and creating new ways of understanding. This course illustrates and explores these conceptual and practical intersections between biology and art, providing opportunities to demonstrate the proximity between these seemingly disparate fields. We employ various learning practices (including lecture, laboratory, writing and kinesthetic experiences) to elucidate the principles of the course. You’ll engage in scholarly research, learning how to use the internet and the library to write argumentative essays that cross the chasm between biology and art.
Course text
Kolbert, E. 2006. Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change. Bloomsbury USA, 240 p. Note that this is the UW Common Book for the 2007-2008 academic year.
Maimon, EP et al. 2005. The New McGraw-Hill Handbook. McGraw Hill, 984 p.
Selected readings by authors such as Plato, Dante, Gould and Kuhn.
Assignments
Journal
Every day during lecture, discussion and sometimes even workshops, we’ll ask you to reflect on your work. You will record these reflections in your journal.
Art Pieces
Visual Piece. Re-envision the results of simulations you run to understand the different mechanisms of evolution by using different symbols to represent different outcomes of the computer game.
Literary Piece. Explore one of the chapters in Kolbert’s Field Notes from a Catastrophe.
Performance Piece. Work with a team to bring your literary pieces to the stage. You will perform for the class (and possibly a few visitors).
Research Portfolio
Practice conducting the research necessary to write a college-level research paper. You’ll identify a topic that unites biological and artistic thinking, and, through a series of concept maps, analysis of library sources, and lots of revisions, you’ll narrow that topic into a arguable claim.
Exams
Two midterm exams offer opportunities for you to pull together what you’ve learned through your readings and through class sessions.