The Course

Cellular and Molecular Biology Syllabus (Microsoft Word bytes Aug5 09)

A commitment to social justice has been a hallmark of Roosevelt University [RU] since its founding in 1945. The Mansfield Institute for Social Justice was created in 1999, to further this mission by the development of programs focused on social justice issues. To this end, RU has been successful integrating social justice themes throughout courses in several disciplines, especially the humanities. More challenging has been the inclusion of such themes in core science courses, specifically in the biological sciences.
With regard to this mission, the curriculum of a core course, Biology 301: Cellular and Molecular Biology, was redesigned to integrate issues of civil engagement and responsibility. Specifically this redesigned course included cancer awareness, advocacy and critical thinking activities. The goals of the new curriculum are: (1) to improve student learning, interest and retention in molecular and cellular biology, and (2) to increase student's sense of civic engagement and appreciation of the social relevance of science through disease, specifically cancer.