College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Science and Technology in Society

Overview

• The Department of Science and Technology in Society (STS) offers interdisciplinary work at both the undergraduate and graduate levels that contributes to our understanding of the relations among science, technology, and society. At the undergraduate level, it offers two minors programs of study. Each minor requires 18 semester hours, nine of which must be at the 3000 and 4000 levels. STS also offers a degree option in Science and Technology in society under the IDST major.
• The two main themes in STS courses are: (a) the human and social dimensions of science and technology; and (b) the historical, societal, and value issues pertaining to the biological sciences, physical sciences, engineering, and technology. Most STS courses qualify for credit in Area 2 of the Core Curriculum. The 1000-level course examines how contemporary values influence developments in science and technology and, in turn, how science and technology help shape our values and influence the society in which we live. Courses at the 2000 level survey issues pertaining to a particular area of the sciences or engineering. Courses at the 3000 level focus on conceptual issues, examining formative ideas and cultural traditions, identifying the historical trajectories that brought these into existence, and enabling students to imagine and critically assess alternative futures. Finally, courses at the 4000 level explore the value dimensions of a specific topic, such as environmental science, health care, science and pseudo-science, and computerization.

Humanities, Science, and Technology Minor (HST)

• This minor may be designed to emphasize combinations of moral, aesthetic, intellectual, political, historical, philosophical, and sociological dimensions of science, technology, and medicine, through case studies and in-depth analysis. Students work with the undergraduate in STS to design a coherent program.

Two introductory courses are required from the following list (6 semester hours):
STS 1504:	Introduction to Humanities, Science and Technology
STS/HIST 2054:	Engineering Cultures
STS 2154:	Humanities, Technology, and the Life Sciences
STS 2354:	Humanities, Technology, and the Physical Sciences
STS 3105:	Science and Technology in Modern Society
The remaining 12 hours needed to complete the minor must be drawn from the following STS and related courses:
STS 1504:	Introduction to Humanities, Science and Technology
STS/HIST 2054:	Engineering Cultures
STS 2154:	Humanities, Technology, and the Life Sciences
STS 2354:	Humanities, Technology, and the Physical Sciences
STS 3105:	Science and Technology in Modern Society
STS 3314:	Medical Dilemmas and Human Experience
STS/HIST 3705:	History of Science I
STS/HIST 3706:	History of Science II
STS/HIST 3715:	History of Technology
STS/HIST 3716:	History of Technology
STS 4304:	Contemporary Issues in Humanities, Science, and Technology
STS 4505:	Science, the Scientist, and Society
STS/WS 4704:	Science and Gender
STS 4754:	Internship
STS 4964:	Field Study
STS 4974:	Independent Study
STS 4984:	Special Study
STS 4994:	Undergraduate Research
GEOG 4074:	Medical Geography*
HIST 3144:	American Environmental History
HIST 3724:	History of Disease, Medicine, and Health
HIST 4214:	Topics in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology
PHIL 2605:	Reason in Science
PHIL 2606:	Revolution in Science
PHIL 4604:	Philosophy of Biology
PHIL 4614:	Philosophy of Science*
SOC 4804:	Sociology of Science*
SOC 4814:	Sociology of Technology*

*These courses have a prerequisite.

Science and Technology Concentration (ST)

• This self-designed concentration requires in-depth study and practices of theories and methods of science and technology. Students choose a concentration in one science or technology program; the student’s must be approved by the minor coordinator in consultation with the relevant department(s). In some minors, more than 18 semester hours may be required to complete the concentration.

Science and Technology in Society Degree Option

• Students wishing to pursue the degree option in STS under the IDST major choose 12 hours from the introductory courses listed and 24 hours from the STS and related courses listed. This is the equivalent of two STS minors with no course overlap.
• Students may also satisfy the degree option in STS under the IDST major by combining the 18-hour Humanities, Science, and Technology minor with the Science and Technology minor.
• Students may also satisfy the degree option in STS under the IDST major by combining the 18-hour Humanities, Science, and Technology minor with an existing approved IDST minor in the sciences, social sciences, or technology.
• Advance approval of the specific program of courses is required.

Graduate Program

• STS is responsible for the Science and Technology Studies Graduate Program, administered in close cooperation with the departments of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology. The program offers the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at both the Blacksburg and Northern Virginia campuses. (See the Graduate Catalog for further information).

Note: all courses previously taught as HST are now STS

Courses Descriptions (STS)

2054 (HIST 2054): ENGINEERING CULTURES
Development of engineering and its cultural roles in historical and cross-national perspectives. Explores roles of engineers and engineering in popular life, development of national styles, changing values in engineering problem solving, and effects of evolving forms of capitalism. (2H,3C)

2154: HUMANITIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE LIFE SCIENCES
Examines the value-laden issues surrounding the professional dimensions of research in the biological and life sciences and provides humanistic perspectives on the role and function of science in society. (3H,3C)

2354: HUMANITIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Examines the value-laden issues surrounding the professional dimensions of research in the physical sciences and technology, and provides humanistic perspectives on the role and function of science in society. (3H,3C)

2464 (AAEC 2464) (REL 2464): RELIGION AND SCIENCE
Exploration of the relationships between religion and science in the western tradition. Topics include: basic frameworks for relationships between religion and science in historical and cultural context; types of human knowledge and truth; similarities and differences between science and religion; evolution; ecology; and contemporary issues. (3H,3C)

2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

2984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

3105, 3106: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN MODERN SOCIETY
Examination of science and technology as social and cultural activities in the modern world. 3105: institutions and values in science and technology; 3106: value conflicts and decision making in science and technology. (3H,3C)

STS 3314: MEDICAL DILEMMAS AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE
This course will explore medical dilemmas from a humanistic perspective, including topics related to assisted reproduction, genetic testing and treatment, organ transplantation, clinical trials, end-of-life interventions, and decisions regarding allocation of health-care resources. (3H, 3C).

3705, 3706 (HIST 3705, 3706): HISTORY OF SCIENCE
Conceptual and institutional development of physical and biological sciences viewed within a cultural and societal context. 3705: Early Science; 3706: Modern Science (3H,3C)

3715, 3716: (HIST 3715, 3716) HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY
Description of the development of technology and engineering in their social contexts. 3715: from prehistory to the industrial revolution in Europe and the United States, mid-19 century; 3716: from mid-19th century to the present. (3H,3C)

3984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4304: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN HUMANITIES, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY
Contemporary humanistic issues, such as human freedom and the quality of life, emerging from scientific and technological research in the areas of genetic and reproductive interventions, biotechnology, and environmental studies. Junior standing is required. (3H,3C)

4504: SCIENCE, THE SCIENTIST, AND SOCIETY
The intellectual climate, social environment, and personal motivations that affected a noteworthy scientist during his or her research career, for example, Darwin, Curie, Freud, and Einstein. (3H,3C)

4704 (WS 4704): GENDER AND SCIENCE
Investigates the gender dimensions of science in both historical and contemporary perspectives. Discusses feminist studies of science, exploring strengths and limitations. Assess implications of cultural assumptions about gender for practicing scientists. A 3000 level course in science or engineering may satisfy the prerequisite. Pre: 1504 or WS 2244. (3H,3C)

4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.

4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.

4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.

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