Director: James F. Challey (Physics and Science,
Technology and Society); Steering Committee: Janet
Gray (Psychology), Richard B. Hemmes (Biology), Lucy Lewis
Johnson (Anthropology), Robert E. McAulay (Sociology),
Leathem Mehaffey III (Biology), Marque Miringoff
(Sociology), Leonard Nevarez (Sociology), Morton A. Tavel
(Physics).
The multidisciplinary program in Science, Technology, and
Society is designed to enable students to pursue three
objectives: a) to better understand the central role of
science and technology in the emergence of advanced
industrial society;
b) to consider the social, political, philosophical, and
cultural implications of the human experience in a
technological society; and c) to explore possible directions
of future development, using alternative social theories and
perceptions.
Students interested in the program are urged to plan for
admission as early as possible in their college careers.
Freshmen and sophomores should talk with the director and
the staff concerning courses to be taken in the freshman and
sophomore years.
Course Requirements: 131/2
units including 1 unit from the introductory sequence
"Dilemmas of Technological Society''; 3 units (2 units of
which must include laboratory work) from the following
natural sciences: biology, chemistry, geology, or physics; 1
unit of philosophy chosen from either Philosophy 101 or 102;
1 unit of introductory modern history; 1 unit chosen from
anthropology, economics, political science, or sociology; 5
Science, Technology, and Society colloquia (5 units); a
senior thesis (1 unit); the senior seminar, Science,
Technology, and Society 301b, (1/2
unit) given in the first six weeks of the b-semester.
After declaration of the major, all required courses must
be taken for a letter grade.
Distribution Requirements: At least 3 units in a
sequence of courses leading to the 300-level in one of the
social sciences, or one of the natural sciences, or a
discipline in one of the humanities by permission of the
director; at least 5 units to be taken in any of the
divisions other than the one in which the student has
achieved the 300-level requirement; no more than
251/2 units may be taken within any
one division of the college.
290a or b. Field Work (1/2 or
1)
298a or b. Independent Work (1/2
or 1)
300a or b. Senior Thesis (1)
301a or b. Senior Seminar
(1/2)
The seminar meets during the first six weeks of the
second semester. Senior majors present and defend their
senior theses before the student and faculty members of the
program.
One 2-hour period.
399a or b. Senior Independent Work (1/2 or
1)
Dilemmas of Technological Society
131b. Genetic Engineering: Basic Principles and
(1)
Ethical Questions
This course includes a consideration of: 1) basic
biological knowledge about the nature of the gene, the
genetic code, and the way in which the genetic code is
translated into the phenotype of the organism; 2) how this
basic, scientific knowledge has led to the development of a
new technology known as "genetic engineering''; 3)
principles and application of the technology itself; 4) the
ethical, legal, and economic issues which have been raised
by the advent of this technology. Among the issues discussed
are ethical questions such as the nature of life itself, the
right of scientists to pursue research at will, and the role
of the academy to regulate the individual scientific
enterprise. Ms. Pokrywka.
[132a. Technology and Global Issues]
(1)
An examination of the connections between technology and
global issues in the contemporary world. The course is
designed to involve students in both the technological and
international aspects of the issues. Varied issues are
examined including food, the environment, the arms race and
arms control, population, technology transfer, technology
and international trade, and resource management and
depletion. Mr. Tavel, instructor to be announced.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[135b. Autos and Airplanes: The Transportation
Revolution] (1)
An examination of the history and the impact of the two
major transportation technologies of the twentieth century.
The particular ways in which the evolution of each
technology was shaped, in different ways, by social as well
as technical factors are studied. Among the major topics
are: Henry Ford and the Model T, the contrast between
military and civilian development of aviation, and the
environmental and urban impact of the automobile. Mr.
Challey.
Not offered in 2000/01.
Each colloquium is restricted to a maximum of twenty
students. Enrollment is open to all interested students in
their junior and senior years, with first priority going to
Science, Technology, and Society majors. Science,
Technology, and Society colloquia are open to sophomores
enrolled in Science, Technology, and Society and to all
other sophomores on a space-available basis. Unless stated
otherwise, the prerequisite for 200-level courses is 1 unit
of 100-level course work or permission of the department
(program director or course instructor). The prerequisite
for 300-level courses is 1 unit of 200-level work or similar
permission.
200b. Science, Technology and Contemporary Society
(1)
An introduction to the multidisciplinary study of
contemporary science and technology through selected case
studies and key texts representing the major perspectives
and methods of analysis, including work by Thomas Kuhn, Karl
Popper, Langdon Winner, Robert Merton, Bruno Latour, and
Sandra Harding. Some of the issues include the concept of
scientific revolution, the nature of "big science" and "high
technology," the social construction of science and
technology, technological determinism, and the feminist
critique of science. Mr. Challey, Mr. McAulay.
Prerequisite: 1 unit of a natural or a social
science.
Two 75-minute periods.
[202a. History of Modern Science and
Technology] (1)
A survey of major developments in Western science and
technology from 1800 to the present. Major topics include:
Laplace and the rise of mathematical physics; the
development of thermodynamics; the work of Darwin and
Pasteur; Edison and the rise of electrical technology; the
theories of relativity and quantum mechanics; the Manhattan
Project; plate tectonics and molecular biology; and the
development of computers and cybernetics. Special emphasis
is placed on the concepts of "big science'' and "high
technology'' and their role in contemporary social and
political life. Mr. Challey.
Prerequisite: 1 unit of science or modern history or
permission of instructor.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[206a. Environmental Biology] (1)
(Same as Biology 206/Environmental Studies 206)
Not offered in 2000/01.
[234a. Disability and Society] (1)
(Same as Sociology 234a). Ms. Miringoff.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[241b. Feminist Approaches to Science and
Technology] (1)
(Same as Women's Studies 241) Ms. Gray.
Not offered in 2000/01.
[243a. Birth, Death, and Public Policy]
(1)
(Same as Sociology 243a)
Not offered in 2000/01.
267a. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
(1)
[273a. High Technology and Society]
(1)
(Same as Sociology 273a)
Not offered in 2000/01.
288a. Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning
(1)
(Same as Urban Studies 288a). Mr. Bunnell.
302a. History of Science and Technology since World
War II (1)
An examination of major developments in science and
technology since 1945, with particular emphasis on the
social contexts and implications. The topics to receive
special attention are: the origins and growth of systems
theories (systems analysis, operations research, game
theory, cybernetics), the development of molecular genetics
from the double helix to sociobiology, and the evolution of
telecommunications technologies. Mr. Challey.
Prerequisites: 1 unit of natural science and 1 unit of
modern history, or permission of instructor.
Two 75-minute periods.
330b. The Intellectual Roots of the Twentieth Century
(1)
(Same as College Course 330) This course lays the
groundwork for intellectual, technological, and scientific
modernity through an in-depth comparative study of an epoch
in European cultural history, the world of "The Magic
Mountain'' so brilliantly captured by Thomas Mann. A variety
of cultural themes are treated. First, the dominant
positivist optimism of the late nineteenth century is
examined, and then philosophical, sociological, literary,
artistic, and psychological challenges to that climate of
opinion will be studied. Next, we focus on the revolutionary
shift in the entire scientific view of reality that leads
from the mechanistic determinism of classical physics to the
relativistic and quantum mechanical descriptions that
constitute modern physics. The course ends with the
mobilization of the summer of 1914, as European cultural
achievements dissolve into the apocalypse of total war. Mr.
Schalk, Mr. Tavel.
331b. Seminar in Archaeological Method and Theory
(1)
(Same as Anthropology 331b.) Topic for 2000/01:
Technology and Ecology. Ms. Johnson.
(Same as Sociology 353a)
Not offered in 2000/01.
360b. Issues in Bioethics (1)
Genetically Shaping Selves: From body piercing and
psychotherapy to matchmaking and schools, human beings have
always sought to shape themselves and their children.
Emerging genetic technologies are new means to pursue
ancient ends. In this seminar we ask: Do the new genetic
means to achieve those ancient ends make a moral difference?
To what extent are we already using, and will we in the
future be able to use, genetic technologies to shape
ourselves in ethically significant ways? With a view to what
conceptions of normality and/or perfection will we pursue
such shaping? With a view to what conceptions of human
happiness will we pursue such shaping? Ultimately, to what
extent ought we use genetic technologies to shape ourselves
and our children. Mr. Parens
364b. Seminar on Selected Topics in Law and Technology
(1)
(Same as Environmental sutides 364) This course explores
the dynamic interrelationship between technology and law. It
is designed to analyze the reciprocal effects of our
society's developed jurisprudence and the advancement and
use of science and technology on each other. Areas explored
include American Constitutional, international,
environmental, criminal, and property law, particularly as
they interact with reproductive determination, government
information gathering, hazardous waste generation,
biotechnology, and technology transfer. Mr. Otis.
367a. Mind, Culture, and Biology (1)
(Same as Sociology 367a.) Mr. McAulay.
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