This interdisciplinary program deals with the nature of science and technology, the history and philosophy of science and the interaction of science, technology and human society. The program is designed to make it possible for students to link related work in several disciplines, including a methodology course in at least one of those disciplines. The program has its own courses and it draws on courses given in several departments.
The program offers three distinct minors: History and Philosophy of Science; Science and Society; and Medicine in Society (including study of public health). Each minor is designed to enable students to conceive and pursue individualized programs of interdisciplinary study in these three broad areas, within the field of Science, Technology and Society.
Each minor will consist of six courses, including: a core course that is introductory to the proposed minor; an appropriate midlevel methodology course; three electives; and a capstone course involving substantial work on an individual project, either as independent study or in an advanced seminar. Each student’s proposed minor program must be approved by the chairperson of the STS Program, acting in consultation with the STS Committee.
The following lists include courses that are appropriate for the minor. These course lists and designations are not exhaustive; other courses may be appropriate. Some courses listed have prerequisites. Students who do not plan to take those prerequisites in fulfillment of other degree requirements, apart from the STS program, may have to take more than six courses to complete one of the STS minors.
