Department of
Science and Technology Studies
HPSCGA59 Special Topics in Science and Technology Studies Syllabus Session 2014-­‐15 Web site See Moodle Moodle site Timetable www.ucl.ac.uk/timetable Description We live in an increasingly globalized world. Science and technology play a central role in globalizing processes and in many of the global networks that have become central to the modern world. Governing science and technology in a globalized world, however, poses a raft of challenges relating to, for example corporate control and power, social justice and multi-­‐level governance. This module draws on sociology of technology, social theory and policy studies to understand the relationships between science, technology and globalization. The first part will examine how globalization and technology are re-­‐shaping our world: economically, politically and socially. We will then move on to consider the problems of governing science and technology in a global and local context, with particular reference to the internet, climate change and energy and global health. The final part will engage students with policy making in a more practical (and local context) and how to write and present information for policy makers in this setting. Key Information Assessment 80% 4000 word essay 20% 1000 word (per person) group policy report % Prerequisites none Required texts readings listed on Moodle HPSCGA59 Special Topics in Science and Technology Studies
2014-15 syllabus
Module tutor Module tutor Dr Simon J Lock Contact simon.lock@ucl.ac.uk | t: 020 7679 3763 Web www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/staff/lock Office location 22 Gordon Square, Room 3.2 Office hours: Mondays 1-­‐3pm and by appointment Aims and objectives This module aims to engage students with the complex relationship between science, technology and globalization. The module will explore the role of the local and global in governing science and technology and also aims to develop students skills in the area of policy writing. By the end of this module student should have developed: ◦
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knowledge of the history of science as a global and globalising phenomenon knowledge of the scope and character of globalization knowledge and understanding of the political processes shaping scientific and technological systems of global significance knowledge and understanding of the extent and constraints of citizens within such political processes knowledge and understanding of the rights and obligations of citizens with respect to global scientific and technological systems skills, drawing from core STS literature, necessary to interpret science-­‐based decision making in social and political contexts skills in writing for policy makers and developing policy advice. Reading list See Moodle for readings. Course expectations Where there is one specified students are expected to read the essential reading before class and come prepared to discuss it. Module plan 2
HPSCGA59 Special Topics in Science and Technology Studies
2014-15 syllabus
Schedule UCL Wk 21 22 Date Topic Activity th
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12 Jan Introduction to Globalization 19 Jan Globalization II 23 26 Jan Global institutions of science policy? 24 2 Feb Case study – The internet nd
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25 9 Feb Case study – Climate change Haas and Hird, Chapter 10 26 Reading Week no lectures Case study -­‐ Energy Haas and Hird Chapter 11 rd
27 23 Feb 28 2 Mar Case study – Global health nd
Haas and Hird, Chapter 12 th
29 9 Mar How to write for policy Guest lecture: Dr Ana Padilla Essay due 13 March 30 16 Mar th
Policy in action: Visit to select committee 31 23 Mar rd
Policy Briefing Presentations Policy briefing due 3 April th
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HPSCGA59 Special Topics in Science and Technology Studies
2014-15 syllabus
Reading list Please see Moodle for readings. Assessment summary Description Deadline Word limit th
Individual essay 11.59pm 13 March 2015 Group policy report 11.59 pm 3 April 2015 1000 per person equivalent rd
4000 coursework Assessment on this module is comprised of two pieces of coursework: th
Essay (due 14 March 2014) A 4000 word academic essay on an area of science, technology or health policy. You must choose an area of global science, technology or health policy within the areas of the internet, global health, climate change or energy technology. Your essay must do two things: •
Display evidence of wide reading and research on the topic. Beyond a well researched summary of the issue you will want to consider some or all of the following: o What are the key challenges for governance and policy making? Nationally? Globally? Transnationally? o What are the key areas of consensus or debate in the academic literature? •
Show critical engagement with the literature on globalization and/or social shaping of technology which helps shed light on the social processes involved in the issue, e.g.: o How are processes of globalization implicated in this issue? o To what extent is this a technological issue and/or a social and political one? o Who should have an input into decision making here? Why? How? e.g. you might pick the issue of government surveillance of personal data. You can approach this from multiple angles, including how and why this is a current policy issue, the extent to which globalization has driven this issue and/or makes it a difficult issue to govern effectively. You might alternatively look at the 4
HPSCGA59 Special Topics in Science and Technology Studies
2014-15 syllabus
how the development of the technology itself has been shaped by social, political and corporate interests and how these affect our ability to govern the internet. Equally you might focus on the open innovation/data/hackivist movements and the ways in which these have engaged/driven in the issue at a global and national level. Group policy briefing (due 3rd April 2014) You will be expected in groups of 3-­‐4 people to produce a 3-­‐4000 word policy briefing for a Ministerial policy briefing on an issue within on of the topic/policy issue we have covered in class. You must produce as a group (of 3-­‐4 people) a 3-­‐4000 word policy report on a topic/policy issue that we have covered in the class. This might, for example draw on some of the work you have done for your individual essays A four-­‐page policy brief should cover the following aspects: ◦
An "at a glance" summary -­‐ sum up the key points in a few bullets, so that anyone can ascertain what the point of the briefing is ◦
The what and the why's -­‐ What is the issue? Why is it important now? Why should the minister care about this? (i.e. what are the policy implications, how does it affect people (their main concern)?) ◦
It should not advocate a specific position or stance, it should brief the minister on the state of the evidence (what we already know), highlight where there are uncertainties (what we don't yet know) and where there is controversy present the range of opinion (but giving weight appropriately to the balance of evidence/opinion) ◦
Provide information in an easy to understand manner (bear in mind you are communicating this to a non-­‐specialist who may not have thought about this issues before) Unlike a POSTnote (which we will look at in class) you do not need to include images, boxes, graphs etc, nor worry about formatting it to look like a POSTnote. Though you are welcome to do this if you so wish. You will certainly want to use headings to break the document into sections. On the topic of references, several of you have asked how you should approach this. Policy briefings are not referenced like academic essays, you only include a few references. In essence you serve as the source for much of the factual information in a policy briefing, so you should be sure that when you provide information is is presented accurately and use appropriately. Things you might reference are: other bits of policy legislation, comments or quotes from other bodies, key reports. Any questions on this assignment, please ask Simon. Coursework must be submitted via Moodle In order to be deemed ‘complete’ on this module students must attempt both pieces of assessment. 5