Next week will be our first seminar from 9 – 11am on Wed. Oct. 11, which will necessitate some other schedule adjustments already noted on the last page of the Syllabus.

The readings for the seminar focus on issues of representation in the sciences, with emphasis on gender and socioeconomic status:

• “Why Are There Still So Few Women in Science?”
• “Is Science Only for the Rich?”

We will hand out paper copies of these articles in class Monday so that you can mark those with your annotations and questions, and have them available during Seminar (without people using electronic devices during the discussion).

Pre-Seminar Writing Assignment. Beyond reading the two articles, we would like for you to respond in writing to the following prompts. Please type up your responses and bring them with you, along with the two reading handouts, to Seminar. Faculty will check these for completion and they will serve as your Seminar Entrance Ticket.

1. (not for class discussion) Which stories or experiences described in the two pieces are similar to your own? (This response is private; we will not require you to share this writing with anyone else.)
2. (for discussion) What was one specific element of the reading you found particularly striking or surprising? Why? This should be a story, experience, piece of data or research finding. Your typed response should quote, paraphrase, or summarize the element, indicate article and page, and describe why you chose it. (You may choose more than one).
3. (for discussion) What actions or behaviors can students undertake that address issues specifically raised in these articles and fosters an inclusive and anti-bias learning environment in our math and science classroom?
4. (for discussion) What actions or behaviors can faculty undertake that address issues specifically raised in these articles and fosters an inclusive and anti-bias learning environment in our math and science classroom?