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Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) indicates limited scientific thinking gains as a result of science and mathematics general education
Get PDFA number of instruments designed to measure scientific literacy exist, but none has been used to assess improvements in undergraduates’ scientific thinking over their college career. This study utilized the Test of Scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) in a longitudinal fashion to measure scientific thinking gains of over 800 students from matriculation to graduation at a small liberal arts college. We found the TOSLS to be a useful assessment instrument. Our results indicated rather small benefits of science general education overall, though there were larger improvements for some demographic groups (i.e., women, first-generation college students). STEM majors showed much greater development in their scientific thinking skills than non-STEM majors, although they started at a more advanced level. Suggestions are made to rethink STEM general education, either in terms of content or with regard to pedagogy, in order to improve future citizens’ ability to deal with the scientific challenges society faces
Women Who Kill: Providing and Justifying Alternative Legal Pathways to the Use of Battered Women Syndrome as Self-Defense
Get PDFLegal scholars have been grappling with how to handle legal cases concerning battered women since the 70s. Lenore Walker argued that battered women have a condition called battered woman syndrome that alters their perceptions. The cases by themselves do not fulfill requirements for self-defense, a justification doctrine nor duress, an excuse doctrine. I argue that battered women should be excused, not through using battered women syndrome to support pre-existing claims, but instead by using other psychological research to support Morse’s partial excuse doctrine. The first part of the paper argues why battered woman syndrome does not work as a psychological basis for establishing legal claims. Instead of battered women syndrome, I present a holistic perspective of the psychology of battered women and discuss the prevalence of certain psychological conditions and their effects on decision-making. I focus especially on PTSD and TBIs as factors that impact decision-making. TBIs are especially crucial for understanding why abuse victims, especially victims of severe abuse become violent themselves. Damage to the brain are linked to increased aggression, impulsivity, and other cognitive problems. These risk behaviors naturally increase the probability that abuse victims will resort to violence to escape the situation. This paper also discusses why women struggle to leave their relationships. After discussing what happens internally and externally for battered women, I also discuss from more of a public safety perspective, that abuse victims, especially women, do not pose a threat to society. So we are “safe” so to speak in reducing or not punishing them. Given these points, we ought to excuse them. Implementing Stephen Morse’s proposal for partial excuse seems to be the best path forward for this type of defendant and others suffering more extreme circumstances and/or psychological conditions. Essentially he argues that we should add a type of verdict where the defendants are guilty but not fully responsible for their actions. This kind of proposal would allow the court system to be a little bit more flexible where they can better help defendants in unusual and difficult circumstances in an otherwise rigid and strict court system. This seems like the best foot forward because it doesn’t compromise the integrity of pre-existing doctrines of duress and self-defense by stretching them too much and institutes a doctrine that allows more flexibility in the court system overall
Globalizing Sikhism: Modern-day Representation of Sikhs
Get PDFWith a following of more than thirty million individuals, Sikhism is the world’s fifth-largest religion. Despite this fact, the lack of awareness, understanding, and knowledge of what and who constructs Sikhism is globally provident through negative stereotypes perpetuated through a variety of media representations. This lack of understanding is further perpetuated by the lack of modern-day representation of Sikhs, especially within the Western world. This research will identify the modern-day representation of Sikhs through an analytical lens, with a focus on their status as a model minority within and outside India, and their representation in Western media and society. While the overall representation of Sikhs has increased in the Western world, they continuously face inaccurate stereotypes. The most prominent stereotypes consist of labeling Sikhs as violent individuals or confusing them for Muslim individuals in Western TV shows and movies. There continues to be little discussion about their identity, beliefs, or their commitment to service and helping those in need. These issues can be best combated through an increase in education about the Sikh religion and more accurate media representation
Ethics in Focus with Elena Ruíz and Nora Berenstain
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This episode is part of our Ethics in Focus series where we present full-length interviews with expert guests. This series features conversations about ethics for folks already familiar with the field of ethics. Today, I’m talking to the philosophers Elena Ruíz and Nora Berenstain about the criminalization of pregnancy in North America. We’re discussing their 2018 article “Gender Based Administrative Violence as Colonial Strategy.”
For the episode transcript, download a copy or read it below.
Contact us at [email protected] Links to people and ideas mentioned in the show Elena Ruíz and Nora Berenstain, “Gender-Based Administrative Violence as Colonial Strategy“ Leanne Simpson, “Land as pedagogy: Nishnaabeg intelligence and rebellious transformation“ John Locke, “Second Treatise of Government“ Shannon Speed, Incarcerated Stories Cate Young, “This Is What I Mean When I Say ‘White Feminism’“ Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers Anthea Butler Horatio Robinson Storer Kimberlé Crenshaw Angela Y. Davis, Women, Race and Class Reproductive justice Resources provided by Nora Berenstain and Elena Ruíz Freefrom National Abortion Access Fund for Survivors Indigenous Women Rising abortion fund Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project Mariposa Fund Surkuna (Ecuador) Fondo Maria (Mexico) Agrupación Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto (El Salvador) Lilith fund Abortions without borders Plan C Sister Song Women with a Vision National Network of Abortion Funds Third Wave Fund Survived and Punished Credits
Thanks to Evelyn Brosius for our logo. Music featured in the show:
“Single Still” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Cran Ras” by Blue Dot Session
Predatory Grooming and Epistemology with Lauren Leydon-Hardy
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Grooming is a practice used to lure victims into an exploitative relationship. The philosopher Lauren Leydon-Hardy explores the ways that predatory grooming can interfere with the very way that a person thinks about themselves and the world. She calls this form of harm “epistemic infringement.”
For the episode transcript, download a copy or read it below.
Contact us at [email protected] Links to people and ideas mentioned in the show Lauren Leydon-Hardy, “Predatory Grooming and Epistemic Infringement“ Forensic research psychologist Ian Elliott Rachel Denhollander’s testimony in the trial of Larry Nassar Credits
Thanks to Evelyn Brosius for our logo. Music featured in the show:
“Single Still” by Blue Dot Sessions
“Cran Ras” by Blue Dot Session