Instructors: Margaret Schabas
Section: 001
Term: 1
Meets: Mondays 2:00-5:00pm
Notes: All incoming students who haven’t taken this course should register
This course serves as an introduction to the graduate program in Science and Technology Studies. The aim is to understand the social and cultural dimensions of science and technology that reflect prevailing norms but also serve as important resources for prevailing social phenomena. We will aim for breadth more than depth, so as to achieve some overall grasp of the field. Students will be expected to serve as the lead-off discussant for two classes and to contribute to the seminar discussion on a weekly basis. The texts have yet to be ordered but some of the readings will also be on-line. Among the scholars we will study are Shapin, Daston, Galison, Longino, Hacking, Latour, Dupre and Sismondo. In preparation for the first class, please re-read Thomas Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions (2nd or 3rd editions).
The grading is as follows: 20% for two short précis based on assigned readings (equal weight), due before November; 10% for participation; 10% for your role as lead-off discussant; 60% for the research essay (due January 5th, 2018 at the latest). Instructions on the written assignments will be distributed in the first class.
