Midterm

InstructionsTime Frame

• Quiz opens: 2/14 (Sun) at 3:30 p.m.
• The quiz is due: 2/18 (Wed) at 11:59 p.m.
• Late submission of this quiz is available until 2/22 (Sun) at 11:59 p.m.
• All late submissions are graded up to 80% of the original score.

Knowledge

This assignment will also help you measure your level of familiarity with the following important content knowledge in this discipline:

• Content knowledge item 1: Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and the 18th century biology
• Content knowledge item 2: Essentialism, determinism, reductionism, dichotomy, craniology, and eugenics
• Content knowledge item 3: Darwin’s theory of human evolution (natural and sexual selection
• Content knowledge item 4: Early feminist counter-argument on Darwin’s theory

Midterm #1 Details

This quiz covers the following readings.

• Kaplan and Rogers, “Essentialisms, Determinisms”
• Noble, A World Without Women
• Keller, Reflection on Gender and Science
• Schiebinger, Nature’s Body
• Darwin, The Descent of Man
• Gamble, “The Supremacy of the Males”
• Metropolis (1927) by Fritz Lang
• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• This quiz consists of three short essay questions (10 points and 8 points) and eight multiple-choice questions (4 points each). It is an Open-book, open-notebook quiz. And you can talk to your classmates, too! But please don’t copy and paste answers for the essay question. Use your own words to describe.
• You can take this quiz twice. The system will record the higher score.
• When you try the 2nd time, you might encounter different questions from your previous attempt.

IMPORTANT: Stick to the assigned section and the content of the readings.

• I have been seeing short answers that contain massive amounts of unrelated information about the authors. In many cases, these answers are too wide and vague, meaning you aren’t answering the question.
• Stick to the assigned section of the reading for this class when answering short answer questions!
• Extra, unrelated (and sometimes incorrect) information will negatively impact your score for that question.

Instructions

When you are ready to begin your quiz/exam, click the Take the Quiz button below.

Note: If you need help building test questions, see our tips in this

document.

Explain what caused mechanical science to win the political battle over hermetic science in the 17th century. Touch on the historical event that led to this result.

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Question 2

8 pts

What is determinism? Define this concept, and then explain what is wrong with this type of thinking.

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Question 3

10 pts

Darwins theory of human evolution suggests that a significant transformation occurred in the body structure of our ancestors, which played a crucial role in shaping human evolution. Critically analyze the specific anatomical change he identified as central to this process as we focused in the Darwin module, explaining its evolutionary significance. Include why such changes took place in the first place, according to Darwin.

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Question 4

4 pts

What is Reductionism?

Group of answer choices

It is the idea sees the some important characteristics dfine objects regardless of individual differences.

It is the narrowest form of determinis that only one cause is responsible for the entire result.

It is the idea humans controlling the process of natural selection

It only focuses on the result, regardless of process, no matter how wrong the process could be.

Question 5

4 pts

What was the Royal Society?

Group of answer choices

An unofficial group of scientists who conducted research when they weren’t working at their day jobs.

The first English-language scientific society that established scientific standards and excluded women.

An English-language society established to set scientific standards for men and for women.

An American group of scientists who focused on the study of sexual selection and the evolution of humans.

Question 6

4 pts

Why did Linnaeus decide to introduce a new term, mammal?

Group of answer choices

Because he wished to promote women to abandon wet-nurse and start breast-feeding their own children.

Because he believed that the pendulous breasts of colored women were closer to nature and more suitable for nursing children.

Because it was the best term by far compared to other choices such as pirosa.

Because breasts already had cultural significance, and it was believed to have medicinal power.

Question 7

4 pts

Who was Robert Boyle?

Group of answer choices

He came up with the idea that everything (including living organisms) works like a machine.

He was one of the founding members of the Royal Society, who became the ideal of the modern scientists.

He was a naturalist of the 18th century who coined the term mammal.

He was the one who suggested masculinity should be applied to science in his writing, The Masculine Birth of Time.

Question 8

4 pts

What is craniology?

Group of answer choices

It was the measurement of cranium that was believed to provide the degree of human intelligence.

It was an approach to examine human gene to figure out whether a person was either male or female. It studied human body hair. It was believed that the less hair indicated further in the evolutionally stage.

It was an approach to examine human gene to figure out whether a person was either male or female.

It focused on the length of clavicle that was believed to provide the evidence of human evolution.

Question 9

4 pts

According to Darwin, who made and used tools in early human evolution?

Group of answer choices

Both males and females equally, depending on need.

Children, for skill development and imitation.

Males, as part of hunting and competition.

Females, primarily for food gathering and caregiving.

Elders, due to accumulated wisdom.

Environmental forces shaping behavior

Question 10

4 pts

According to Gamble, who ultimately holds the power of choice in human evolution through sexual selection?

Group of answer choices

Religious or cultural authorities.

Males, because they compete for access to mates.

Females, because they have a final say on selecting mates.

Both males and females equally, depending on the context.

Random genetic mutations.

Natural forces like climate and geography.

Question 11

4 pts

According to Darwin, what is “rudiment”?

Group of answer choices

A structure that once had a function but is now reduced or useless.

A vital organ responsible for maintaining homeostasis.

A newly evolved organ that enhances survival in specific environments.

A behavioral trait passed down through social learning.

A mutation that leads to abnormal anatomical development.