Current Issues in Human Genetics Spring 1998 Module 1 Selby 12 M, W 7:30-9:00 Gilchrist (HAN 42) Office Hours: 9:30-11 Tu; others by appt phone 359-4377, email gilchris@virtu.sar.usf.edu Text: Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications by Ricki Lewis
Genetics issues intrude daily into our lives. Ideas such as cloning, gene therapy, bioengineering, and prenatal diagnosis are a common part of our vocabularies. We will discuss these ideas framed with an overview of general genetics. No specific science background is assumed for this course. Students are expected to have computer accounts (these can be obtained at the computing center).
Evaluation for this discussion oriented seminar is based on two items: a comprehensive journal and a presentation. The journal will include a short summary of a weekly current article from a newspaper/newsmagazine, observation experiment on pdedigrees* and exercises on Native American Genetics, minute discussions, bibliography for presentation, and self-evaluation. The presentation can be in the form of a panel discussion, poster, enactment, or a similar mode. Depending on the size of the class, these will be presented during CLASS TIME the last week of class. SINCE THIS CLASS IS IN THE EVENING, THERE IS A TENDENCY TO "SKIP". PLEASE PLAN ON PARTICIPATING IN ALL CLASS SESSIONS. All work is due the Friday before break by 5 pm EST.
The following is a tentative outline of material for discussions. Changes can be made if the class wishes to alter topics.
| WEEK
1 |
Topic
introductions to group discussions selected group discussions-heart, diabetes, alcohol overview of human development see www.noah.cuny.edu/providers/mod.html (this is not a well constructed site so be patient) |
suggested
reading
part one |
| 2 | Do classical
genetics inform current ideas?
Deciding sex? |
part
two
research and discuss genetics and intelligence |
| 3 | Gene function and disfunction--right to privacy | part three |
| 4 | A blink in time-why do humans appear to "dominate"? | part four |
| 5 | What price
cancer?
optional field trip to Mote Thursday |
part five |
| 6 | All that jazz-genetics in the household | part six |
| 7 | Presentations |
*handout will be given explaining observational experiment
Schedule for Presentations
Human Genetics Class---each presentation should be about 15-20 minutes.
Wednesday 11 March
Sara---Fragile X or Tourette Syndrome
Jessica H.--Thalidamide in AIDS Research
Peter, Darius, Fanny--Albinism
Josh-Gene knockout
Paul, Rachel, Wendy, Charles--Privacy issues
Monday 16 March
Jessica and Paul--Genetics in Agriculture
Sara, Laura, Patricia--Eugenics and Beauty
Arabena and Carrie--Madness and genius/DNA fingerprinting
Mark and Julia--Survey of ideas on genetics
Jessica--brochure on genetics
Wednesday 18 March
Brad and Rachel--debate
Elizabeth, Kari, Peter, Vijay, Candi, and Laetitia--genetics science fiction video
Melissa and Erik--Genetic anomalies in circus performers
Complete student evaluations for the class on Wednesday