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SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS

Voyage: Summer 2013

Discipline: Biology

BIOL 1559-101: Scientific Literacy: Ripped from the Headlines

Division: Lower

Faculty Name: Melissa A. Henriksen

Pre-requisites:

None. This course is appropriate for science and non-science majors.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Scientific literacy is a critical skill in the 21st century, with enormous implications for public policy.

Decisions about space exploration, healthcare funding, climate change, potential pandemics and so many other topics demand a public able to understand scientific concepts and methods. In this course, we will consider scientific literacy in the US and around the world. We will read, discuss and write about science that is currently in the popular media. Topics will include 1) the FBI’s anthrax investigations, 2) personalized medicine via cancer genomics, 3) the anti-vaccine phenomenon, 4) NASA’s announcement last year of a new life form, 5) the new science of epigenetics, and 6) colony collapse of honey bees. Media coverage of these topics will be viewed, read or listened to. This will be used as a jumping-off point for the subsequent discussion of corresponding piece(s) of the scientific literature. The scientific literature will be presented and discussed in class. The written component of the class will include essays synthesizing the discussion of the media coverage and the scientific literature. A field lab to a science museum in Lisbon, Portugal will be incorporated.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course goals are that the students will 1) come to understand how science is performed, presented and peer-reviewed in the literature, 2) learn to critique media coverage of science and 3) examine how scientific literacy impacts opinion (public and personal) and public policy. We will consider how science, media coverage of science and the public’s interaction with science compares in different countries.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

NONE

FIELD WORK

Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciencia Viva, in Lisbon Portugal

Ciência Viva, as the Portuguese National Agency for the Scientific and Technological Culture, is engaged in

promoting Scientific Literacy among young people and the public-at-large. They pursue this, not only through their

Ciência Viva Science Centers Network, but also working closely with schools, universities and the scientific

community.

We will visit the Science Centre, the Pavilion of Knowledge. This visit will include:

. a visit to the exhibitions

. a behind the scenes tour

. and a sharing of ideas with the Head of Education, Science and Culture.

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In addition, two other staff members will give presentations on their outreach work: Margarida Suarez, and the

education officer responsible for the senior citizen engagement, Claudia Velhas. The Staff will return to the MV

explorer with us so we can give them a tour of the ship and discuss the S@S study abroad program.

Journal writings and participation in the discussions throughout the day will be graded.

METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC

Grading will be based on:

Fieldwork (20%)

Attendance, Participation, Journal Reflections

Four Written Responses (40%)

Three will be “synthesis essays” of about a page (ss, one inch margins, 10 point font) that refer to the

assigned readings and media and that synthesize the science, media and public relationships in that

particular module.

One must be a peer-review exercise (see the provided template for how to do this) on either the arsenic,

epigenetics or bees module primary literature paper. Just one of the assigned papers should be reviewed.

Essays are typically due on day three discussion, peer-review is due on day that paper will be discussed.

In Class Participation (30%)

Attendance, evidence that the reading was done, thoughtful responses to questions and comments

Final exam (10%)

See Schedule for more detail about assignments. Late assignments lose a letter grade per class day.

ELECTRONIC COURSE MATERIALS

These materials will be available in the Course Folder on the ship’s intranet. Science and Media PDF selected chapters 1-3, 4 & 9. ANTHRAX MODULE Media

FRONTLINE: The Anthrax Files

“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE BIOLOGICAL THREAT - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE BIOLOGICAL THREAT - SOME EXPERTS SAY U.S. IS VULNERABLE TO A GERM ATTACK - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/30/us/nation-challenged-biological-threat-some-experts-say-us-vulnerable-germ-attack.html?scp=17&sq=anthrax&st=nyt&pagewanted=1.

“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE INCIDENTS - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE INCIDENTS - Anthrax Found in

NBC News Aide - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/13/nyregion/a-nation-challenged-the-incidents-anthrax-found-in-nbc-news-aide.html?scp=87&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.

“A NATION CHALLENGED - THE OVERVIEW - A NATION CHALLENGED - THE OVERVIEW - Letter Containing

Anthrax Sent to U.S. Senate Leader - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/16/us/nation-challenged-overview-letter-containing-anthrax-sent-us-senate-leader.html?scp=169&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.

“Florida Man Is Hospitalized With Pulmonary Anthrax - NYTimes.com.” http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/05/us/florida-man-is-hospitalized-with-pulmonary-anthrax.html?scp=29&sq=anthrax&st=nyt.

Primary Literature

“NAS Report.pdf.” National Academies Press

Review of the Scientific Approaches Used During the FBI's Investigation of the 2001 Anthrax Letters CANCER MODULE Media

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World Science Festival: Cancer’s Last Stand “Genetic Test Changes Game in Cancer Prognosis - NYTimes.com.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/health/genetic-test-changes-game-in-cancer-prognosis.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper.

“In Gene Sequencing Treatment for Leukemia, Glimpses of the Future - NYTimes.com.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/health/in-gene-sequencing-treatment-for-leukemia-glimpses-of-the-future.html.

“New Frontiers of Cancer Treatment Bring Breathtaking Swings - NYTimes.com.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/09/health/new-frontiers-of-cancer-treatment-bring-breathtaking-swings.html.

Primary Literature

Parsons, D Williams, Siân Jones, Xiaosong Zhang, Jimmy Cheng-Ho Lin, Rebecca J Leary, Philipp Angenendt,

Parminder Mankoo, et al. 2008. “An Integrated Genomic Analysis of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme.” Science

(New York, N.Y.) 321 (5897) (September 26): 1807–1812. doi:10.1126/science.1164382.

“Cancers Selected for Study - TCGA.” http://cancergenome.nih.gov/cancersselected. VACCINES MODULE Media

FRONTLINE: The Vaccine Wars

“Medical Journal Retracts Study Linking Autism to Vaccine - CNN.” http://articles.cnn.com/2010-02-02/health/lancet.retraction.autism_1_andrew-wakefield-mmr-vaccine-and-autism-general-medical-council?_s=PM:HEALTH.

“Retraction of an Interpretation. [Lancet. 2004] - PubMed - NCBI.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15016483.1. “Retracted Autism Study an ‘Elaborate Fraud,’ British Journal Finds - CNN.com.”

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/05/autism.vaccines/index.html. Primary Literature

Wakefield, A J, S H Murch, A Anthony, J Linnell, D M Casson, M Malik, M Berelowitz, et al. 1998. “Ileal-

lymphoid-nodular Hyperplasia, Non-specific Colitis, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Children.” Lancet

351 (9103) (February 28): 637–641.

Horton, Richard. 2004. “A Statement by the Editors of The Lancet.” The Lancet 363 (9411) (March 6): 820–821.

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15699-7. ARSENIC MODULE Media

“NASA Announcement LIVE: New Life Form Discovered (VIDEO).” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/nasa-announcement-live-ne_n_791166.html.

NASA-Funded Research Discovers Life Built With Toxic Chemical

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/astrobiology_toxic_chemical.html

“NASA Scientists Say They Have Found New Form of Life on Earth | Al.com.” http://blog.al.com/space-news/2010/12/nasa_scientists_say_they_have.html.

“Microbe finds arsenic tasty -

NYTimes.com.”http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/science/03arsenic.html?pagewanted=all. “New Science Papers Prove NASA Failed Big Time In Promoting Supposedly Earth-Shaking Discovery That Wasn’t -

Forbes.” http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewherper/2012/07/08/new-science-papers-prove-nasa-failed-big-time-in-promoting-supposedly-earth-shaking-discovery-that-wasnt/.

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“New Studies Rebut Finding That Arsenic May Support Life - NYTimes.com.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/science/new-studies-rebut-finding-that-arsenic-may-support-life.html?partner=rss&emc=rss.

Primary Literature (*chose only Reaves or Erb papers for peer-review)

Wolfe-Simon, Felisa, Jodi Switzer Blum, Thomas R Kulp, Gwyneth W Gordon, Shelley E Hoeft, Jennifer Pett-

Ridge, John F Stolz, et al. 2011. “A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus.” Science

(New York, N.Y.) 332 (6034) (June 3): 1163–1166. doi:10.1126/science.1197258.

Reaves, Marshall Louis, Sunita Sinha, Joshua D Rabinowitz, Leonid Kruglyak, and Rosemary J Redfield. 2012.

“Absence of Detectable Arsenate in DNA from Arsenate-Grown GFAJ-1 Cells.” Science (New York, N.Y.) (July 8).

doi:10.1126/science.1219861. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773140.

Erb, Tobias J, Patrick Kiefer, Bodo Hattendorf, Detlef Günther, and Julia A Vorholt. 2012. “GFAJ-1 Is an Arsenate-

Resistant, Phosphate-Dependent Organism.” Science (New York, N.Y.) (July 8). doi:10.1126/science.1218455.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22773139.

EPIGENETICS MODULE Media

NOVA: Ghost in your Genes

“Epigenetics, DNA: How You Can Change Your Genes, Destiny - TIME.” http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952313,00.html. Primary Literature (*chose one of these papers for peer-review)

Dolinoy, Dana C, Dale Huang, and Randy L Jirtle. 2007. “Maternal Nutrient Supplementation Counteracts

Bisphenol A-induced DNA Hypomethylation in Early Development.” Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences of the United States of America 104 (32) (August 7): 13056–13061. doi:10.1073/pnas.0703739104.

Heijmans, Bastiaan T, Elmar W Tobi, Aryeh D Stein, Hein Putter, Gerard J Blauw, Ezra S Susser, P Eline

Slagboom, and L H Lumey. 2008. “Persistent Epigenetic Differences Associated with Prenatal Exposure to Famine

in Humans.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105 (44) (November

4): 17046–17049. doi:10.1073/pnas.0806560105.

BEES MODULE Media

NATURE: Silence of the Bees

“Mobile Phones Responsible for Disappearance of Honey Bee - Telegraph.” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7778401/Mobile-phones-responsible-for-disappearance-of-honey-bee.html.

“Saving the Honeybee  : Article  : Scientific American.” http://www.nature.com/scientificamerican/journal/v300/n4/full/scientificamerican0409-40.html.

Primary Literature (*chose one of these papers for peer-review)

Bromenshenk, Jerry J, Colin B Henderson, Charles H Wick, Michael F Stanford, Alan W Zulich, Rabih E Jabbour,

Samir V Deshpande, et al. 2010. “Iridovirus and Microsporidian Linked to Honey Bee Colony Decline.” PloS One 5

(10): e13181. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013181.

Tokarz, Rafal, Cadhla Firth, Craig Street, Diana L Cox-Foster, and W Ian Lipkin. 2011. “Lack of Evidence for an

Association Between Iridovirus and Colony Collapse Disorder.” PloS One 6 (6): e21844.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0021844.

Evans, Jay D, and Ryan S Schwarz. 2011. “Bees Brought to Their Knees: Microbes Affecting Honey Bee Health.”

Trends in Microbiology 19 (12) (December): 614–620. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2011.09.003.

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Henry, Mickaël, Maxime Béguin, Fabrice Requier, Orianne Rollin, Jean-François Odoux, Pierrick Aupinel, Jean

Aptel, Sylvie Tchamitchian, and Axel Decourtye. 2012. “A Common Pesticide Decreases Foraging Success and

Survival in Honey Bees.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 336 (6079) (April 20): 348–350. doi:10.1126/science.1215039.

HONOR CODE

Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of Virginia, and thus bind

themselves to the University’s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult

the Voyager’s Handbook for further explanation of what constitutes an honor offense.

Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: “On my honor as a student, I pledge

that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.” The pledge must be signed, or, in the case of an

electronic file, signed “[signed].”

SCHEDULE

Date Topic In Class Homework

June 19 C1 Introductions Read ch. 1-3 of PDF

June 20 C2 Science Literacy Read ch 4 & 9 of PDF

June 21 C3 Approaching Primary

Literature

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June 22 C4 The Anthrax Investigation View DVD Frontline Read National Academies

Review PDFs (3)

PORT Casablanca

June 27 C5 The Anthrax Investigation Primary Literature Discussion Read Kolata/Florida, Stolberg

(2 articles), Barstow

June 28 C6 The Anthrax Investigation Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

June 29 C7 Cancer’s Last Stand View Webcast WSF Read Parsons

July 1 C8 Cancer’s Last Stand Primary Literature Discussion Read Kolata (3) , look at

cancer genome atlas website

July 2 C9 Cancer’s Last Stand Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

PORT Antalya

July 6 C10 The Vaccine War View DVD Frontline Read Wakefield

July 7 C11 The Vaccine War Primary Literature Discussion Read Park, Murch, Horton,

“Retracted.”

PORT Istanbul

July 12 C12 The Vaccine War Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

July 13 C13 Arsenic: a lesson in peer

review

Wolfe-Simon Paper & NASA P.R. Read Erb and Reaves

PORT Piraeus(Athens)

July 18 C14 Arsenic: a lesson in peer

review

Discuss refutation papers* Read Overbye, Roop,

Herper, “Studies rebut”,

“NASA-funded research”

Peer Review Due

July 19 C15 Arsenic: a lesson in peer

review

Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

July 20 C16 Ghost in Your Genes View DVD Nova Read Dolinoy and Heijmans

PORT Livorno and Civitavecchia

July 27 C17 Ghost in Your Genes Primary Literature * Discussion Read Cloud, Peer Review

Due

July 28 C18 Ghost in Your Genes Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

PORT Malta

Aug 1 C19 Silence of the Bees View DVD Nature Read Bromenshenk, Evans,

Henry, Tokarz

Aug 2 C20 Silence of the Bees Primary Literature * Discussion Read Cox-Foster, “Mobile

phones” Peer Review Due

PORT Marseille and Barcelona

Aug 9 C21 Silence of the Bees Synthesis Discussion Essays Due

Aug 10 C22 Prepare for Field Trip Planning Discussion

PORT Cadiz and Lisbon

Aug 16

FIELD

WORK

Field Trip to Lisbon Science

Pavilion

Aug 17 C23 Wrap up Discussion Field Trip Journals Due

Aug 18 Study Day

Aug 19 C24 Final Exams Final Exam