ST112: Science, Technology and Society

What is STS?

Syllabus

Introductions

Blogging

STS

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study rooted in the history, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology of science and technology (and medicine). It examines deep cultural roots of our techno-scientific society and addresses pressing public policy issues. It constitutes a fundamental aspect of a liberal arts education and is excellent preparation for graduate study or future employment opportunities.

STS is…

Interdisciplinary study of the interaction of science and technology with society and culture.

The realization that discoveries and inventions are shaped by historical forces and in turn influence values, aspirations, events, and institutions, thus shaping the course of history.

S and T in social and cultural context.

Both academic and activist.

On a personal level, STS is…

Interdisciplinary education for life.

Relevant to every field of study.

A great major or double major.

A way to improve your writing and communications skills, problem-solving abilities, and ability to adapt to changes in science and technology.

Attractive to potential employers.

Needed at all levels, in education, government, the private sector, and internationally.

• Can we control technology?

• Is technology predictable?

• History of technology

• Cultural uniformity or diversity?

• Abundance or ecological crisis?

• More or less work?

• Security or danger?

• Multiple future prospects.

Two Cultures

AntiquityWhat was known?

How was it known?For what purposes?

Who were those guys?Relevance of the past?

• Frankenstein

White Noise

Themes• Technospheres

• Play and Humor

• Top STS News Stories

• Gender, Women and Science

• Playing “god”

• Work, leisure, and technology

• GMOs

• Robots, Cyborgs

• Nanotechnology

• Weather and Climate Control

• Energy and Environment

Activities

• Your blogs and discussion 25%

• Your three critical essays 45%

• Writing tutors: Kelsey Naruse krnaruse@colby.edu

Alex Gucinski aggucins@colby.edu

• Research presentations 30%

• Several extra credit events possible 3%

Objectives• To develop sensitivity to and an awareness of the

pervasive influences of science and technology on our lives and in the world around us.

• To introduce disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of STS, specifically by studying the history and social dimensions of particular issues, their scientific and technical aspects, and by debating the often-controversial ethical choices they present us.

• To develop skills in discussion, analysis, research, writing, and presentation in this interdisciplinary field– and to sharpen our humor! See www.colby.edu/comedy for related events.

The Future

• I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past – Edward Gibbon

•  The future ain't what it used to be -- Yogi Berra

• The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet -- William Gibson

Colby STS Courses 2012-13Colby STS Courses 2012-13

STS COURSESSTS COURSESFALL

ST 112F Intro to STS (W1, Fleming)

ST 217F Feminism and Science (Peterson)

ST 258F Sociology Health Medicine (Archibald)

ST 271F History of Science in America (Fleming)

ST 285F History of Photography (Instructor)

ST 318F Philosophy of Nature (Peterson)

ST 341F Culture, Mobility, Identity (Bhimull)

ST 485F Technology Matters (Fleming)

JANUARYST 197J Sci, Tech, and the Cultural Cold War (Muir-Harmony)

ST 361J Substance Use and Abuse (Archibald)

SPRINGST 245S Science, Race, Gender (Josephson)

ST 261S Sociology of Organizations (Archibald)

ST 298S Anthropology of Science Religion (Halvorson)

ST 364S Environ. Health History Africa (Webb)

ST 486S STS Craft of Research (Fleming)

THE MAJOR (11 courses)THE MAJOR (11 courses)

112 Science, Technology, and Society (required)

485 Technology Matters (required)

486 Craft of Research or 484 Honors (required)

Four STS courses (sci, tech, US, and international)

One 200-level natural science course

Three STS 200- or higher-level approved electives

For more information visit www.colby.edu/sts or contact Prof. Fleming: jfleming@colby.edu

Sample electives: Sample electives: AY112 Cultural Anthropology, SO 131 Intro to Sociology, CH217 Environ. Chemistry, CS232 Computer Organization, EC231 Environ.

and Natural Resource Economics, PS233 Biological Basis of Behavior, PL 317 Philosophy of Science

THE MINOR (7 courses)THE MINOR (7 courses)

112 Science, Technology, and Society (required)

485 Technology Matters (required)

486 Craft of Research (required)

Two STS courses

Two STS electives

"Work the clouds and sow rain to seize a bumper harvest"

(Geng yun bo yu duo fengshou, 1976).

Blogging

• Blog #1 an informal, in-class essay on STS past and projected

• http://www.quotegarden.com/technology.html