BIOETHICS (HNRC 300VH)

BIOETHICS (HNRC 300VH)
10-11:30 a.m., May 16-27, 2022
One or three credit hours

 

Join us as we zoom in on contemporary controversies swirling around scientific research. We will look to the history of science to gauge how modern STEM practitioners both refute and tacitly embrace problematic empirical and theoretical thinking from past eras. Importantly, this course brings together in one forum statewide experts in a variety of disciplines, from the humanities to social sciences to STEM fields. Bioethics presents a perfect occasion for honors scholars headed to med school or graduate school to refine their analytical skills while establishing a strong foundation in the philosophy of science. This forum is a must for the intellectually ambitious honors undergraduate from all corners of Arkansas.

Forum conducted live via Zoom, recorded, and posted on Blackboard (students) and Honors Arkansas YouTube.

Lectures are open to all: Complete this online interest form to gain access. View lectures on our YouTube playlist

Please enter the meeting with video off and microphone muted.

  • Micah Hester, Chair, Department of Medical Humanities & Bioethics, UAMS
  • Christina Kamis, Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Jeremy Lusk, Professor of Physics, University of Central Arkansas
  • Sharon Mason, Professor of the Philosophy of Science, University of Central Arkansas
  • Chris Nelson, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville
  • Curt Rom, Dean of the Graduate School and International Education, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville 
  • Jessica Scott, Professor of Environmental Dynamics, University of Arkansas—Little Rock
  • Marc Scott, Professor of Supply Chain Management, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville
  • Trish Starks, Professor of Medical History, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville
  • Audie Key Thompson, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville
  • Students may choose a one-hour or three-hour option for HNRC 300VH.
  • The one-hour forum involves attending the daily lectures from Honors Arkansas faculty, submitting questions the evening before the lecture, and writing a blog post or a LinkedIn article.
  • The three-hour forum consists of daily lectures, submitted questions, and afternoon breakout seminars (noon-2 p.m.) on each subject.
    Students who choose the three-hour option partner in teams with faculty research experts.
  • Participants in the three-hour seminar write a final analysis centered on one of the themes covered in the forum.

All University of Arkansas—Fayetteville honors students who select the three-hour option will receive 3 hours of honors credit. Additional credit options:

Fulbright College 

  • Natural science colloquium credit
  • Social science colloquium credit
  • Biology major philosophy requirement
  • Philosophy major and minor elective credit

Walton College

  • Honors colloquium credit

Explore Course Topics

Philosophical Framework for STEM

Forum #1: Philosophical Framework for STEM

Monday, May 16

Professor Sharon Mason, Philosophy of Science, University of Central Arkansas

Racism in Medicine

Forum #2: Racism in Medicine

Tuesday, May 17

Professor Trish Starks, History/Medical History, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville

Gene Editing

Forum #3: Gene Editing

Wednesday May 18

Professor Chris Nelson, Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville

Heath Disparities

Forum #4: Heath Disparities Across the Life Course

Thursday, May 19

Professor Christina Kamis, Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Gender Affirmation and LGBTQ+ Bioethics

Forum #5: Pleasantville: How the "Myth of Binary" Harms Our (Trans)Children

Friday, May 20

Professor Micah Hester, Chair, Department of Medical Humanities & Bioethics, UAMS

Assisted Suicide

Forum #6: Assisted Suicide

Saturday, May 21

Professor Micah Hester, Medical Humanities & Bioethics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Climate Change

Forum #7: Climate Change

Monday, May 23

Professor Jessica Scott, Environmental Dynamics and Anthropology, University of Arkansas—Little Rock

Drone Delivery

Forum #8: Drone Delivery

Tuesday, May 24

Professor Marc Scott, Supply Chain Management, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville)

Plastics

Forum #9: Plastics

Wednesday, May 25

Professor Audie Key Thompson, Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville

Space Exploration

Forum #10: Space Exploration

Thursday, May 26

Professor Jeremy Lusk, Physics, University of Central Arkansas

Industrial Farming

Forum #11: The Farming Bio-Fix

Friday, May 27

Professor Curt Rom, Dean of the Graduate School and International Education, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville