Chemistry For Non Science Majors: The American Chemical Society's Curriculum:
Chemistry In Context
WILMER STRATTON, Earlham College
and
CONRAD STANITSKI, University of Central Arkansas
and
CATHY MIDDLECAMP, University of Wisconsin-Madison
June 30 - July 2, 2002 in Pittsburgh, PA
Apply: PITT
Nonscience
majors have long been a neglected population in the teaching of chemistry.
Many courses for nonmajors tend to be simpler versions of the major course.
Both the chemistry content and approach used for this population has long
ignored the special characteristics and wealth of scientific knowledge that
these students bring to the study of chemistry. Chemistry in Context: Applying
Chemistry to Society, the American Chemical Society's new college chemistry
curriculum for non science majors attempts to tap this knowledge by imbedding
chemistry in a cultural, societal, economic and political context. Here chemistry
is introduced on a "need-to-know" basis that provides students with
an informed understanding of critical science based contemporary issues.
In
this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to work with two of the
authors of Chemistry in Context. The unique philosophy of the curricular approach
along with an overview of the chemistry content, sample activities and evaluation
techniques will be presented. Participants will be able to experience several
of the laboratory and decision making activities that characterize Chemistry
in Context. Discussions in the workshop will focus on the "nuts and bolts"
of implementing the curriculum in both large and small classes. Participants
will be encouraged to share their own innovations in teaching chemistry to
nonscience majors. The workshop leaders are particularly eager to elicit ideas
for new kinds of homework assignments, testing strategies, lab and writing
assignments and grading practices. Time will be provided for discussion of
these topics.
