Fertilization Metaphors- Case Notes

SCI Home | SCI Faculty Page | Cover Sheet | Reference List | Users Notes

Author - Mary Kot- Summer 1997

Background A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term is transferred from the object it ordinarily designates to an object it may designate only by implicit comparison or analogy (The American Heritage Dictionary). Maps and pictures are both mental or visual representations used to do the same thing, but without using language. In this unit we will explore how metaphors, maps and pictures are used to create consensible and consensual scientific communication. To do this we will use examples from reproductive biology.

Day I Reading Assignment:

• Small, M (1 991). Sperm Wars: The Battle for Conception. Discover July, 1991. pp 48-53.
• Gilbert, SF (1991). Chapter 2: Fertilization-Beginning a new organism in Developmental Bilogy. Sinauer: Sunderland, Mass. P 33-52. NB.: you are reading an edited and paraphrased version of this text.

Pre-Class Writing Assignment:

Next to each type of phrase listed below be sure to record the page number and paragraph so that you can easily locate it during our discussion.

1. List at least 10 phrases used to describe sperm in the Sperm Wars article.
2. List at least IO phrases used to describe sperm in the Fertilization Chapter.
3. List at least 5 phrases used to describe eggs, ova, oocytes in the Sperm Wars article.
4. List at least 5 phrases used to describe eggs, ova, oocytes in the Fertilization Chapter.
5. List at least 5 phrases used to describe the progress of sperm to the egg in the Sperm Wars article.
6. List at least 5 phrases used to describe the progress of sperm to the egg in the Fertilization Chapter.
7. List at least 5 phrases used to describe the interaction of the sperm and egg at the site of fertilization in the Sperm Wars article.
8. List at least 5 phrases used to describe the interaction of the sperm and egg at the site of fertilization in the Fertilization Chapter.

Day I Class Discussion:

• Initial In-Class Writing Assignment: Write a one paragraph essay describing the events of fertilization.
• Discussion of the Events of Fertilization
• Discussion of the metaphors used to describe sperm, eggs, and the events of fertilization
• Ending In-Class Writing Assignment Write another one paragraph essay describing the events of fertilization.
• Collection of lists and writing assignments

Day 2 Reading Assignment:

Freedman, DH (1 992). The Aggressive Egg. Discover June, 1992. pp 61-65.

Ziman, J (1978). Reliable Knowledge: An Exploration of the Grounds for Belief in Science. Cambridge Press: Cambridge, England. University Chapter 4: World maps and pictures pp 77-92

Pre-Class Writing Assignment:

Next to each phrase listed below be sure to record the page number and paragraph so that you can easily locate it during our discussion.

1. List at least 5 phrases used to describe sperm in The Aggressive Egg article.
2. List at least 5 phrases used to describe eggs, ova, or oocytes in The Aggressive Egg article.
3. List at least 5 phrases used to describe the progress of sperm to the egg in The Aggressive Egg article.
4. List at least 3 reasons why Martin believes that the the common fertilization metaphors that we discussed in class are used.
5. Write a definition for each of the following as described by Ziman.

• material map
• map
• scientific theory
• picture
• paradigms

Day 2 Class Discussion:

• Discussion of the beginning- and ending-class writing assignment on fertilization.
• Discussion of metaphors, maps and pictures using fertilization as our reference.
• Collection of lists and writing assignments