Chair, Professor DONALD deB. BEAVER
Advisory Committee: Professors: D. BEAVER, DETHIER, L. KAPLAN, K. LEE. Associate Professor: ALTSCHULER*.
Science and Technology Studies (SCST) is an interdisciplinary program concerned with science and technology and their relationship to society. In addition to being concerned with the historical development and a philosophical understanding of the ideas and institutions of science and technology; Science and Technology Studies also examines their ethical, economic, social, and political implications.
The role that science and technology have played in shaping modern industrial societies is generally acknowledged, but few members of those societies, including scientists and engineers, possess any understanding of how that process has occurred or much knowledge of the complex technical and social interactions that direct change in either science or society. The Science and Technology Studies Program is intended to help create a coherent course of study for students interested in these questions by providing a broad range of perspectives. At the present time courses are offered which examine the history or philosophy of science and technology, the sociology and psychology of science, the economics of research and development and technological change, science and public policy, technology assessment, technology and the environment, scientometrics, and ethical-value issues.
To complete the requirements of the program, students must complete six courses. The introductory course and senior seminar are required and three elective courses are chosen from the list of designated electives. Students may choose to concentrate their electives in a single area such as technology, American studies, philosophy, history of science, economics, environment, current science, or current technology, but are encouraged to take at least one elective in history, history of science, or philosophy. The sixth course necessary to complete the program is one semester of laboratory or field science in addition to the College's three-course science requirement. Other science courses of particular interest include Chemistry 110 and Biology 134.
The program is administered by a chair and an advisory committee of faculty who teach in the program. Students who wish to enroll normally register with the chair by the fall of their junior year.
Elective Courses
ANSO 320 Health and Illness in Cross-Cultural Perspective
ArtH 304/Environmental Studies 324 American Transport History
Biology 132 Human Biology and Social Issues
Biology/Environmental Studies 134 The Tropics: Biology and Social Issues
Chemistry 113 Chemistry and Crime: From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science
Economics 225 Economics of Health and Health Care
Economics /Environmental Studies377 Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management
Environmental Studies 307/Political Science 317 Environmental Law
Environmental Studies 402 The Environment, the Individual, and Society
Environmental Studies/American Studies 405 Automobiles and American Civilization
History 309 The Social History of American Medicine (Deleted 1999-2000)
History of Science 216 Gender, Science, and Technology
History of Science 240 Technology and Science in American Culture
History of Science 305 Technology and Culture
Music 223T Music Technology for Musicians
Philosophy 209 Philosophy of Science
Philosophy 210 Philosophy of Medicine
Courses of Related Interest
ANSO 205 Ways of Knowing
Anthropology 102/Environmental Studies 106 Human Evolution: Down from the Trees, Out to the Stars
Anthropology/Environmental Studies 209 Human Ecology
Anthropology 253 Neanderthals: Gods or Monsters?
ArtH/Environmental Studies 201 American Landscape History
ArtH 257 Architecture 1700-1900
ArtH 306/Environmental Studies 326 North-American Dwellings
Environmental Studies 302 Environmental Planning and Analysis Workshop
Environmental Studies/ArtH 303 Countryside Planning
Geosciences/Environmental Studies 103 Environmental Geology and the Earth's Surface
History/History of Science 336 Magic and Science in the Middle Ages
History 356 Modern Warfare and Military Leadership
History of Science 224 Scientific Revolutions: 1543-1927
History of Science 320 History of Medicine
Mathematics 381 History of Mathematics
Physics 100 Physics of Everyday Life