The two courses are listed in the category Interdisciplinary in the Undergraduate Catalog of the University Bulletin. They count as Natural Science courses, and satisfy the diversity requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Catalog descriptions follow:

Intr-d 125
Science for Humane Survival I

This course, and Intr-d 126, try to answer two main questions:

1. How can long-term survival of the human species in humane and ecologically stable conditions be achieved?
2. How can individuals try to survive as healthy and vigorous humane beings in contemporary industrial capitalist society?

                  Topics include: evolution of the biosphere, food, energy, pollution, population, ideology, social organization, transportation, exercise, clothing, shelter, competition, and cooperation. The perspective is developed that science is never neutral, but is a social undertaking influenced by the prevailing cultural, economic, and political climate, and that good science requires critical thought to escape, as much as possible, the inevitable social biases. Issues of diversity are central to consideration, in the course, of hatreds ostensibly based on gender, race, ethnicity, class, and nationality. No scientific background is assumed, but enough science is presented in the course to allow for meaningful discussion. The course is organized topically. There are no prerequisites. Distribution Area: Natural Sciences
3 Lect Hrs/1 Disc Hr, 3 Credits

Intr-d 126
Science for Humane Survival II

      This course, and Intr-d 125, try to answer two main questions:

1. How can long-term survival of the human species in humane and ecologically stable conditions be achieved?
2. How can individuals try to survive as healthy and vigorous humane beings in contemporary industrial capitalist society?

                  Topics include: nutrition and agribusiness; concentration of land ownership and progressive impoverishment; population growth, debt growth, and the mathematics of exponential growth; the ideology of biological determinism, including Malthus, Social Darwinism, I.Q. testing, and sociobiology. Regarding the perspective of science, the need for critical thinking, issues of diversity and hatreds, scientific background assumed, and course organization, see Intr-d 125. There are no prerequisites. Distribution Area: Natural Sciences
3 Lect Hrs/1 Disc Hr, 3 Credits

      Note. In addition to the above brief catalog descriptions, there is a fuller account in Course Description. Also, there are two synopses, one of the SfHS I course I offered in the Fall 92 term; and of the two-course offering I wrote in June 94. Copies of these are in my office and may be available on request from the Physics Department Secretary, Sally Wainright. To inquire, e-mail: Sally Wainwright  <sally.wainwright@umb.edu>.