Concentration: Science and Society
The Committee on Science and Technology Studies has designed a concentration called Science and Society.
Curriculum
Consisting of 12 courses, the program of study outlined below will be developed by each student in consultation with the concentration advisor, listed below:
Anne Fausto-Sterling: Classes of '12, '13 (office hours by appointment, please email for time)
Tara Nummedal: Class of '14 (office hours Wednesdays 2-4 and by appointment) Sharpe House, 130 Angell Street, Room 106
Sherine Hamdy: Class of '15 (office hours Wednesdays 2:30--3:30, Fridays 2-4 and by appointment) Giddings House, 128 Hope Street, Room 209
Required Courses (2 courses)
The proposed course of study would be book-ended by the following two required courses:
- SCSO 1400: Science and Society: Theories and Controversies (syllabus)
- SCSO 1900: Senior Seminar, also open to non-majors with the proper background (syllabus)
Thematic Track (3 courses)
Having completed SCSO 1400, students will select one thematic track from which they will select three courses. Thematic tracks:
- History & Philosophy of Science
- Gender & Science
- Race, Science & Ethnicity
- Health & Medicine
- Representing Science in Literature & Culture
- Policy, Persuasion & the Rhetoric of Science
- Environment & Society
- Independent Focus
Science Track (4 courses)
Students will take a minimum of four courses in one of the three scientific areas listed below. These courses will be sequenced such that a concentrator will move enough beyond the introductory level to gain some understanding of the world view of scientists within a chosen field. The particular sequence of courses which best meets the science requirement will be chosen in consultation with the concentration advisor. When necessary, the concentration advisor will seek guidance from faculty within the chosen science field.
- Physical sciences
- Life sciences
- Mathematics
Science Studies Theory (3 courses)
Students will take three courses with significant STS related content. Course selection will largely depend upon the thematic track chosen.
Honors
To qualify for Honors a student must:
1. Apply for candidacy for Honors by the end of the student's seventh semester.
2. Maintain a high level of excellence in courses within the concentration and above average performance in non-concentration courses. In the event that a student has taken a number of courses S/NC he or she will submit CPR's for consideration by the concentration advisory committee, which will evaluate the students candidacy.
3. Complete an Honors Thesis judged by two readers to be of superior quality.
4. Deliver an oral presentation based on thesis work that is favorably reviewed by the concentration faculty and the advisory committee.
