ENV SOC SCI & HUMNS 5110

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (STS) STUDIES (3 credits)

Course Homepage

http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/homepages/carl_mitcham/courses_taught/5110/

Location

Center for Science and Technology Policy Research
1333 Grandview Avenue (View Map)

Time

Tuesdays, 4.00-6.30pm

Instructor Contact Information

Prof. Carl Mitcham (Faculty Associate
Center for Science and Technology Policy Research
and
Professor of Liberal Arts and International Studies
Colorado School of Mines)
Phone: 303 273 3648
Best contact: cmitcham@mines.edu, always with STS somewhere in the subject line

Basic Course Description

A critical introduction to science, technology, and society relationships and their scholarly analysis.

Elaborating Introductory Note

The rise of modern science and technology has presented a series of challenges to society.  In the 1500s and 1600s (with the Scientific Revolution led by such figures as Galileo, Bacon, Descartes, and Newton) and again in the 1800s (with Darwin) conflicts arose between science and religion; these conflicts have continued into the present.  In the late 1700s and 1800s (with the Industrial Revolution led by inventors such as Watt) special problems arose for economics and politics; these problems have been resolved by neither capitalism, socialism, nor democracy.  The 20th century advent of nuclear weapons, electronic computers, and biotechnologies — followed by 21st century globalization — have only intensified multiple challenges that range across issues of personal belief and social justice to nuclear risk, environmental pollution, cultural integrity, and self-identify.  Issues of professional ethics and responsibility among scientists and engineers, as well as science and technology policy, are further dimensions of STS studies.