Science, Technology and Society

Modern science and technology underpin almost every feature of our society. They impinge daily upon our lives and shape our futures. Science, Technology and Society is the academic discipline which studies the origin, nature and social impact of science and technology.

To be considered fully educated today, you must have learned to examine for yourself questions such as, 'What are science and technology? Why and how have they grown in Western Societies? How can we best control and direct science and technology?' In the past generation there has been a revolution in our understanding of the answers to these questions. The field of Science, Technology and Society is where this intellectual revolution is taking place. STS has a long and distinguished history in European and North American Universities. In the last twenty-five years it has undergone enormous expansion. In Australia there are now STS programs at Melbourne, NSW, Murdoch, Griffith, as well as here at Wollongong, where we have one of the longest established programs in the country.

Taking a major in STS will help equip you to play a productive role as a manager of technological change in industry, as a policy analyst in government, as a commentator on scientific and technological controversies in the media, or as a researcher helping us further understand the way science and technology develop and can be shaped to best serve humanity. STS can be studied as a major, leading to Honours, Masters and PhD programs; as a joint major with another subject (eg with History, Sociology, English, Psychology or Philosophy); or STS subjects can be selected to complement majors in these subjects or in others, such as Science, Economics, Accountancy, Education, Metallurgy and Computing Science.

STS MAJOR

Composition of Major

52 cp of STS, including:

(1) either STS100/103/200/203 Social Aspects of Science and Technology or STS229/329 Scientific & Technological Controversy

(2) at least 24 cp of STS at 300-level.

An additional 8 cp may be taken from the following: any STS subject; AUST101; CCS105; CCS334; CCS337; HIST250; HIST251; HIST338; HIST363; PHIL256; PHIL258; PHIL262; PHIL322; POL121; POL224; POL314; SOC104; SOC221; SOC231; SOC241.

Total required: 60 cp

STS Subject List

Many of the STS subjects have multiple versions depending on level, credit points and mode of delivery. Students will need to choose the subject appropriate to their program of study. In general, subject numbers beginning with the number one are for 1^st year students, with a two are for 2^nd year students and with a three are for third year students

Number Subject Credit Points

STS100	Social Aspects of Science & Technology	6
STS200	Social Aspects of Science & Technology	8
STS103	Social Aspects of Science & Technology	6Home study,
	summer session only
STS203	Social Aspects of Science & Technology	8 Home study, summer session only
STS112	The Scientific Revolution:
	History, Philosophy and Politics of Science	6
STS212	The Scientific Revolution:
	History, Philosophy and Politics of Science	8
STS117	The Scientific Revolution:
	History, Philosophy and Politics of Science	6 Home study, summer session only
STS217	The Scientific Revolution:
	History, Philosophy and Politics of Science	8 Home study, summer session only
STS116	Environment in Crisis: Technology and Society	6
STS216	Environment in Crisis: Technology and Society	6
STS218	Environment in Crisis: Technology and Society	8
STS120	Technology in Society: East and West	6
STS220	Technology in Society: East and West	8
STS221	Technology in Society: East and West	6
STS128	Computers in Society	6
STS228	Computers in Society	8
STS215	Globalisation: science, technology and progress	8
STS315	Globalisation: science, technology and progress	8
STS223	The Politics of Medicine and Health	8
STS323	The Politics of Medicine and Health	8
STS229	Scientific and Technological Controversy	8
STS329	Scientific and Technological Controversy	8
STS235	The Politics of Risk	8
STS335	The Politics of Risk	8
STS376	The Politics of Risk	6
STS238	Changing Images of Nature and the Environment	8
STS240	Technological change, popular culture	8
	and new media
STS241	Technological change, popular culture	6
	and new media
STS340	Technological change, popular culture
	and new media	8
STS250	From Molecular Genetics to Biotechnology	8
STS350	From Molecular Genetics to Biotechnology	8
STS260	Technology and Body Politics	8
STS360	Technology and Body Politics	8
STS288	Science and the media	8
STS388	Science and the media	8
STS300	The Environmental Context	8
STS306	Special Topics in the Social Policy
	Aspects of Engineering	6
STS399	Research Topics in Science &
	Technology Studies	8
STS400	Science and Technology Studies Honours	48
STS430	Joint Honours in Science and Technology
	Studies and Another Discipline	24

Double Major in Science, Technology and Society and Business Information Systems

Double major in STS and BUSS: Students wishing to consider this option should first consult with the Heads of BUSS and STS.

Joint Major in Sociology and Science, Technology and Society (STS)

Joint major in STS and Sociology: Students wishing to consider this option should first consult with the Heads of Sociology and STS. The full requirements of the joint major are set out in the Sociology entry.

Subjects not on offer in 2000
The following subjects will not be on offer in 2000:

STS288/388 STS112/212 STS238 STS260/360 STS336

Science and the Media The Scientific Revolution Changing Images of Nature and the Environment Technology & Body Politics Advanced Topics in the History of Science