Science, Technology, and Society Requirements

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an exciting, cross-disciplinary field of study focused not only on how science and technology shape the world but also how social and cultural developments shape science and technology. Drawing on work in sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, media studies, literary history, and other fields, STS examines the deep cultural roots of our techno-scientific society and addresses pressing public policy issues. STS majors take courses across the natural, computational, and social sciences and the humanities. STS provides a fundamental liberal arts education and is excellent preparation for graduate study or future employment opportunities in public service and the private sector.

Students planning to major or minor in STS should take ST112 (Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society). Thereafter, STS students choose from a variety of electives and complete a yearlong senior research project.

The STS major has a core curriculum based on the research and teaching interests of the faculty. All courses are either U.S. or internationally focused and either science or technology-focused. Majors must complete a total of 11 courses: four required courses; four ST courses or cross-listed courses designated I, U, S, and T; and three electives. Courses taken abroad or otherwise not on this list require the approval of the STS chair.

Electives may be chosen from the list of STS-approved courses to fulfill the I, U, S, and T foci, but a course that satisfies two or more foci may not be counted twice. A student may not count more than two 100-level electives toward the major.

All senior STS majors will take ST485, which will prepare them for research through seminar readings, literature reviews, and proposal writing. This is the first part of a yearlong capstone experience in which students design and complete a final integrative project in science, technology, and society. This is followed by ST486, an intensive research and writing experience with final public presentations. Any member of the faculty may serve as an advisor for STS senior projects.

Students with a 3.5 GPA in the major (and at least a 3.25 GPA overall) may request permission to undertake an honors thesis. They will enroll in ST485 and meet with other STS seniors to prepare a literature review and proposal, which must be approved by a panel of faculty members. Students continuing in the honors program will enroll in ST484 under the supervision of an advisor and second reader. Upon successful completion of the thesis and fulfillment of all requirements for the major, and if a 3.5 GPA in the major is maintained, the student will be invited to deposit a copy of his or her thesis in Miller Library and will graduate with “Honors in Science, Technology, and Society.”

Track 1. Social-Cultural (for majors in humanities, interdisciplinary studies, and social science): Science, Technology, and Society 112 or 120A, 485, three other STS courses, and at least two courses from the list of STS-approved courses.

or

Track 2. Human Dimensions of Science (for natural science majors): Science, Technology, and Society 112 or 120A, 485, and three other STS courses; a two-course thematic cluster consisting of at least one 300-level or higher natural science, computer science, or mathematics course. The thematic cluster must be approved in advance by the STS Program in consultation with the relevant department(s). The final paper in 485 must integrate the thematic cluster with its human (social and cultural) implications.

* Key: International = I; U.S. = U; Science = S; Technology = T

American Studies

Anthropology

Art

Biochemistry

Biology

Chemistry

Computer Science

East Asian Studies

Economics

English

Environmental Studies

German

History

Mathematics

Music

Philosophy

Psychology

Science, Technology, and Society

Sociology