Science, Technology, and Society

4 credits

An exploration of the interdisciplinary field of science, technology, and society (STS), examining the complex interaction of science, technology, medicine and society.

The paper examines how social, political, cultural and material conditions shape scientific work, and how science, in turn, shapes society. Because of the central role of science, technology and medicine in driving modern developments, understanding the relationships among science, technology and society is crucial for understanding the history of humanity and the contemporary world. The paper explores general themes in the field of science, technology and society, as well as specific case studies involving key controversies and debates.

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will develop

• The ability to critically analyse their own assumptions about the relationships among science, medicine, technology and society
• The ability to explain developments in science, technology and medicine in terms of their interactions with social, cultural, environmental and other issues
• An in-depth knowledge of case studies involving controversies related to the social, cultural and political dimensions of science, technology and medicine
• The ability to research and analyse the subject using written and oral communications
• An appreciation of interdisciplinary perspectives