ALA 315 / Popular Science
Unit Essay #1
(25 points, due by the start of class on 2/3)
You will submit two unit essays in this course, responding to a given prompt or set of
prompts. Essays should be 2-3 full pages, 1.5 (space-and-a-half) line spacing
(approximately 800-1200 words). Essays will be submitted via the Canvas Assignments
feature. Please do not forget to cite specific readings in your essays. (In-line citations
are appropriate; no need for a full bibliography.) Be concise, but include specific
details from readings and class; show me what you know and have thought about!
For your first essay, please respond to one of the following two prompts.
(1) What can and cant science tell us about humanitys place in the universe or ultimate
significance? Critically discuss and integrate at least 3 specific readings from Unit 1 in
responding to this question.
(2) The Dalai Lama writes in The Universe in a Single Atom: I have noticed that many
people hold an assumption that the scientific view of the world should be the basis for all
knowledge and all that is knowable. This is scientific materialism. Although I am not
aware of a school of thought that explicitly propounds this notion, it seems to be a
common unexamined presupposition. (p. 12) To what extent do you think that scientific
materialism is a common unexamined presupposition in the works we have read (or
seen excerpts from) for Unit 1? Justify your response with at least 3 specific examples
from Unit 1.
By submitting this assignment, you are affirming that your assignment submission is your
own authentic work, as defined in the course syllabus and discussed in class. Please
avoid AI use in general, but carefully document the exact nature of any AI use that did go
into composing the words you are submitting here, and please include an appropriate
(brief) citation any time you incorporate or draw on another persons written or spoken
words.
Requirements: 800 words
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