SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY - STS

STS (WGS) 210Women and Gender In Science and Technology3(3-0-0) F
Interdisciplinary introduction to the reciprocal relationships between scientific/technological research and contemporary understanding of gender. Special emphasis on social factors influencing scientists and engineers in their professions.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 214Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society3(3-0-0) F
Introduction to the field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS), including most important STS scholars, major schools of thought, and important theoretical and empirical issues in STS.
Course Offerings: fall


STS (ARS) 257Technology in the Arts3(3-0-0) F
The interaction between technology and the arts with an emphasis on developments in Western art of the twentieth century. Historical and emerging issues include: sound and film recordings, the addition of sound to films, the impact of films and television on theater, the impact of radio, computer applications to music, the visual arts, and literature.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 301Science and Civilization3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum
Preq: Sophomore standing
An inquiry into the scientific achievement and cultural impact of three different, but interrelated, models (or paradigms) of understanding the world and man's place in it; the Ancient-Medieval model of Aristotle, Ptolemy and Aquinas; the 17th century model of Newtonian physics; and the emerging, but fragmentary, 20th century model based upon the new physics of Einstein, Planck and Heisenberg.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 302Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values3(3-0-0) F,S
Preq: Sophomore standing
Interdisciplinary evaluation of recent and potential influences of current scientific and technological developments on society. Emerging social, ethical, and intellectual issues include: The adequacy of contemporary scientific frameworks; the relations among science, technology, and society; the social consequences of scientific and technological applications, and human prospects and possibilities.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sprg


STS 303Humans and the Environment3(3-0-0) F,S
Interactions among human populations in the biophysical system and the environment. Emphasis on current issues, ecological principles and their relationships to basic biophysical processes; considers food, population dynamics, public land and common resources, renewable natural resources, pollution, water resources, energy and non-renewable resources.


STS 304Ethical Dimensions of Progress3(3-0-0) F
Multidisciplinary examination of traditional western notion of progress, focusing on ethical issues raised by concept of progress, and connections between science, technology and society. Places relationships such as engineering and social responsibility within the context of present day redefinitions of the notion of progress.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 320Ethics in Engineering3(3-0-0) S
Preq: Junior standing
Engineering in American culture and the emerging ethical issues confronting the profession: corporate responsibility, personal rights, whistle blowing, conflicts of interest, professional autonomy, risk assessment, sustainable development, and the place and purpose of Engineering codes of ethics.


STS 322Technological Catastrophes3(3-0-0) F
Preq: Sophomore standing
Interdisciplinary examination of the human, organizational and technical factors contributing to the causes and impacts of recent technological accidents such as the Bhopal chemical leak, the space shuttle Challenger explosion, the Chernobyl nuclearaccident, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Evaluation of risk assessment, risk perception and risk communication strategies. Consideration of options for living with complex technological systems.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sprg


STS 323World Population and Food Prospects3(3-0-0) S
Examination of the dynamics of population size and food needs, production, distribution and utilization. Consequences of inadequate nutrition and food choices, efforts to increase the compatibility of effective food production systems and alternate crops and cropping systems examined.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 324Alternative Futures3(3-0-0) F,S
Perspectives on possible alternative futures as well as the cutting edge of the present. Nature and likelihood of various alternatives. Methodology and limitations of forecasting, selected futurist issues and interactions between present and possible future technologies and human values.


STS (PHI) 325Bio-Medical Ethics3(3-0-0) F,S
Interdisciplinary examination and appraisal of emerging ethical and social issues resulting from recent advances in the biological and medical sciences. Abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide, compromised infants, aids, reproductive technologies, and health care. Focus on factual details and value questions, fact-value questions, fact-value interplay, and questions of impact assessment and policy formulation.
Course Offerings: fall sprg


STS 326Technology Assessment3(3-0-0) S
Impacts of technologies as they are applied in society. Description and forecasting of effects, interactions, and potential irreversibilities.


STS 402Peace and War in the Nuclear Age3(3-0-0) S
An interdisciplinary examination of contemporary wars and international conflict, arms, races, nuclear strategy and defense policy, arms control, theories and strategies of peace.


STS 403Seminar in Science, technology, and Society3(3-0-0) S
Preq: STS 214, STS or STB Majors
Capstone course for the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) major. Review of the principal theoretical and empirical issues of the field. Research project focused on each student's STS specialty.
Course Offerings: sprg


STS 405Technology and American Culture3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum
An interdisciplinary study of the role of technology in American culture which examines the ideological, political, social, economic, and institutional contexts of technological change from the 1760's to the present, and explores the cultural impacts of new technological systems.


STS 412Entering the 21st Century:Agricultural,Technological & Environmental Perspective3(3-0-0) S, Alt. yrs.(odd)
Systems approach to predictions about the world in the 21st century from the perspectives of agricultural and environmental studies. Attention to food production, fisheries, forests, water, energy, material resources for fuel, climate, and population. Guest lectures and class projects.


STS 451The Practice of Science and the Arts3(3-0-0) F
Preq: Junior standing
An introduction to the practice of scientists and artists in terms of the beginning of their projects, their modes of moving forward, their goals, and the nature of completeness in their work. The relation of art and science in theory and practice.


STS (REL) 471Darwinism and Christianity3(3-0-0) F, Alt. Yrs. (even)
Preq: One course in religious studies, biological sciences, philosophy of science, or history of science
Evolutionary biology and Christianity. Darwin's evolutionary theory; neo-Darwinism; conflicts between evolutionary theory and Christian thought; methodological parallels and differences between science and religion; proposals for divine action in anevolutionary world.
Course Offerings: fall


STS 484Cross Cultural Technology Transfer3(3-0-0) F
Technology transfer into cultures with different values and traditions. Special attention to the role of local and international organizations and to gender and environmental concerns. Case studies: crop science, water, energy, forest resources, banking, information technology


STS (IDS) 490Issues in Science, Technology, and Society3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum
Preq: Junior standing
Examination of a significant issue, method, or historical episode in the area of science, technology, and society.
Course Offerings: sprg


STS 491Independent Study in Science, Technology, and Society3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum
Preq: Consent of Instructor and Departmental approval required
Independent investigation and discussion of a selected topic in science, technology, and society.
Course Offerings: fall sum1 sum2 sprg