Background and Context

Course History

In 2000 Duke modified its general education curriculum to place a greater emphasis on "the ability to make meaning of complex information... the ability to evaluate and discern among competing claims... the ability to collaborate... the ability to engage difference... and the ability to apply knowledge in the service of society." ARGUE debuted in 2000 in response to these new curricular requirements and has been taught once a year ever since. In addition, Duke has developed distinct 'modes of inquiry' for addressing learning; e.g., the Science Technology and Society (STS) mode challenges students to explore how science and technology have affected societal development, as well as how the needs of society have influenced scientific and technological progress. AIDS fulfills one of the two STS requirements for graduation.

Funding and Support

This course began with funding from SENCER to attend a Summer Institute in 2002. Follow up funding has included:

• Women's International Science Collaboration Grant, WISC (NSF), 2003
• CCLI (NSF) Do linked international curricula in Biology enhance science literacy and engagement in non-science or pre-major students?, 2004
• Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation Award in Medical Ethics and Humanities, 2006
• Projects for Peace, 2007
• Funding from Duke's Center for International Studies, Office of Service Learning, DukeEngage, and the Department of Biology