Science and Technology in Society
 www.sts.vt.edu/
Ellsworth R. Fuhrman, Head
Professors: R. M. Burian; G. L. Downey; V. G. Hardcastle; D. T. Zallen
Associate Professors: B. L. Allen; D. Breslau; E. Crist; A. F. LaBerge
Assistant Professors: J. E. Abbate; S. E. Halfon; M. Wisnioski
Visiting Assistant Professors: Shannon Brown; B. J. Reeves
Undergraduate Coordinator: B. J. Reeves
Emeritus Professors: Richard M. Burian
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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 one major and four minors or programs of study.
The degree program in Humanities, Science and Environment (HSE) provides an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues, integrating humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to understand the relationship between people and the natural world. For more information or a checksheet, please contact Eileen Crist (ecrist@vt.edu).
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 Liberal Education; 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 |
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| 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/REL/AAEC 2464: |
Religion and Science |
| 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 I |
| STS/HIST 3716: |
History of Technology II |
| 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 |
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| BIOL 3504H: |
Hospital Preceptorship (2 cr hrs) |
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| 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)
1504: INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITIES, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY
An introduction to ways of considering interrelationships among three of the major dimensions of our culture: its science, its technology, and its humanistic orientation. (3H,3C)
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. (3H,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)
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)
3324 (WS 3324): PERSPECTIVES ON THE BIOLOGY OF WOMEN
Examines historical, social, and cultural views of women's biology and how those views have impacted women's physical and mental health. Special attention is paid to the influence of cultural traditions and beliefs on scientific perspectives. Pre: WS 1824. (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)
3734 (HIST 3734): HISTORY OF MODERN BIOLOGY
This course explores the development of biology from the Enlightenment to the end of the twentieth century, with a particular emphasis on biology's impact on society. (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)
4754: INTERNSHIP
Variable credit course.
4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
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