Science, Technology and Society (STS)

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 (STS) is the interdisciplinary academic field which studies the origin, nature and social impact of science, technology and medicine, and seeks to inform science and technology policies for the future.

What are science and technology, and how have they developed? What do scientists and technologists do? What makes their knowledge 'scientific'? How do their activities affect us? Can we influence their direction? How will our future depend on them? Can we solve the problems that seem to come with the opportunities? Students in all fields need to confront these questions.

In the past generation there has been a revolution in our understanding of these issues. Of the few STS teaching programs in Australian universities, Wollongong's is one of the longest established, most comprehensive and most innovative.

STS can be studied as a major, leading to Honours and PhD programs. A minor in STS, or individual STS subjects, can be selected as a suitable complement to a major in many other fields.

Major Study

A major in STS consists of 52 or 54 credit points, and comprises:

− STS100 Social Aspects of Science and Technology (or equivalent if taken in 2004 or before)

− STS278 Scientific and Technological Controversy

− STS322 Politics in a Technological Society

PLUS

− one other STS subject at 200- level,

− two other STS subjects at 300-level,

− one other STS subject at any level.

Minor Study

A minor in STS consists of 28 or 30 credit points from the schedule of the major. The minor includes one subject at each of the three levels. Subjects in the minor may not be cross-counted with any other minor or major study.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Study Program

Important note: Some STS subjects at 200- and 300- levels have two versions: 8 credit point versions are listed in the General Schedule and 6 credit point versions are taken as electives in degrees from faculties offering 6 credit point subjects at upper levels. (See Electives for Non-Arts students in table below). These upper-level 6 credit point subjects will not count towards the Arts degree nor the Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies.

Subjects	Title	Session	Credit Points
100-Level
STS 100	Social Aspects of Science and Technology	Autumn	6
STS 112	Revolutions in Science: History, Philosophy and Politics of Science	Spring	6
STS 116	Environment in Crisis: Technology and Society	Spring	6
STS 120	Technology in Society: East and West	N/O 2008	6
STS 128	Computers in Society	Spring	6
200-Level
STS 215	Globalisation: Technology, Culture and Media	Autumn	8
STS 218	Environment in Crisis: Technology and Society	Spring	8
STS 223	The Politics of Medicine and Health	N/O 2008	8
STS 238	Changing Images of Nature and the Environment	Spring	8
STS 250	From Molecular Genetics to Biotechnology	N/O 2008	8
STS 278	Scientific and Technological Controversy	Spring	8
STS 288	Science and the Media	Autumn	8
300-Level
MACS335	Electronic Cultures	Autumn	8
HIST342	Sickness and Death: Social History of Public Health in Australia	Spring	8
PHIL380	Bioethics	Spring	8
STS 300	The Environmental Context	Autumn	8
STS 322	Politics in a Technological Society	Autumn	8
STS 335	The Politics of Risk	Spring	8
STS 341	Technological Change, Popular Culture and New Media	Spring	8
STS 360	Technology and Body Politics	N/O 2008	8
STS 390	Media, War and Peace	Spring	8
STS 399	Research Topics in Science and Technology Studies	Autumn/Spring	8
Elective subjects for Non-Arts students The following STS subjects are often taken as electives in the Faculties of Science and Engineering and can be taken in any degree where 6 credit point upper level subjects are the norm. They do not count in the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies, or as Arts subjects in their combined degrees.
STS 251	From Molecular Genetics to Biotechnology	N/O 2008	6
STS 306	Special Topics in the Social and Policy Aspects of Engineering	N/O 2008	6
STS 376	The Politics of Risk	Spring	6