Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society 1

J. J. Joaquin 2T 2011-2012

What is STS all about?

Science &Technology Studies (STS)
How social factors (politics, gender, culture, etc.) influence scientific/technological research and development How developments in science and technology, in turn, influence the development of society

A Bit of History
The STS program was born circa 1960-1970 as a criticism, typically by the humanities and social sciences, of the special status of the natural sciences.

Themes of Research and their Pedigree

History and Politics
Foucaults The Birth of the Clinic

Sociology and Psychology

Latours Laboratory Life

Philosophy
Kuhns The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Our Course
This is an experimental STS course. It is experimental in terms of its content and set-up.

Content
In effect, instead of asking what social factors affect(ed) the development of science and technology (a question which assumes the truth of the criticisms of science), we start with a more basic question (a question which started the whole STS business).

Our Question
What makes science so special? What makes science, the natural and pure theoretical sciences, have its special status? Consider:
We give higher credence to a doctors medical advise, an engineers design of a bridge, and the findings of molecular biologists about dengue than what non-experts tell us about each of them.

Why is this so?

Our Objectives
Main Objective: To understand the nature of science (why it has its special status).
To know the main features that makes science the way it is To understand the motivations behind, and the criticisms against, the idea that science really has a special status To create for ourselves a critical conception of what science really is

Course Plan
This course is divided into three parts:
The Epistemic Status of Science and the Rational Reconstruction Program Critics of Science: Historicism and Social Constructivism Divergence and Convergence of the Two Programs

Note: This is a reading/activity course!!!

Requirements
50% Activities 30% Exam 20% Final Science Fair Project

Set-up
Lecture/Tutorial Sessions Venue: A903 Three Facilitators:
Lecturer: Me Activity Facilitators: Mark, RJ, and Me

Advisory Classes

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