Genes, Biology & Social Change

Catalog description

This seminar will focus on the rapidly expanding understanding of the interaction of biological and social forces -- including the interaction of genes and environment. We will explore claims that are made in science and popular culture about the role of genes in development. We will focus on the role that social forces play in shaping the effects of genes in development, and health, through epigenetics and related mechanisms. Adopting a sociology-of-science perspective, we will also consider how social, political, and economic forces may shape the enterprise of science, and the future implications of gene-environment interactions for politics, the economy, and culture. Students do not need a background in sociology, genetic research, and/or human development to take this course. Counts as a Communication Intensive course.