DNA, Double Helix, James Watson and Rosalind Franklin
Your essay should be five pages. In length using the materials, we have covered this semester. Do not forget the textbook. Make sure you find and re-read the relevant texts/readings. Please only use the textbook and in-class material provided. DO NOT use outside sources.
Materials:
-Peter J. Bowler and Iwan Rhys Morus, “Making Modern Science: A Historical Survey” (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 2005) (try using pages 487-513, has some info as well)
-James D. Watson, “The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA” (New York: Touchstone, 2001).
-Anne Sayre, “Rosalind Franklin and DNA” (in class material/pdf)
-Movie: Rosalind Franklin and the Discovery of DNA
Prompt:
How does James Watson represent Rosalind Franklin’s work on the discovery of the structure of DNA? How much does Watson’s account of Franklin reflect the values of the 1950s? Do you think such a negative portrayal of women in science affect the number of women entering science as a profession? Does that matter? Has the controversy done too much to obscure Franklin’s scientific achievements? How should we represent Franklin in the history of science?
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