Fall 2010

Science and Politics of Cancer - LSCI 4050 A

Professor(s):  Katayoun Chamany 
Day(s):  TR
Time(s):  2:00 pm - 3:40 pm 
CRN:  6915
Credits:  4
Prerequisite(s):  Prerequisites include one course in the following areas: genetics; cell biology; math; and the Biodiversity Achieved course is strongly recommended. Permission of instructor required.

Course Description
In the year 2010, cancer will be the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite advances in science and medicine, cancer continues to puzzle researchers, while advocacy has resulted in differentiating cancers based on gender, class, and ethnicity. In this course we consider cancer's biological and genetic underpinnings; how can lifestyle affect susceptibility; how can we manipulate genes to both diagnosis and treat cancer; how can narrative medicine contribute to our understanding of cancer's effects on individuals and society; how does advertising link to cancer? Lung cancer will serve as an exemplar of an environmentally induced cancer while breast and cervical cancer require an analysis of both genetic and environmental factors. New technologies and tools will be reviewed including the human genome project, gene therapy, vaccination, and protein chimeras. This course satisfies the Advanced level requirement for Interdisciplinary Science and the elective for Gender Studies and is offered every other year in the fall. Prerequisites include one course in the following areas: genetics; cell biology; and math; and the Biodiversity Achieved course is recommended.