Science, Technology, and Society / STS 2400

Southern Polytechnic State University

PREFACE:

This course is designed to be taught by faculty from the various disciplines represented among the SPSU faculty. Each faculty member who proposes a course chooses a topic from his or her own interest and training, and ideally a number of sections on multiple topics will be offered each term. Each course, no matter what its topic, must be built around the following master syllabus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An interdisciplinary course exploring the development and integration, both historical and contemporary, of science, technology, and society. The course seeks to help students better understand the world in which they live, the broader implications of their major course of study, and the complex social, ethical, and moral choices presented by modern science and technology.

REQUIRED TASKS:

• Each student will be required to write at least three short papers and participate in at least one project carried out by an interdisciplinary group.
• In their projects and/or papers students will be required to evaluate competing views and courses of action and to take and defend a position.
• In their projects and/or papers, each student will be required to work on at least one topic related to their major and at least one topic outside their major.

ASSESSMENT:

Instructors will develop assessment measures based on the expected results.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to:

• Identify and evaluate competing views and the information supporting them.
• Formulate their own opinions on complex issues and to communicate their views clearly in both written and oral formats, and support their position with relevant evidence.
• Recognize the ways in which science and technology have been shaped by, and have helped to shape, society and culture.
• Apply STS concepts to the scientific disciplines and technologies relevant to their majors.
• Participate effectively in multidisciplinary groups.

TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:

Preliminary proposals for STS courses should include the following and should be sent to: Julie Newell, SIS Department

• Name, Department, and College of the proposer; please include telephone extension and email address
• Preference for teaching fall or spring AND morning, afternoon, or evening.
• Title of the proposed course, brief description of intended content and approach, possible texts or supplemental materials.
• A brief statement of how this course meets the general description for STS courses approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (see above).
• A brief explanation of how the required tasks and expected results (learning outcomes) will be incorporated into your proposed course.
  
• Please Note: The STS Master Syllabus contains required tasks and expected results that must be used in all STS courses. It is, however, intended as framing on which courses of great diversity may be built. You are not required to use this as your syllabus--you are, in fact encouraged not to do so. But you must incorporate the required elements into your own topic-based syllabus.
• You are strongly encouraged to consult with your supervisor before submitting a proposal.

Revised 16 October 2007