Science and Technology in Society
Head: Daniel Breslau
Alumni Distinguished Professor: G.L. Downey
Professor: B.L. Allen
Associate Professors: J.E. Abbate, D. Breslau, J. H. Collier, E. Crist Patzig, S.E. Halfon, S. Schmid, and M. Wisnioski
Assistant Professors: A.S. Heflin, R. Hester, and P.R. Olson
Emeritus Professor: R.M. Burian, E.R. Fuhrman, A.F. LaBerge, and D.T. Zallen
Director of Graduate Studies: S. E. Halfon
Director of Undergraduate Studies: J. H. Collier
Undergraduate Coordinator: Carol Sue Slusser
Web: www.sts.vt.edu
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 five minors.
Degree Requirements
The graduation requirements in effect at the time of graduation apply. When choosing the degree requirements information, always choose the year of your expected date of graduation. Requirements for graduation are referred to via university publications as "Checksheets". The number of credit hours required for degree completion varies among curricula. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion.
The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program. However, the university will not alter degree requirements less than two years from the expected graduation year unless there is a transition plan for students already in the degree program.
Please visit the University Registrar website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation/checksheets/index.html for degree requirements.
Humanities, Science, and Environment Minor (HSE)
This minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues, integrating humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to understand the relationship between people and the natural world.
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.
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; coupled with 9 credit hours of STS courses; the student's program of study must be approved by the STS undergraduate coordinator. In some fields, more than 18 credit hours may be required to complete the concentration.
Medicine and Society Minor (MSOC)
The Medicine and Society minor focuses on the humanistic aspects of medical practice, pressing bioethical questions, and the subjective experience of illness and health. The MSOC minor provides an essential education for anyone curious about the role of medicine in past eras and contemporary culture, and it provides an excellent background for those considering a career in medicine or other health care professions. The minor requires 21 credit hours with at least 14 hours at the 3000 or 4000 level.
Faculty advisors as well as other program information are available on the MSOC Scholar site. Log in to Scholar and go to MY WORKSPACE. Click on MEMBERSHIP, and then click on JOINABLE SITES. Scroll through until MEDICINE AND SOCIETY appears. Students have to join the site as a guest in order to see the pages. Once enrolled, students will be added as participants.
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.
Contact Carol Sue Slusser in 121 Lane Hall or vie email at slusserc@t.edu, for more information or to enroll in one of these minors.
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.)
Undergraduate Course Descriptions (STS)
1504: INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
Introduction to the interrelationship among science,
technology, and society. Study of how science, including
medicine, and technology are defined and analyzed by the
humanities and social sciences. Examination of topics,
theories, and methods of the field of Science and Technology
Studies. Depiction of the dynamics of scientific and
technological controversies including the roles knowledge,
expertise, risk, rhetoric and public understanding play in
policy making.
(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 (RLCL 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.
2974H: 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)
3334: ENERGY AND SOCIETY
Examines the interconnections between energy use
and social life. Considers the ways that modern social
institutions, such as states, cities, and households are
shaped by energy systems, particularly the pervasive use of
fossil fuels. Explores the influence of energy extraction
and commerce on economic development and global
politics. Surveys major contemporary problems related to
energy, including climate change and natural resource
depletion. Develops an interdisciplinary framework, drawing
insights from history, sociology, and economics, for
evaluating policies to transition to a sustainable energy
system.
(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 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
Examination of social and cultural issues that shape, and
are shaped by, the conduct of scientific, technological, and
medical research and activity. Topics such as human genetic
and technological enhancement; surveillance techologies and
civil rights; environmental intervention and preservation;
precautionary and proactionary approaches to public policy
making. Course repeatable up to 12 hours with different
topics. Junior Standing.
Pre: STAT 1504.
(3H,3C)
4314 (ENGL 4314): NARRATIVE MEDICINE
Introduction to the field of narrative medicine, with
attention to narrative competencies, the use of narrative
medical education, and the function of narratives in the
experience of healing. Includes narrative approaches to
biomedical ethics.
Pre: ENGL 3154 or ENGL 3324.
(3H,3C)
4334 (SOC 4334) (WGS 4334): SEXUAL MEDICINE
Discusses sex and medicine in contemporary U.S. society.
Explores how notions of sexual behavior and "normality" are
defined and structured by medical discourse. Examines
cultural institutions that play significant roles in
formulating ideas about and definitions of deviance,
perversity, and tolerated marginality. Critiques medical
responses to sexual variations. Examines experiences of
people who have sought out, or been the unwilling victims
of, sexual medicine. Junior standing required.
Pre: WGS 1824.
(3H,3C)
4704 (WGS 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 WGS 2244.
(3H,3C)
4754: INTERNSHIP
Variable credit course.
4964: FIELD STUDY
Pass/Fail only. Variable credit course.
4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4974H: INDEPENDENT STUDY
Variable credit course.
4984: SPECIAL STUDY
Variable credit course.
4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.
4994H: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Variable credit course.