Dr. Brian Regal
History of Science
Department of History
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Townsend 117-I
email: bregal@kean.edu
NOTE: This class is cross listed so it has two numbers and will be populated by both undergraduate and graduate students.
Course Description:
This special topics course will examine the role science has played and continues to play in the promotion of genocide. The pseudoscientific underpinnings of genocide, the history of eugenics, human origin theories, and the perversion of science for murderous and racist ends. Students will learn to explore the topic through historical methods. They will be evaluated by a series of exams and written projects as well as class participation.
Syllabus: (Note: the syllabus may change as the semester progresses)
Required Readings:
HIST4000
Diane Paul. Controlling Human Heredity (Humanities Press, 1995), ISBN: 039103916
Robert Lifton. Nazi Doctors (Basic Books, 2000). ISBN: 9780465049059
MAGHS5900
Diane Paul. Controlling Human Heredity (Humanities Press, 1995), ISBN: 039103916
Robert Lifton. Nazi Doctors (Basic Books, 2000). ISBN: 9780465049059
Daniel Kevles, In the Name of Eugenics (Harvard University Press, 1998), ISBN: 13: 978-0674445574
Stephen Jay Gould. The Mismeasure of Man (W. W. Norton & Company, 1996), ISBN: 13: 978-0393314250
Power Point presentation: updated October 11, 2015
Additional Readings:
Science and the Swastika, documentary
The World at War, episode 20, 'Genocide'
• Kean University Department of History Main Page
• Kean University Main Page