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Short Paper Topics

#1 (due Feb 1)

What question is Merton trying to answer? How is his project different than Popper's?

#2 (due Feb 15)

Look in the course packet at the four world maps, labeled I through IV. Which map do you think most accurately represents the Earth? Why?

#3 (due Mar 1)

In your opinion, what is the strongest analogy between maps and scientific theories; that is, in what respect are they most similar? What is the strongest disanalogy; that is, in what respect are they most dissimilar?

#4 (due Mar 8)

The handout was a copy of p 241 of The Mismeasure of Man. Before reading Gould, look at each of the pictures below. There is something wrong with each. Mark each picture so as to fix it.

After reading Gould: What do you think IQ tests tell us? That is, what does a score on the test represent?

#5 (due Apr 19)

Is Naomi Oreskes' explanation for why women have been excluded from science compatible with Evelyn Fox Keller's or not? Why do you think so?