Beginning of Life
This Praxis Lab examined the profound scientific, ethical, and cultural questions surrounding the earliest stages of human life. Students explored topics such as the biological and psychological factors influencing conception, the ethical implications of genetic sequencing, the impact of epigenetics on parental behavior, and the societal considerations of neonatal care.
By analyzing historical perspectives and contemporary debates, students developed a nuanced understanding of how social norms and scientific advancements shape decisions about unborn and newborn children. In the second semester, they applied their knowledge through a hands-on project addressing real-world challenges in medical, ethical, or policy contexts.
Instructors:
Rachel Mason Dentinger, PhD
Kirtly Parker Jones, MD
More Praxis Labs
Infectious Disease on the Run
Margaret P. Battin, PhD
Wendy Hobson-Rohrer, MD
This Praxis Lab examined the history, science, and ethical implications of pandemics, from the Black Plague to COVID-19. Students analyzed how diseases spread, the social and political responses to outbreaks, and the ethical considerations of public health interventions.
How We Die
Margaret P. Battin, PhD
This Praxis Lab explored the evolving landscape of death and dying in the modern world, examining the shift from infectious disease mortality to prolonged battles with degenerative illnesses like cancer, heart failure, and dementia.
Education, Incarceration & Justice: Punishment and Opportunity in an Era of Mass Imprisonment
Erin Castro
Roberto Garcia
This Praxis Lab examined the deep connections between education, incarceration, and justice in the United States, a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world. Students explored the historical and systemic forces that have expanded the carceral state, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color.