english

(300 words)

Discussion Board

VANADIUM:

In this chapter, Levi writes that he had dreamed for years of coming face-to face with one of the Germans who had worked in he camps where he was held prisoner, yet when given an opportunity for such an encounter, he pulls back.  

If he had chosen differently, if he had met Dr. Muller, what do you think might have happened?  For this week, write a conversation (dialogue) between the two men.  Try to keep their voices distinct, remembering what you know about each of them through the chapter Vanadium.

(300 words)

Discussion Board

Watch the clip "Measure of a Man" from Star Trek Next Generation.

First: What do you think of the argument made by the Captain about Lt. Data's status?  Is he sentient?  Should he have the same legal status as a human?

Second: Apply the argument to Andrew in The Bicentennial Man.  Is it similar to the argument(s) made by Asimov?  Why do you think Asimov inserts sections about legal status throughout the story?  Why are they important?  Do you think that Andrew and Data are similar cases?  Why or why not?

(300 words)

Discussion Board (last one!)

In the opening paragraph of the book review linked above, the author, a genetic counselor, asserts that "Anyone involved with human genetics will want to read this book."  Do you think he is right?  Why?  

Paper (5 pages)

Mendel’s Dwarf raises many moral and ethical questions about the contemporary use of genetic studies—including such things as in vitro fertilization, population screening, embryo selection, and gene therapy. 

For your essay, choose one (1) episode in the novel that addressees one (1) of these ethical questions and analyze a) how Simon Mawer uses science to address this question and b) how the episode develops the plot OR develops a particular character.

Shorthand: choose episode then answer a) then b).

Bonus: you might want to contextualize it a bit, using what you have learned about literature (art) and science over the term.  Feel free to use the quotes below for inspiration:

Science and art are two different ways of being in the world. Science is about questions that have answers. Art is about questions that do not. It is the lack of answers and the sense of being haunted by them that gives art its power.

---Dr. Alan Lightman, NY Times

We feel that even when all possible scientific questions have been answered, the problems of life remain completely unanswered.

--Ludwig Wittgenstein