This aim of this project is for you to demonstrate the skills you've learned about interpreting scientific myths and heroes from class presentation, discussion and Fara's Newton: The Making of a Genius.

1. Find a short popular history or vignette from a science text, the web or other informal source for the public (outside class case studies). Select one that interests you or perhaps is related to your major field of study. (Stumped?: Some ideas.)
2. Copy it and document fully where someone can find it. A copy is due by SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 for approval.
3. Research: Find a credible historical source to evaluate your popular account. [ Some help here. ]
4. Summarize the popular account briefly. Next, discuss the nature of the historical evidence or authority/credibility of your second account. In both cases, be sure to cite the source(s) completely(!).
5. Compare or contrast the popular account with the historical information, commenting, as we have in class, on any of the following (as appropriate):
   • Identify any outright errors in this account.
   • Describe any other ways the account is flawed, significantly incomplete, biased or misleading.
   • Analyze the perspective of the author(s) and the implicit (or explicit?!) purposes of the popular account. Who are its intended readers? What is the implied "moral" of the story?
   • If relevant, perhaps comment on the rhetoric or how the story is told.
   • Profile similarities or differences with Fara's parallel analysis of the story of Newton's apple.
   • Perhaps comment on any accompanying images or other features of the presentation's context.
   * * * Remember to show off your interpretive skills. * * *
6. In your commentary, compare features of your account to at least one other from Fara's analysis or class presentation.

last revised Sept. 6, 2005