Professor: Egilman Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 7 Total Enrollment: 9 Class Composition: Froshs: 2 Sophs: 1 Jrs: 3 Srs: 3 Concs: 1 Non-Concs: 5 Don't Know: 1

Instructor Average: 1.79 Course Average: 1.39

“Science and Power: A Biomedical Inquiry” is a seminar designed to help students examine power dimensions in biomedical ethics. Professor Egilman worked to challenge the way students looked at the world. There are no prerequisites for the course, though one student noted that good reading and analytical skills are useful.

Most students were pleased with Professor Egilman. They found him to be accommodating and helpful, and especially liked the way he allowed them to express their opinions on papers and grading. Most students found him to be funny and engaging and liked the way he worked to challenge their previous convictions and preconceived notions. While most students liked Professor Egilman when he was there, others noted that he was often away, and the TA consequently led many of the classes.

The work for the course included two presentations, two “medium” four to six page papers, one “monster” 20 to 30 page paper, and lots of weekly response papers. Many students found the assigned readings enjoyable, but some felt that they were “repetitive” and “dull”. One student was especially fond of “Acres of Skin”, which he or she called “captivating”.

Students spent an average of 4 to 10 hours per week on this course. Some remarked that it was useful to work ahead on the readings. Almost everyone recommended the course. Said one student, “It opened my eyes to a lot of important issues”. Warned another student, “Don’t expect a traditional ethics course”. In the end, most students agreed that the interesting readings and provocative discussions are what make this “small, fun, weird” seminar worthwhile.

View BC/0168 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.