Modern science seems to have no starting point, but how did these 'incontrovertible truths' begin? We will investigate how scientists collaborate, cooperate, and hash out disagreements...and ultimately how theories are born and discoveries made.

This seminar will be driven by field work. Each participant will be matched with a lab, you'll sit in on lab meetings and interview scientists, developing your own understanding of what modern science in an institution looks like. You'll take these experiences and draw from them to create something—a piece of media, a performance piece, an article, whatever—which represents the dialogue and thought process you observed.

By doing so, we'll take a crack at answering the questions that we too rarely get a chance to think about, even in a world as science and technology centric as our own: How is consensus among scientists in a laboratory setting achieved? How are disagreements between scientists resolved? What happens when doubt exists in the data, theory, or instrumentation choice? How does the scientist maintain objectivity in their own practices? How does the group? How is science managed, guided, and realized from the institutional, bureaucratic layer to the day-to-day practice in the labs?

No technical background is required. If you have any questions or concerns about the program, feel free to contact Laura.

This seminar costs $200 and is on a sliding scale. Contact Alec if you'd like to find out about financial aid, installments, work trade, or other options.