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 four minors or programs of study. Each minor requires 18-20 semester hours, 9 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; a few are in Area 3 or Area 7. 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 coordinator in STS to design a coherent program.

Two introductory courses are required from the following list (6 cr hrs ):
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 cr hrs 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 4504:	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 individualized concentration requires in-depth study and practice of theories and methods of science and technology. Students choose a concentration in one science or technology program; the student’s program of study must be approved by the STS undergraduate coordinator in consultation with the relevant department(s). In some fields, more than 18 credit hours may be required to complete the concentration.

Medicine and Society Minor (MSOC)

This minor offers the opportunity to develop a humanistically and culturally sensitive understanding of how people experience illness and interact with health professionals – an excellent background for those considering a career in medicine or other health sciences, and essential for everyone who is a consumer of modern health care. The minor requires 20 credit hours. Programs of study must be approved by the minor coordinator, Prof. Bernice Hausman, Department of English.

The following courses are required (14 cr hrs):
ENGL 3154:	Literature, Medicine, and Culture*
HIST 3724:	History of Disease, Medicine, and Health
SOC 4704:	Medical Sociology*
STS 3314:	Medical Dilemmas and Human Experience
STS 4994:	Undergraduate Research (2 cr hrs)
OR
BIOL 3504H:	Hospital Preceptorship (2 cr hrs)
The remaining 6 cr hrs must be selected from the following approved list:
ENGL 3534:	Literature and Ecology*
GEOG 4074:	Medical Geography*
HD 1004:	Human Development in Childhood and Adolescence
HD 3114:	Issues in Aging
HD 3314:	Human Sexuality
HD 4324:	Families and Children under Stress
HIST/STS 3705, 3706:	History of Science I, II
HIST 4214:	Topics in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine*
HUM/COMM 3204:	Multicultural Communication
PHIL 1304:	Morality and Justice
PHIL 3314:	Ethical Theory*
PHIL 4604:	Philosophy of Biology*
PSYC 3054:	Health Psychology*
REL 1044:	Religious Ethics
SOC 3714:	Sociology of Aging*
SOC 4714:	Sociology of Mental Illness*
SOC 4724:	Sociology of Death*
STS 2154:	Humanities, Technology, and the Life Sciences
STS 3105, 3106:	Science and Technology in Modern Society
STS 4304:	Contemporary Issues in Humanities, Science, and Technology
UAP 4614	Health Policy*
UH 3004:	Medical Bioethics
WS 2244:	Women and Science*
WS/STS 4704:	Gender and Science*

* These courses have a prerequisite.

Gender, Science, and Technology Minor (GST)

Co-developed by Women's Studies and STS, this minor offers the opportunity for students to cultivate an understanding of the complex ways in which gender is defined in relation to science and technology, and science and technology are defined in relation to gender. The minor coordinator is the Director of the Women's Studies Program.

The following courses are required (12 cr hrs):
WS 1824:	Introduction to Women's Studies
STS 1504:	Introduction to Humanities, Science and Technology
WS 2244:	Women and Science*
WS/STS 4704:	Gender and Science*
At least 6 cr hrs must be chosen from the following list of approved electives:
WS 3004:	Topics in Feminism* (if on science and/or technology)
WS 4224:	Women's Studies Seminar* (if the topic concerns science and/or technology)
WS 4754	Internship* (3 cr hrs maximum)
WS 4974:	Independent Study (3 cr hrs maximum)
WS 4984:	Special Study (if on science and/or technology)
STS 4304:	Contemporary Issues in Humanities, Science, and Technology (when on gender or inequality)
UAP 4214:	Women, Environment, and Development in a Global Perspective*

* These courses have a prerequisite.

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 for the Humanities, Science, and Technology minor and 24 hours from the STS and related courses listed. This is the equivalent of two HST 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 concentration, the Medicine and Society minor, or the Gender, 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 university-approved minor in the sciences, social sciences, or technology.

Advance approval of the STS undergraduate coordinator for the student's specific program of courses is required.

Graduate Program

STS jointly administers the Science and Technology Studies Graduate Program 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 National Capital Region campuses. (See the Graduate Catalog for further information.)

Note: All courses previously taught as HST are now STS.

Courses Descriptions (STS)

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