HPSC GA01: Introduction to Science and Technology Studies Course Syllabus 2015-­‐16 session | convenors: Dr Chiara Ambrosio and Dr Bill MacLehose | c.ambrosio@ucl.ac.uk ; w.maclehose@ucl.ac.uk Course Information Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field in which science and technology is examined from a number of different perspectives. (“Science” here is broadly understood and can include science, technology, medicine or mathematics.) Broadly the perspectives are divided into History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) and Science and Society (SAS) topics. HPS includes history of science and philosophy of science, as well as integrated approaches to both. SAS includes sociology of science, science policy studies, and studies of science communication, engagement, and evaluation. This course introduces students to some of the key ideas, arguments and readings in HPS and Science and Society, collectively STS. It acts as a bridge to the specialized option courses.
Basic course information Moodle Web site: https://moodle.ucl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=22854 Assessment: One 2000-­‐word writing exercise; one final examination Timetable: www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/hpsc Prerequisites: no pre-­‐requisites Required texts: no required texts Course tutor(s): Convenors: Dr Chiara Ambrosio; Dr Bill MacLehose Contact: c.ambrosio@ucl.ac.uk | t: 020 7679 [insert extension] Enrolment key ‘darwin’ w.maclehose@ucl.ac.uk t: 020 7679 2929 Web: www.ucl.ac.uk/silva/sts/staff/[CHIARA] www.ucl.ac.uk/silva/sts/staff/maclehose Office location: Ambrosio: 22 Gordon Square, Room 2.1a MacLehose: 22 Gordon Square, Room 3.2 Office hours: Ambrosio: Fri 11-­‐1 MacLehose: Mon 11-­‐12, Thurs 1-­‐2 HPSC GA01 – Introduction to Science and Technology Studies 2015-­‐16 session Schedule UCL Week Topic 6 Introduction: What is a scientist? Date 8 Oct Activity Erikson 2005, Sismondo 2009, Chalmers 1999 7 Does science progress? 15 Oct Latakos 2013, Kuhn 2013 8 How does science produce knowledge? 22 Oct 9 Do the public need to understand science? 29 Oct Lipton 1995, Van Fraassen, et al Wynne 1995, Irwin 2006 10 Can Science be separated from its social context? 5 Nov Merton 1973, Mulkay 1976, Bloor 1991, Latour 1983 11 Reading Week 12 Nov Sarewitz 2003, Pielke 2007 Von Staden 1992 12 How is scientific evidence used in policy? 19 Nov 13 Where has science come from? 26 Nov 14 Are there different histories of science? 3 Dec Hessen 2009. Koyre 1965, Shapin 1981, Brooke 1991 15 Do artifacts have politics? 10 Dec Winner 1985, MacKenzie and Wacjman, Edgerton 1999 16 Revision session 17 Dec Assessments Summary Description Initial writing excercise Final examination Deadline Weds, 14 Oct, 23.59 Mon, 11 Jan 2016 2012] Word limit 2000 words Assignments For more information on the writing exercise, see the moodle website. Essays must be submitted via Moodle. In order to be deemed ‘complete’ on this module students must attempt both the writing exercise and the final examination. HPSC GA01 – Introduction to Science and Technology Studies 2015-­‐16 session Criteria for assessment The departmental marking guidelines for individual items of assessment can be found in the STS Student Handbook. Aims & objectives The module has two specific aims. First, introduce students to key ideas, arguments and readings in Science and Technology Studies, broadly defined to include history of science, philosophy of science, integrated history and philosophy of science, science policy, sociology of science and technology, studies of science communication and evaluation. Second, prepare students, in terms of key ideas, arguments and readings, to be able to start the specialist STS MSc option courses. By the end of this module students should be able to (1) demonstrate knowledge of key ideas, arguments and readings in STS, and (2) be able to critically analyse key ideas, arguments and readings in STS. Reading list Please refer to Moodle for a detailed list of required and additional readings for each session. Course expectations Students are expected to prepare for and attend class meetings, and contribute to discussions. Important policy information Details of college and departmental policies relating to modules and assessments can be found in the STS Student Handbook www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/handbook All students taking modules in the STS department are expected to read these policies.