LIT 3312: Genre Course in Prose Narrative:
Scientific Biography and Autobiography
Through a careful and critical reading of a selection of scientific biographies and
autobiographies, we will discuss the following questions: Are scientists different from "the rest
of us"? Do they see themselves and their work as extraordinary, typical, or odd? Does an
examination of their own accounts of their lives reveal telling information about the nature of
their intelligence, creativity, imagination, social skills, ethics, selflessness or selfishness? Is it
possible to trust scientists' views of their own "great discoveries" or do they believe their own
publicity? Do we "dare" challenge their ideas? Do we "dare" challenge ourselves to learn
"the truth" about science and what is at stake?
The course materials will be organized into thematic groups, including: the "race" for
DNA and the dynamics of scientific communities; the nature of individual genius; the
experience of women and ethnic minorities in science.
TEXTS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION:
- Watson, James. The Double Helix (Norton)
- Sayre, Anne. Rosalind Franklin and DNA (Norton)
- Crick, What Mad Pursuit: A Personal View of Scientific Discovery
- Feynman, Richard. Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman (Bantam)
- Keller, A Feeling for the Organism
- Salber, The Mind is not the Heart
- Manning, Black Apollo
- Kanigel, The Man Who Knew Infinity
ADDITIONAL TEXTS FOR PAPER or EXTRA CREDIT REPORTS:
*** You may seek permission from me to use other choices on a case by case basis.
- Wilson, E.O., Naturalist
- Christianson, G. Fox at the Wood's Edge (about L. Eiseley)
- Ajzenberg-Selove, Fay, A Matter of Choices: Memoirs of a Female Physicist
- Gleick, Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman
- Lovell, J. Apollo 13
- *** Films/videos about science and scientists may also be used for extra credit. ***
EX: Infinity (due out soon), Apollo 13, Day One (Oppenheimer), Einstein, Edison, etc.
GRADED WORK: Each area worth one-third of total grade.
- 1 FORMAL PAPER (5-7pp), comparing optional text to course readings OR journalist-style
write-up of interview of working scientist.
- 1 EXAM, midterm OR final, student's choice.
- ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: includes discussion, quizzes, extra credit.
CLASS CALENDAR
wk 1: R. Jan.9:
Intro. to Course: Structure, Expectations, Definitions.
Example of scientific autobiographical writing: The case of Loren Eiseley.
THEME 1: Portrait of a Functional-Dysfunctional Scientific Community and
The Race for DNA
wk 2: R. Jan.16:
Watson, James. The Double Helix (Norton)
wk 3: R. Jan 23:
Sayre, Anne. Rosalind Franklin and DNA (Norton)
wk 4: R. Jan. 30:
Crick, What Mad Pursuit
wk 5: R. Feb. 6:
Quiz?; Video of "Race for DNA"
THEME 2 [Example 1]: The Character of Individual Scientific Genius
wk 6: R. Feb. 13:
Feynman, Richard. Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman (Bantam)
wk 7: R. Feb. 20:
Video on Feynman. REVIEW for MIDTERM; Instructions for PAPER
wk 8: R. Feb. 27:
MIDTERM or PAPER DUE
[UNIT 2]
THEME 2 [Example 2]: The Character of Individual Scientific Genius
wk 9: R. Mar. 6:
Keller, A Feeling for the Organism; Comparison of Feynman and Keller
wk 10: R. Mar. 13: ** SPRING BREAK--NO CLASS **
THEME 3: The Experience of Women and Ethnic Minorities in Science
wk 11: R. Mar. 20:
In-class activity on biographies of Women in Science.
wk 12: R. Mar. 27:
Salber, The Mind is Not the Heart
wk 13 R. Apr. 3:
Manning, Black Apollo (first half)
wk 14: R. Apr. 10:
Quiz?; Manning, Black Apollo (second half)
wk 15: R. Apr. 17:
Kanigel, The Man Who Knew Infinity (first half)
wk 16: R. Apr 24:
Kanigel, The Man Who Knew Infinity (second half)
REVIEW for FINAL; Instructions for PAPER
(Note: No class on R. May 1st)
R. May 8:
FINAL (Unit) EXAM 2:00-3:15 pm, over weeks 9-16.
PAPER due in classroom at 2:00 pm sharp!
Last updated: May 27, 1997
Course Descriptions
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