Academic Areas of Knowledge Projects

 

For the final quarter we will be investigating the areas of academic knowledge by category.  The categories to be investigated are: 

1.      Natural Sciences

2.      Social Sciences

3.      Literature and Languages

4.      Fine Arts

5.      Mathematics

6.      Theology

7.      Law

 

Essential questions

 

For each area we will work to understand how knowledge is assessed and generated by considering the following essential questions:

 

1. What are its underlying assumptions/propositions?
2. What methodologies does it use?  (Think about good reasons for knowing, brain structure and function and multiple intelligences.)
3. What are its limits? (About what does it have something useful to say?)
1. Where and how does it conflict with other areas of knowledge?
4. What are its notable successes and failures?
1. What does its future hold? (Will it grow or shrink in its influence?  Will it take over other areas’ terrain?)
5. How will it be involved in your future academic career? 

 

 

Teasers, readings and discussions

 

Where possible each area unit will begin with a reading from the course text (or elsewhere) and a written assignment to guide your reading.

 

Rather than tackle the essential questions directly we will work at them tangentially by looking at some “teaser” questions that will have you consider some relevant, current problems being discussed by thinkers in the area.  I will post these teasers soon after beginning each unit.

 

To finish each unit we will have a series of class discussions/debates around the essential questions.