Texts: AIDS Update 2003 by Gerald J. Stine
AIDS and Development in Africa by Kempe Ronald Hope Sr.

The major goal for this particular science and math in context course is to integrate the natural sciences and the social sciences around the topic of AIDS and other human diseases. Thus, we will study the biological basis of AIDS: the cause of the disease, how the disease is spread from person to person, the effect of the disease on the body, the treatments for the disease, and how to prevent the disease from spreading. In addition, we will study the social impact of AIDS on society with particular emphasis on Africa: the reasons for the spread of AIDS in Africa, the economic impact on countries, and the social impact on the family structure. In addition, we will study a few other diseases; I will give you a choice of what you would like to study. We will mostly focus on the biological aspects of these diseases. Another goal for this course is to stimulate critical thinking skills. Thus, in regards to AIDS, we will examine and evaluate the validity of competing theories and we will evaluate numerical data that helps us understand the epidemiology of the disease.

The teaching methods for this course will involve a mixture of lecture, group discussion on readings, videos, and a debate scenario. You will be required to read selected portions of the above texts and come to class prepared to discuss certain topics. To keep you accountable for the readings, there will be either study questions given one to two class periods ahead of the discussion or a reading quiz given at the beginning of the class period before class discussion. There will also be a variety of homework assignments. There will be two mid-term exams and one final exam given in the course. Finally, there will be a group presentation given at the end of the semester.

To be successful in this course, you will need to learn the material as we are proceeding through the course and not wait until the night before the exam to begin studying the material. You will need to do all the assigned readings, and come to class prepared. This will only enhance your learning experience.

Late work: Work submitted after the due date will be accepted up to one week past the due date. Late work will be penalized according to the number of days it is late up to one grade for work turned in one week late.

Attendance: There is no mandatory attendance policy. However, students are evaluated on class activities, which cannot be made up if one misses class.

Tentative Schedule