2002-2003 Catalogue
2001-2002 Catalogue

This information was last updated on: 12/08/04 1:28:26 PM

Two-letter course code: ST

Director, Associate Professor Paul Josephson

Advisory Committee: Professors Frank Fekete (Biology), James Fleming (Science, Technology, and Society), Fernando Gouvêa (Mathematics), Robert McArthur (Philosophy), Leonard Reich (Administrative Science and Science, Technology, and Society), Dale Skrien (Computer Science), and James Webb (History); Associate Professors Jonathan Hallstrom (Music) and Josephson (History); Assistant Professors Randolph Jones (Computer Science), Jennifer Shosa (Geology), Judy Stone (Biology), and Andrea Tilden (Biology)

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) examines the social and cultural implications of discoveries, theories, and inventions—of natural knowledge and material culture—both in America and globally. The field has deep intellectual roots in the history, philosophy, and sociology of science and technology. STS is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study for students from all majors. It constitutes a fundamental aspect of a liberal arts education.

Science and technology have become increasingly important components of our world, changing the ways we live, work, and think. The well being of individuals, nations, and, ultimately, our Earth depends in part on technoscientific developments that are part of the process shaping both the social fabric and the natural environment.

By choosing from a variety of electives, students in the STS Program are introduced to critical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the interactions of science, technology, and society. Students gain an understanding of the historical and social dimensions of science and technology; they also become better-informed citizens of our high-tech society. STS requires no special technical expertise.

Requirements for the Major in Science, Technology, and Society
The STS major has a core curriculum based on the research and teaching interests of faculty. All courses are either U. S. or internationally focused and either science or technology focused. Students must take the following 11 courses (see also STS Approved Courses):

	1.	ST 112 /HI 116:	Introduction to STS (required)
	2.	ST 485:	STS Senior Seminar: Theories and Methods of Research (required)
	3.	ST 486: or ST 492:	STS Senior Project: Written and Oral Communication of Research Independent Study *
	4.	1 Science or computer science course above the college requirement (take at the 200 level or above)
	5.	1 STS Technology course +
	6.	1 STS Science Course +
	7.	1 STS U. S.-focused course +
	8.	1 STS Internationally-focused course +
	9-11.	3 ST 2xx or higher level courses
	* With the permission of the STS director, students may substitute another 400-level course or senior thesis in an appropriate discipline for ST 486
	+ Chosen from the list of STS approved courses (see STS Approved Courses). A U.S.-, International-, Technology- or Science-focused course that satisfies two or more foci (see STS Approved Courses) may not be counted twice.

Of the last seven courses listed above (one STS technology, one STS Science, one STS U.S. focused, one STS internationally focused, and three ST 200 or higher-level courses) all may be ST courses. But at least 3 must be ST courses, including any that are from other departments but are cross-listed ST by the registrar. A student may not count more than three 1xx level classes toward the major.

Senior Projects and Senior Honors Theses
Every senior will take ST 485, which will prepare him/her for research through seminar readings, literature reviews, and proposal writing. This is the first part of a year-long "capstone" experience in which students design and complete a final integrative project in Science, Technology, and Society (STS). This is followed by ST 486, an intensive writing experience with a final public presentation, or ST 492 (Independent Study) or other 400-level courses in an appropriate discipline with the approval of the STS chair. Students with a 3.5 GPA in the major (and at least 3.25 overall) may request permission to undertake an honors thesis.

Requirements for the Minor in Science, Technology, and Society
Science, Technology, and Society 112, 485 (or equivalent), 486, two other STS courses, and at least two courses from the following list.

STS Approved Courses

	Key: I = International | U = U.S. | S = Science | T = Technology
	AN 252	Hunger, Poverty and Population	I
	AN 256	Land, Food, Culture, and Power	I
	AN 273	Medical Anthropology	I
	BI 115	Biology of Women	U, S
	BI 133	Microorganisms and Society	U, S
	BI 134	Darwin on Trial	U, S
	BI 245	Biology, Race and Gender	U, S
	BI 271	Introduction to Ecology	S
	BI 274	Neurobiology	S
	BI 275	Mammalian Physiology	S
	BI 493	Problems in Environmental Science	S
	CH 112	Chemistry for Citizens	U, S
	CH118	Chemistry of Life	S
	CH 217	Environmental Chemistry	S
	CS 111	Weaving the Web	T
	CS 113	Great Ideas in Computer Science	U, T
	CS 232	Computer Organization	T
	CS 353	Artificial Intelligence	T
	EC 222	Health Economics	S, T
	EC 231	Environment and Natural Resources	U, S
	ES 118	Environment and Society	U
	ES 235	Sustainable Development	I, S
	ES 319	Conservation Biology	S
	ES 334	International Environmental Law	I
	GE 131	Environmental Geology	U, S
	GO 333	Globalization and Social Justice	I
	GO 334	International Environmental Regimes	I
	HI 244	Changing Notions of Progress	I, U, T
	HI 245	Science, Race and Gender	I, U, S
	HI 246	Luddite Rantings	U, I, T
	HI 394	Ecological History	I, S
	HI 445	Nuclear Madness	I, U, T
	HI 446	Historical Epidemiology	I, S
	HI 481	Ecological Change in World	I, S
	HI 497	Science, Government, and Culture	I, U, S, T
	MA 376	History of Mathematics	S
	MU 213	Introduction to Computer Music	T
	PL 126	Philosophy and the Environment	U, S
	PL 212	Philosophy and Technology	U, T
	PL 213	Philosophical Inquiries into Race	I, S
	PL 317	Philosophy of Science	S
	PS 197	Virtual Reality	T
	PS 233	Physiological Psychology	S
	PS 374	Human Neuropsychology	S
	PS 477	History and Systems of Psychology	S
	PH 111	From Galileo to Einstein	I, S
	PH 115	The Shadow of the Bomb	I, T
	PH 116	Chaos and Complexity	S
	PH 197	Environmental Physics	S
SO 333	Globalization	I, S
SO 356	Health and Illness	I, S
ST 112	Science, Technology, and Society	(required)
ST 115	Digital Photography and Imaging
ST 215	Weather, Climate and Society	I, S
ST 251	US Industry, Technology, and Society since 1900	U, T
ST 271	History of Science in America	U, S
ST 273	Apocalypse Now	I, T
ST 275	Science, Technology, and Politics	U, T
ST 281	Global Environmental History	I, T
ST 356	The Biography of Oil	I, T
ST 393	Technology, War, and Society	I, T
ST 485	Senior Seminar: Theories and Methods	(required)
ST486	Senior Project	(may be substituted)
ST 491	Independent Study
ST 492	Independent Study
	Key: I = International | U = U. S. | S = Science | T = Technology