printer friendly pageSTS 1: The Public Life of Science and Technology
Focus on key social, cultural, and values issues raised by contemporary scientific and technological developments through STS interdisciplinary lens that encompasses historical dimensions (e.g., legacy of scientific revolution); technological impact (e.g., affordances of new tools and media); economic and management aspects (e.g., business models, design and engineering strategies); legal and ethical elements (e.g., intellectual property, social justice); and societal response and participation (e.g., media coverage, forms of activism).
Terms: Win
| Units: 5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Findlen, P. (PI)
;
Heer, J. (PI)
;
Willinsky, J. (PI)
;
Alperin, J. (TA)
;
Edgar, B. (TA)
;
Hutt, E. (TA)
;
Kabayadondo, Z. (TA)
;
Sperling, S. (TA)
STS 101: Science, Technology, and Contemporary Society (ENGR 130, STS 201)
Key social, cultural, and values issues raised by contemporary scientific and technological developments; distinctive features of science and engineering as sociotechnical activities; major influences of scientific and technological developments on 20th-century society, including transformations and problems of work, leisure, human values, the fine arts, and international relations; ethical conflicts in scientific and engineering practice; and the social shaping and management of contemporary science and technology.
Last offered: Autumn 2011
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
STS 110: Ethics and Public Policy (MS&E 197, PUBLPOL 103B)
Ethical issues in science- and technology-related public policy conflicts. Focus is on complex, value-laden policy disputes. Topics: the nature of ethics and morality; rationales for liberty, justice, and human rights; and the use and abuse of these concepts in policy disputes. Case studies from biomedicine, environmental affairs, technical professions, communications, and international relations.
Last offered: Winter 2012
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, GER:EC-EthicReas, WAY-ER
STS 112: Ten Things: An Archaeology of Design (CLASSART 113, CLASSART 213)
Connections among science, technology, society and culture by examining the design of a prehistoric hand axe, Egyptian pyramid, ancient Greek perfume jar, medieval castle, Wedgewood teapot, Edison's electric light bulb, computer mouse, Sony Walkman, supersonic aircraft, and BMW Mini. Interdisciplinary perspectives include archaeology, cultural anthropology, science studies, history and sociology of technology, cognitive science, and evolutionary psychology.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3-5
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors:
Shanks, M. (PI)
STS 115: Ethical Issues in Engineering
Moral rights and responsibilities of engineers in relation to society, employers, colleagues, and clients; cost-benefit-risk analysis, safety, and informed consent; the ethics of whistle blowing; ethical conflicts of engineers as expert witnesses, consultants, and managers; ethical issues in engineering design, manufacturing, and operations; ethical issues arising from engineering work in foreign countries; and ethical implications of the social and environmental contexts of contemporary engineering. Case studies, guest practitioners, and field research. Limited enrollment.
Last offered: Spring 2012
| UG Reqs: GER:DB-Hum, WAY-ER
STS 130: Music Machines: Sound, Technology & Culture
"Sound history," Jonathan Sterne writes, "indexes changes in human nature and the human body; in life and in death." This interdisciplinary course considers the intertwined histories of sound and society, asking how developments in sound technologies in the past century have engaged with the culture at large. Through a study of history, film, literature, music and media theory, we will look at the ways in which sound technologies have both provoked and reflected cultural change, as well as evolving attitudes towards human bodies; bodies that sing, dance, perform, create, love, live and die.
Terms: Sum
| Units: 4
Instructors:
Chang, V. (PI)
STS 140: Science, Technology and Politics
This course will critically interrogate the relationship between science and technology and politics. Politics plays a significant role in the production of scientific knowledge and technological artifacts. Science and technology in turn constitute crucial elements of politics and governance in modern democracy. This course will explore these interactions through key STS texts and case studies of such issues as climate change, race science, urban planning, voting machines, and information technology in social movements.
Terms: Spr
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors:
Sato, K. (PI)
STS 152: Nuclear Weapons, Risk and Hope
Recent research indicates that depending on nuclear weapons for our security is thousands of times riskier than society will tolerate with respect to nuclear power plants. This seminar explores methods for estimating the risk, why society ignores the danger, and what can be done to correct that imbalance. No prerequisites, and at a level understandable to non-majors, including in the humanities.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 1
Instructors:
Hellman, M. (PI)
STS 190: Issues in Technology and the Environment
Humans have long shaped and reshaped the natural world with technologies. Once a menacing presence to conquer or an infinite reserve for resources, nature is now understood to require constant protection from damage and loss. This course will examine humanity's varied relationship with the environment, with a focus on the role of technology. Topics include: industrialization, modernism, nuclear technology, and biotechnology. Students will explore theoretical and methodological approaches in STS and conduct original research that addresses this human-nature-technology nexus. Preference to STS juniors.
Terms: Win
| Units: 4
| UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors:
Sato, K. (PI)
STS 199: Individual Work
Every unit of credit is understood to represent three hours of work per week per term and is to be agreed upon between the student and the faculty member.
Terms: Aut, Win, Spr
| Units: 1-5
| Repeatable
for credit
Instructors:
Das, A. (PI)
;
Dearing, M. (PI)
;
Fullwiley, D. (PI)
...
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