STS 2011 - What Is Science? An Introduction to the Social Studies of Science and Technology

(crosslisted)
(also SOC 2100) (CA-AS)

Fall. 3-4 credits, variable.

Students interested in the 4-credit Writing in the Majors option must get permission of instructor. Limited to 15 students.

P. Doing.

Introduces some of the central ideas in the field of S&TS. As well as serving as an introduction to students who plan to major in Biology and Society or in Science and Technology Studies, the course is aimed at students with backgrounds in either the sciences or the humanities who are challenged to think more critically about what we mean by science, what counts as scientific knowledge and why, and how science and technology intervene in the wider world. The course is a mixture of lecture, discussion, and other activities. The discussion sections are an integral part of the course and attendance is required. In addition, a series of written assignments throughout the semester and a take-home final during exam week compose the majority of the grade.