What is science? How are scientists created? Using the interdisciplinary lens of science and technology studies (STS), this course will explore these questions and more. We’ll start by discussing traditional understandings of science. Then, we’ll dive into the concept of ‘science otherwise,’ exploring diverse approaches to transform science into a more just and equitable practice. Through skill building activities, peer collaborations, class discussions, and creative projects, you will have the opportunity to engage with course concepts and reflect on your own experiences. The course uses a grading contract which will allow you to tailor the assignments to your own unique interests.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify and explain core issues related to the sociology of science.
- Develop and apply ethical and effective practices for engaging with literature.
- Critically evaluate sources with consideration of broader contexts and underlying assumptions.
- Facilitate group discussions using a variety of different facilitation tools.
This is a reading intensive course. The readings will provide you with an opportunity to develop a foundation for the material that we cover in class and provide additional clarification on complex concepts. In order to participate in class discussions and to facilitate your own learning, it is important for you to keep up with the assigned readings. Please plan accordingly. All readings will be made available through Canvas.
This course will use a grading contract, meaning that you will know in advance what you need to do to achieve a particular grade at the start of the course, and work towards it. See the Grade Contract sheet for more details. This approach to grading is a way of practicing science otherwise for the course.
By taking this course, you are agreeing to actively participate in a classroom community. You have responsibilities to not only yourself, but also to everyone else in this community of learners. Class discussions and collaboration are at the heart of this course, meaning that you will be contributing to an exchange of ideas and to each other’s education. Being prepared for class and keeping up with course tasks will be important for your own learning and for the learning of your peers. You will be expected to attend class, on time and prepared, to contribute to our discussions. This includes, but is not limited to, actively listening, asking questions, offering suggestions, and participating in in-class activities and any online discussions.
I understand that sometimes life happens, bringing emergencies or other unexpected circumstances with it, making attendance that day impossible. Attendance is not mandatory but given the nature of the course it is in your best interest to attend regularly. There will frequently be in-class assignments that will require substantively more effort to make-up. Regularly missing class will make it difficult to be successful in this course.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy. For more information on the Honor Code, visit the OSI website.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcomes:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social or geographic relationships develop, persist or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion