Using Community Resources to Teach about Science and Society

Abstract

Traditionally the term paper, diligently researched in the library, is the vehicle through which students have extended their knowledge of material only briefly discussed in class or explored an area of particular interest beyond the depth permitted by class work. Many of us remember our term paper assignments because we had to dig so hard ourselves. The term paper has served students well, but it does not ordinarily lead them to consider sources of knowledge beyond the library. This article describes the use of community resources as a supplement to library resources for student papers. Community resources may be broadly defined to include organizations and individuals willing to share insights and information that enhance student understanding of practical realities. We have developed and teach a course focusing on biology, technology, and human values as they pertain to human reproduction for undergraduate nonscience majors. The course includes scientific information regarding human reproduction, the various technologies by which we modify or analyze the reproductive process, the impact this knowledge and these techniques have on our values, and the ethical dilemmas we confront as a result. Our students will enter various service professions, such as social work, teaching, law, and law enforcement, after graduation. Though the use of community resources was developed for a particular course, and our illustrations are drawn from this experience, the use of community resources can be valuable to students in high school and college level courses-particularly courses that seek to blend considerations of science and society.