UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Women Studies 485 (5 credits)/Physics 428 (3 credits)

URL: http://weber.u.washington.edu/~olmstd/mwse

e-mail: wost@u.washington.edu

Issues for ethnic minorities and women in science and engineering:

Spring 1999: Mondays & Fridays 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Public Lectures: Physics A-114

Class meetings: Physics B-109

 

Course Home Page

Public Lectures

SCHEDULE

The schedule presents the dates of our classes and the topics that will be covered. Classes in which the first hour of the class will consist of a lecture by a visiting speaker are indicated by an asterisk (*); those which include a panel of local speakers are indicated by double asterisks (**); and those in which students can make presentations by bullets (•). Each student is expected to lead a class presentation. Students will choose a topic from among those topics marked by bullets (•), or a related topic to be approved by the instructors. Each student will select one of the topics for her/his presentation session. Students will work in groups for these presentations.

Each class involving an outside speaker or panel will be written up by a team of two students in a form that can be linked to this site. The student(s) responsible are listed by initials below.

The schedule lists date, topics, and who is responsible for that segment (in parentheses) . In dates in which there is an "A" and a "B" segment there will be either a difference of speakers, of room, or of discussion format. The dates are organized around the three parts of the course: Introductions & Overviews, Issues and An agenda for action

 

INTRODUCTIONS AND OVERVIEWS

March
 M 29
  1. Introduction, Review of syllabus (MO/AG) Explain the goals and mechanics of the class, provide introductions to each other and to speakers. Clarify definitions of women (vs. gender, feminine, feminist) & ethnic minorities (vs. race, "protected," under-represented). Which groups are included in stats, in this course.
  2. B. Web tutorial: weber.u.washington.edu/~rells/RSSO/index.html/ (MO)
    [Initial sign up for web summaries]

April
F 2*
LS,JW
  1. The status of women in science and engineering (Mary Frank Fox)
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; structural underpinnings of current status.
    [Distribute list of topics for student presentations]

M 5*
KS,DS
  1. The status of ethnic minorities in science (Shirley Malcom)
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; historical/current/future perspective.
    [Sign up for class presentations]

F 9

    Discussion of content and method of readings on status of ethnic minorities & women; sorting facts, statistics, anecdotes; sorting solutions vs rhetoric (MO/AG)

    [Assignment of class presentation topics]

M 12**
VM,AW
  1. History of U of Washington’s women and ethnic minorities in Science since 1970 (Helen Remick)
  2. Student discussion on what learned about ethnic minoritites and women in science on campus and on their exploration of "numbers

F 16**
RW,?
  1. Changes in our lifetime (Ingrith Deyrup-Olsen and Eugene Cota-Robles)
  2. Climate at the professional level (MO)
  3. Statistic Assignment Due
 

ISSUES

M 19**
LH,EM
  1. Classroom interventions (Panelists Patricia McGowen and Paula Heron)
  2. Climate at the student level (AG)

F23 ** •
VG,MS

  1. Non-curricular interventions: (Panelists Suzanne Brainard, Pat Stayton)
  2. Student presentations on tracking, gender and ethnic differences in achievement, access to technology, segregated learning environments, research opportunities, mentoring. (Students-RW,VG)

M 26 • •

  1. Student presentations on climate at the professional level: nepotism rules; minority environment; NRC Postdoc; Swedish fellowship, Baltimore Charter, etc. (Students-MS,NM,TF)
  2. Student presentations on climate at the student level: GI Bill; self-support; student-parents; high-school preparation, classroom environments, culture of science (Students-DH,LSch,JW)

F 30•
  1. Student presentations on mentoring networks, financial aid, professional access, social and cultural capital, stereotypes about scientists and engineers. (Students-KS,LH,KK)
  2. Summaries by AG and MO on other climate issues.

May
M 3**•
  1. Beyond the Ivory Tower: Panel discussion from local industries and government labs (Local Panel)
  2. Student presentations on the work and lives of ethnic minority and women scientists and engineers. (Students-LSw,VM,AW)

F 7*
KK,LSw
  1. Teaching styles and learning styles: The case of engineering (Karan Watson)
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; similarities and differences among various groups of students.

M 10*
EE,JK
  1. Actions of the majority affecting ethnic minorites and women: The case of engineering (Taft Broome)
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; responses and actions taken women and ethnic minorities
 

AGENDA FOR ACTION

F 14*

  1. Policy issues -- National level (Daryl Chubin; introduced by Pres. Richard McCormick) "Human Resources for Science, Technology, and the Nation: National Policies, Local Actions"
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; impact of various policies on various populations and on various disciplines
  3. Personal Reflection Due

M 17** •

  1. Policy issues -- Local impact of changes in national and local laws and guidelines (Affirmative Action, I-200): State legislator, university lobbyist, university administrator. (Local panel)
  2. Student presentations on impact at the University level of all recent laws and guidelines. (Students-EM,DS,JK)

F 21
  1. Case study of local impact of changes in national and local laws (TBA)
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk; impact of on their state & comparison with U. of Washington.

M 24** •
DH,?
  1. Transferrability of Solutions: The MIT report and the UW (TBA)
  2. Discussion and student reports on issues at the local level and possible Agenda for Action at the UW. (Students)

F 28
NM,TF
  1. "Progress for Women: Lessons from California and Elsewhere," Laurel Wilkening
  2. Discussion with speaker on talk -- issues of affirmative action, women in science and administration
  3. Policy Memo Due

June
F 4

    Finalize the Agenda for Action by doing an overall assessment and ranking of Priorities (MO/AG/Students)

June
M 7
    Final Projects Due (Women 485)