This course explores why the adage “it is in my DNA” is so true. Our experiences change our very DNA and affect how we react and behave, so that small differences we never noticed make one person at high risk for disease, another not. We will also discuss how forensics now uses DNA to construct an image of a suspect, and how small differences in DNA are routinely used in agriculture to identify the best breeder animals. The course next looks at what science is learning about how RNA modulates DNA to regulate function of our cells and how medicine can direct the modification of DNA to cure diseases. We will delve into how are we able to tell who transmitted Covid-19 to whom, and why it was not manmade. Students will come away understanding science without having to be an expert and be able to evaluate the reliability of news articles or online information to be informed rather than influenced.

Please Note: Fall 2020 Course Registration Opens Online on Monday, August 10th at 8AM (AZ Time)

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

• All Fall 2020 courses will be ONLINE ONLY.
• Courses will be delivered online via the Zoom video conferencing platform. All courses will be password protected and only available to enrolled students.
• All class sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled students for a limited time to assist those who may not be able to attend the live class times.
• The Humanities Seminars Program reserves the right to cancel any seminar that fails to meet registration minimums. If a course is canceled all students enrolled in the canceled course will receive a full refund.