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New Concentration: Science and Society

The Committee on Science and Technology Studies has designed a concentration called Science and Society.

Congratuations to 2008 Science and Society graduates -- representing the second year of the STS concentration at Brown.

Curriculum

Consisting of 12 courses, the program of study outlined below will be developed by each student in consultation with the concentration advisor, Anne Fausto-Sterling.

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
  • SCSO 1900: Senior Seminar, also open to non-majors with the proper background.

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.

Sample Concentrations