Science and Technology and Society, Schemes and Mind Maps of Computer science

Download Science and Technology and Society and more Schemes and Mind Maps Computer science in PDF only on Docsity! SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY The Program in Science, Technology, and Society (STS) focuses on the ways in which scientic, technological, and social factors interact to shape modern life. The program brings together humanists, social scientists, engineers, and natural scientists, all committed to transcending the boundaries of their disciplines in a joint search for new insights and new ways of reaching science and engineering students. The goal of the program is to set up a forum to explore the relationship between what scientists and engineers do and the constraints, needs, and responses of society. Located in a major university where most people study science and engineering, STS is dedicated to understanding the context of science and engineering. Undergraduate Study MIT students are increasingly seeking to understand the social and historical contexts in which they will work and the social consequences of what they will do in their professional careers. STS subjects help them think realistically and creatively about the intellectual, moral, political, and social issues raised by the rapid growth of science and technology in the 20th century and beyond. STS contributes to undergraduate education at MIT in several ways. It oers general subjects to introduce students to broad social and intellectual perspectives on science and engineering elds. It also oers more specialized subjects in the history of science and technology and in social and cultural studies of science and technology. Within each of these categories, students can choose both introductory and more advanced subjects. STS as a Second Major Students who wish to integrate their professional study of engineering or science with a rigorous treatment of its relation to social and historical forces may pursue STS as a second major (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/science-technology-society- sts) in cooperation with the Schools of Engineering and Science. The object of this program is to give those students the full technical and scientic education provided by a science or engineering major, balanced with intensive study of the historical and social contexts of science and technology. Double major applications from students in other schools (e.g., Architecture and Planning; Management; Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences) will be considered on a case- by-case basis. Students in the double major program must complete all the requirements of both majors. The STS requirements include 13 subjects as follows: • STS.004 Intersections: Science, Technology, and the World • At least one STS Tier I subject (http://sts-program.mit.edu/ academics/undergraduate/tier-i-subjects), in addition to STS.004 • At least one STS Tier II subject (http://sts-program.mit.edu/ academics/undergraduate/tier-ii-subjects)  • Four other STS subjects • Four subjects related to the historical and social study of science and technology • STS.THT Undergraduate Thesis Tutorial  • STS.THU Undergraduate Thesis If a student's other major also requires a thesis, students may coordinate their thesis eort, pending approval of undergraduate ocers in both majors. Further details on the requirements of the STS program may be obtained from the STS undergraduate academic ocer and the STS academic administrator. Joint Degree Programs Students who wish to integrate studies in STS and science or engineering in the context of a single degree should consider this program. It leads to one degree, either a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Science or a Bachelor of Science in Humanities and Engineering. The STS requirement for either degree is 9 subjects as follows: • STS.004 Intersections: Science, Technology, and the World • At least one STS Tier I subject (http://sts-program.mit.edu/ academics/undergraduate/tier-i-subjects), in addition to STS.004 • At least one STS Tier II subject (http://sts-program.mit.edu/ academics/undergraduate/tier-ii-subjects)  • Four other STS subjects • STS.THT Undergraduate Thesis Tutorial  • STS.THU Undergraduate Thesis Consult the 21E (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/humanities- engineering-course-21e) and 21S (http://catalog.mit.edu/degree- charts/humanities-science-course-21s) degree charts for details on the requirements for these joint degrees. Further details may be obtained from the SHASS Dean's Oce (hass-www@mit.edu), Room 4-240, and the STS academic administrator. Minor in Science, Technology, and Society The goal of the minor program is to give students a broad social perspective on the elds of engineering and science: how they have evolved and how they t into the wider context of society, culture, politics, and values. The Minor in Science, Technology, and Society consists of six STS subjects, including STS.004, at least one additional subject from the Tier I list, and at least one subject from the Tier II list. Science, Technology, and Society   |   3 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Tier I STS.004 Intersections: Science, Technology, and the World 1 12 Select one of the following: 12 STS.001 Technology in American History STS.002 Finance and Society STS.003 Ancient Greeks to Modern Geeks: A History of Science STS.005[J] Data and Society STS.006[J] Bioethics STS.008 Technology and Experience STS.009 Evolution and Society STS.011 Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society STS.012 Science in Action: Technologies and Controversies in Everyday Life STS.014 Embodied Education: Past, Present, Future Tier II 2 Select one subject from the list of Tier II subjects 9-12 Electives Select three additional subjects from among Tiers I and II 27-36 Total Units 60-72 1 Substitution with a similar subject may be permitted by petition to the STS Undergraduate Ocer. 2 See list of Tier II subjects (http://sts-program.mit.edu/academics/ undergraduate/tier-ii-subjects). Graduate Study In collaboration, STS, the History Faculty, and the Anthropology Program oer a doctoral program in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology, and Society (HASTS). The objective of the program is to develop advanced competence in the study of science and technology from a historical and social scientic perspective. Students are expected to develop professional mastery of a eld of history or one of the social sciences. They must also master the underlying concepts in science and engineering that relate to their special eld of interest. Graduate students are required to take at least 10 subjects and usually complete them within their rst two years. In addition, students must complete STS.840 HASTS Professional Perspective. Normally, all students take the following required introductory seminars in their rst year: 21A.859[J] Social Theory and Analysis 12 21H.991 Theories and Methods in the Study of History 12 STS.260 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society 12 Students are encouraged to take 21A.809 Designing Empirical Research in the Social Sciences or 21A.819 Ethnographic Research Methods at some point in their program. To fulll the remaining subject requirement, students choose from among several departmental seminars designed to oer more in-depth study of particular topics. They may also take subjects oered by other MIT departments and through cross-registration with Harvard. Students enrolled in the PhD program have the option to earn a SM in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology and Society (HASTS) en route to the PhD by satisfactorily completing rst year requirements, submitting a master’s thesis, and completing six subjects (72 units) including the three required seminars above. Upon the satisfactory completion of coursework, program milestones, and general examinations — normally all to be completed by the third year — students proceed to independent dissertation research and dissertation writing with the mentorship and guidance of a multidisciplinary dissertation committee. Students from any academic discipline are invited to apply to the doctoral program. Inquiries Visit the website for additional information about the HASTS graduate program (http://web.mit.edu/hasts) or contact the STS academic administrator (https://sts-program.mit.edu/contact), Room E51-163, 617-253-9759. Faculty and Teaching Sta Deborah K. Fitzgerald, PhD Leverett Howell Cutten '07 and William King Cutten '39 Professor of the History of Technology Head, Program in Science, Technology, and Society Professors Kate Brown, PhD Thomas M. Siebel Distinguished Professor in the History of Science Professor of Science, Technology, and Society (On leave) Michael M. J. Fischer, PhD Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities Professor of Science and Technology Studies Professor of Anthropology 4   |   Science, Technology, and Society SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.009 Evolution and Society Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H Provides a broad conceptual and historical introduction to scientic theories of evolution and their place in the wider culture. Embraces historical, scientic and anthropological/cultural perspectives grounded in relevant developments in the biological sciences since 1800 that are largely responsible for the development of the modern theory of evolution by natural selection. Students read key texts, analyze key debates (e.g. Darwinian debates in the 19th century, and the creation controversies in the 20th century) and give class presentations. J. Durant, R. Scheler STS.011 Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Provides instruction in the history of humanity's eorts to control and shape life through biotechnology, from agriculture to gene editing. Examines the technologies, individuals and socio-economic systems that are associated with such eorts, as well as the impact that these eorts have on society and science as a whole. Explores these issues with particular attention to the development of the modern biotechnology industry in the Greater Boston area. Includes a eld trip. R. W. Scheler STS.012 Science in Action: Technologies and Controversies in Everyday Life Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S Explores a range of controversies about the role of technology, the nature of scientic research and the place of politics in science: debates about digital piracy and privacy, the role of activism in science, the increasingly unclear boundaries between human and non-human, the role of MRIs as courtroom evidence, the potential influence of gender on scientic research, etc. Provides exposure to science in a dynamic relation with social life and cultural ideas. Materials draw from humanities and social science research, ethnographic eldwork, lms and science podcasts, as well as from experimental multimedia. Enrollment limited. D. Banerjee STS.014 Embodied Education: Past, Present, Future (New) Prereq: None U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S Discusses recent scientic and educational research that nds that the human body in motion is a medium for learning. Explores how and why physical education was integrated into the US educational system while remaining separate from academic subjects — and how and why 21st-century institutions might combine the two. Weekly in-lecture labs demonstrate how exercise can inform academic instruction and invite students to create future curricula. Limited to 25. J. S. Light Tier II Subjects STS.021[J] Science Activism: Gender, Race, and Power Same subject as WGS.160[J] Prereq: None U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-E See description under subject WGS.160[J]. E. Bertschinger STS.022[J] Gender, Race, and Environmental Justice Same subject as 21A.407[J], 21G.057[J], WGS.275[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Spring) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-S Provides an introduction to the analysis of gender in science, technology, and environmental politics from a global perspective. Familiarizes students with central objects, questions, and methods in the eld. Examines existent critiques of the racial, sexual and environmental politics at stake in techno-scientic cultures. Draws on material from popular culture, media, ction, lm, and ethnography. Addressing specic examples from across the globe, students also explore dierent approaches to build more livable environments that promote social justice. Taught in English. Limited to 18. B. Stoetzer Science, Technology, and Society   |   7 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.023[J] Science, Gender and Social Inequality in the Developing World Same subject as WGS.226[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-H See description under subject WGS.226[J]. A. Sur STS.025[J] Making the Modern World: The Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective Same subject as 21H.285[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Global survey of the great transformation in history known as the "Industrial Revolution." Topics include origins of mechanized production, the factory system, steam propulsion, electrication, mass communications, mass production and automation. Emphasis on the transfer of technology and its many adaptations around the world. Countries treated include Great Britain, France, Germany, the US, Sweden, Russia, Japan, China, and India. Includes brief reflection papers and a nal paper. M. R. Smith STS.026 History of Manufacturing in America Subject meets with STS.425 Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Introductory survey of fundamental innovations and transitions in American manufacturing from the colonial period to the mid- twentieth century. Primary emphasis on textiles and metalworking, with particular attention to the role of the machine tool industry in the American manufacturing economy. Students taking graduate version are expected to explore the material in greater depth. M. R. Smith STS.027[J] The Civil War and the Emergence of Modern America: 1861-1890 Same subject as 21H.205[J] Subject meets with STS.427 Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Using the American Civil War as a baseline, considers what it means to become "modern" by exploring the war's material and manpower needs, associated key technologies, and how both influenced the United States' entrance into the age of "Big Business." Readings include material on steam transportation, telegraphic communications, arms production, naval innovation, food processing, medicine, public health, management methods, and the mass production of everything from underwear to uniforms – all essential ingredients of modernity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. M. R. Smith STS.028 Seven Wonders of the Engineering World Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Uses case studies to take a broad-ranging look at seven major engineering achievements in world history. Examines the nature of engineering as a source of knowledge production/application, how it reflects the cultural settings in which it emerges, and how it changes as it enters dierent cultural and economic settings. Includes weekly reflection papers. Achievements covered vary from term to term. Limited to 20. M. R. Smith STS.030 Forensic History: Problem Solving into the Past Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S Explores new pathways to use the latest science and technologies to understand the past. Working like detectives, students draw on research methods from such elds as climate science, geology, molecular biology, proteomics, DNA testing, carbon dating and big data analysis to invent their own forensic historical research techniques. They also study new narrative forms to accompany novel research techniques. Instruction and practice in oral and written communication provided. Enrollment limited. K. Brown 8   |   Science, Technology, and Society SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.031[J] Environment and History Same subject as 12.386[J], 21H.185[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) Not oered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units. HASS-S; CI-H See description under subject 21H.185[J]. Enrollment limited. K. Brown, S. Solomon STS.032 Energy, Environment, and Society Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Uses a problem-solving, multi-disciplinary, and multicultural approach that takes energy beyond the complex circuits, grids, and kilojoules to the realm of everyday life, with ordinary people as practitioners and producers of energy knowledge, infrastructures, and technologies. The three main objectives are to immerse students in the historical, cultural, multi-cultural, and entrepreneurial aspects of energy across the world to make them better energy engineers; to introduce them to research and analytical methods; and to deploy these methods and their various skills to solve/design a solution, in groups, to a specic energy problem chosen by the students. Each cohort tackles a dierent energy problem. Provides instruction on how to be active shapers of the world and to bring students' various disciplinary skills and cultural diversity into dialogue as conceptual tools for problem-solving. Enrollment limited. C. Mavhunga STS.033[J] People and the Planet: Environmental Histories and Engineering Same subject as 11.004[J] Subject meets with 11.204[J], IDS.524[J] Prereq: None U (Fall) Not oered regularly; consult department 3-3-6 units. HASS-E See description under subject 11.004[J]. A. Slocum, R. Scheler, J. Trancik STS.034 Science Communication: A Practical Guide Prereq: None U (Spring) Not oered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H Develops students' abilities to communicate science eectively in a variety of real-world contexts. Covers strategies for dealing with complex areas like theoretical physics, genomics and neuroscience, and addresses challenges in communicating about topics such as climate change and evolution. Projects focus on speaking and writing, being an expert witness, preparing briengs for policy- makers, writing blogs, giving live interviews for broadcast, and influencing public dialogue through opinion-editorials. Enrollment limited. B. Venkataraman STS.035 Exhibiting Science Prereq: One CI-H/CI-HW subject and permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 2-2-8 units. HASS-A Project-based seminar covers key topics in museum communication, including science learning in informal settings, the role of artifacts and interactives, and exhibit evaluation. Students work on a term-long project, organized around the design, fabrication, and installation of an original multimedia exhibit about current scientic research at MIT. Culminates with the project's installation in the MIT Museum's Mark Epstein Innovation Gallery. Limited to 20; preference to students who have taken STS.034. J. Durant STS.036 Science in American Life: 1920-2020 Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Assesses the place of science in American public life from the 1920s to the present. Takes a historically inflected approach to examine the social relations of science in the modern United States. Examines science and (in turn) religion, warfare, health, education, the environment, and human rights to explore how an international leader in science is also home to some of the developed world's most persistent forms of "science denialism." Examples include the denial of evolution, human-induced climate change, and particular medical-scientic aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic. J. Durant Science, Technology, and Society   |   9 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.055[J] Living Dangerously: Environmental Problems from 1900 to Today (New) Same subject as 12.384[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H; CI-H See description under subject 12.384[J]. Limited to 18. S. Solomon, K. Brown STS.060[J] The Anthropology of Biology Same subject as 21A.303[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-S See description under subject 21A.303[J]. S. Helmreich STS.064[J] DV Lab: Documenting Science through Video and New Media Same subject as 21A.550[J] Subject meets with 21A.559 Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-3-6 units. HASS-A; CI-H See description under subject 21A.550[J]. Limited to 12. C. Walley, C. Boebel STS.065[J] The Anthropology of Sound Same subject as 21A.505[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S See description under subject 21A.505[J]. S. Helmreich STS.074[J] Art, Cra, Science Same subject as 21A.501[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S Credit cannot also be received for 21A.509[J], STS.474[J] See description under subject 21A.501[J]. H. Paxson STS.075[J] Technology and Culture Same subject as 21A.500[J] Prereq: None U (Fall, Spring) 2-0-7 units. HASS-S See description under subject 21A.500[J]. Limited to 50. H. Paxson STS.080[J] Youth Political Participation Same subject as 11.151[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: U (Spring) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Surveys youth political participation in the US since the early 1800s. Investigates trends in youth political activism during specic historical periods, as well as what dierence youth media production and technology use (e.g., radio, music, automobiles, ready-made clothing) made in determining the course of events. Explores what is truly new about "new media" and reviews lessons from history for present-day activists based on patterns of past failure and success. Some mandatory eld trips may occur during class time. Limited to 40. J. S. Light STS.081[J] Innovation Systems for Science, Technology, Energy, Manufacturing, and Health Same subject as 17.395[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Fall) 2-0-7 units. HASS-S Examines science and technology innovation systems, including case studies on energy, computing, advanced manufacturing, and health sectors. Emphasizes public policy and the federal government's role in that system. Focuses on the US but uses international examples. Reviews foundations of economic growth theory, innovation systems theory, and the basic approaches to science and technology policy. Explores the organization and role of energy and medical science R&D agencies, as well as gaps in those innovation systems. Also addresses the science and technology talent base as a factor in growth, and educational approaches to better support it. Class meets for nine weeks; in the remaining weeks, students work on a nal paper due at the end of the term. Limited to 25. W. B. Bonvillian 12   |   Science, Technology, and Society SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.082[J] Science, Technology, and Public Policy Same subject as 17.309[J], IDS.055[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) 4-0-8 units. HASS-S; CI-H Credit cannot also be received for 17.310[J], IDS.412[J], STS.482[J] See description under subject 17.309[J]. K. Oye, N. Selin STS.083 Computers and Social Change Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Provides instruction on how people have historically connected computers to ideas on social, economic, and political change and how these ideas have changed over time. Based on a series of case studies from dierent parts of the world. Explores topics such as how computers have intertwined with ideas on work, freedom, governance, and access to knowledge. Limited to 25. E. Medina STS.084[J] Social Problems of Nuclear Energy Same subject as 22.04[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S See description under subject 22.04[J]. Limited to 18. R. S. Kemp STS.085[J] Foundations of Information Policy Same subject as 6.4590[J] Subject meets with STS.487 Prereq: Permission of instructor U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S See description under subject 6.4590[J]. Enrollment limited. H. Abelson, R. David Edelman, M. Fischer, D. Weitzner STS.086[J] Cultures of Computing Same subject as 21A.504[J], WGS.276[J] Prereq: None U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-S See description under subject 21A.504[J]. H. Beltrán STS.087 Biography in Science Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Fall) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H An examination of biography as a literary genre to be employed in the history of science. The use of biography in dierent historical periods to illuminate aspects of the development of science. A critical analysis of autobiography, archival sources, and the oral tradition as materials in the construction of biographies of scientists. Published biographies of scientists constitute the major reading, but attention is given to unpublished biographical sources as well. Comparison is drawn between biography as a literary form in the history of science and in other disciplines. K. Manning STS.088 Africa for Engineers Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: U (Spring) 3-0-9 units. HASS-H Covers historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of engineering in Africa. Focuses on construction of big projects like cities, hydroelectricity dams, roads, railway lines, ports and harbors, transport and communication, mines, industrial processing plant, and plantations. Explores the contributions of big capital, engineers, politicians, and ordinary people. Emphasizes how local culture, politics, labor, and knowledge aect engineering. Also focuses on environmental and cultural impact assessment. Prepares students who wish to work or study in Africa and the Global South. Enrollment limited. C. Mavhunga STS.095, STS.096 Independent Study in Science, Technology, and Society Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit. For students who wish to pursue special studies or projects with a member of the Program in Science, Technology, and Society. STS.095 is letter-graded; STS.096 is P/D/F. Sta Science, Technology, and Society   |   13 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Special Subjects STS.S20, STS.S21 Special Subject: Science, Technology and Society Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring) Not oered regularly; consult department Units arranged Can be repeated for credit. Addresses subject matter in Science, Technology and Society that is not oered in the regular curriculum. Sta Research STS.095, STS.096 Independent Study in Science, Technology, and Society Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit. For students who wish to pursue special studies or projects with a member of the Program in Science, Technology, and Society. STS.095 is letter-graded; STS.096 is P/D/F. Sta STS.UR Undergraduate Research Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged [P/D/F] Can be repeated for credit. Undergraduate research opportunities in the STS Program. Sta STS.URG Undergraduate Research Prereq: None U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit. Undergraduate research opportunities in the STS Program. Sta STS.THT Undergraduate Thesis Tutorial Prereq: None U (Fall, Spring) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit. Denition and early-stage work on thesis project leading to STS.THU. Taken during rst term of student's two-term commitment to thesis project. Student works closely with STS faculty tutor. Required of all candidates for an STS degree. Sta STS.THU Undergraduate Thesis Prereq: STS.THT U (Fall, IAP, Spring, Summer) Units arranged Can be repeated for credit. Completion of work of the senior major thesis under the supervision of a faculty tutor. Includes gathering materials, preparing dra chapters, giving an oral presentation of thesis progress to faculty evaluators early in the term, and writing and revising the nal text. Students meet at the end of the term with faculty evaluators to discuss the successes and limitations of the project. Required of all candidates for an STS degree. Sta Graduate Subjects Required Introductory Subjects STS.250[J] Social Theory and Analysis Same subject as 21A.859[J] Prereq: None G (Fall) 3-0-9 units See description under subject 21A.859[J]. M. Fischer STS.260 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society Prereq: None G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Intensive reading and analysis of major works in historical and social studies of science and technology. Introduction to current methodological approaches, centered around two primary questions: how have science and technology evolved as human activities, and what roles do they play in society? Preparation for graduate work in the eld of science and technology studies and introduction to research resources and professional standards. Sta 14   |   Science, Technology, and Society SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.427 The Civil War and the Emergence of Modern America: 1861-1890 Subject meets with 21H.205[J], STS.027[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: G (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units Using the American Civil War as a baseline, considers what it means to become "modern" by exploring the war's material and manpower needs, associated key technologies, and how both influenced the United States' entrance into the age of "Big Business." Readings include material on steam transportation, telegraphic communications, arms production, naval innovation, food processing, medicine, public health, management methods, and the mass production of everything from underwear to uniforms – all essential ingredients of modernity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. M. R. Smith STS.430 Multi-Species Histories of Plant People, Wild and Cultivated Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Examines how centering plants changes our understanding of what it means to be human. Considers how, in response to the naming of the Anthropocene and anxieties over ecological crises, researchers in various elds have turned to plants as central players. Using this as a starting point, explores how researchers have described and re-calibrated relations among plants, humans, and environment, between life and non-life, action and being, subjectivity and autonomy in ways that radically altered ruling epistemologies in a range of disciplines. Looks at how philosophers, farmers, foresters, eco-critics, geographers, botanists, and popular science writers adapted research questions and narratives to incorporate not only plant uses, but plant intelligence and sentience. K. Brown STS.436 Cold War Science Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 3-0-9 units Examines the history and legacy of the Cold War on science and the environment in the US and the world. Explores scientists' new political roles aer World War II, ranging from elite policy makers in the nuclear age to victims of domestic anti-Communism. Also examines the changing institutions in which various scientic elds were conducted during the postwar decades, investigating possible epistemic eects on forms of knowledge. Subject closes by considering the places of science in the US during the post-Cold War era. K. Brown, D. I. Kaiser STS.441 Technology and Self: Technology and Conversation Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 2-0-10 units Explores the relationship between technology and conversation, with an emphasis on conversation in our digital age when so many say they would rather text than talk. Topics center on the psychology of online life, such as the way in which we both share and withhold information about the self. Discussion about the ways new kinds of online conversation are playing out in education, the workplace, and in families and what the changes in conversation mean for collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Readings include works in history, literature, anthropology, psychology, and linguistics. Open to undergraduates by permission of instructor. Limited to 15; no listeners. S. Turkle STS.443 Technology and Self: Science, Technology, and Memoir Subject meets with STS.043 Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 2-0-7 units Focuses on the memoir as a window onto the relationship of creative people (scientists, engineers, designers, and others) to their work. Examines how class, race, ethnicity, family history, and trauma shape the person who shapes artifacts, experiments, and ideas. Readings explore the connection between material culture, identity, and personal development. Oers the opportunity, if desired, to examine personal experiences and write memoir fragments. Students taking graduate version write a longer nal paper. Limited to 15; no listeners. S. Turkle Science, Technology, and Society   |   17 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.444 Technology and Self: Things and Thinking Subject meets with STS.044 Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 2-0-7 units Explores emotional and intellectual impact of objects. The growing literature on cognition and “things” cuts across anthropology, history, social theory, literature, sociology, and psychology and is of great relevance to science students. Examines the range of theories, from Mary Douglas in anthropology to D.W. Winnicott in psychoanalytic thinking, that underlies “thing” or “object” analysis. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. Limited to 15; no listeners. S. Turkle STS.454 Museums, Science and Technology Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Examines science, technology and museums. Includes regular readings and discussions about the evolution of museums of science and technology from (roughly) 1800 to the present. Students undertake special projects linked to the MIT Museum's re-location to a new building under construction in Kendall Square. Students act as informal consultants to the MIT Museum, oering proposals for innovative elements that will be seriously considered for inclusion in the new Museum. J. Durant STS.458 Science, Technology, and Human Rights Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 3-0-9 units Explores the relationship of science and technology to ideas about human rights over time, including how science and technology have been mobilized historically in the defense of human rights and to assist in the pursuit of truth and justice aer atrocity. Discusses literature in history, anthropology, law, and related elds to address how science and technology have historically shaped understandings of human rights and the ways that human rights frameworks have shaped the creation and use of scientic and technological capabilities. E. Medina STS.461 History and Social Study of Computing Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Examines the history and social study of computers. Introduces students to the core and canonical literature in this area while also providing the opportunity to read and discuss more recent works from multiple disciplines. E. Medina STS.462 Social and Political Implications of Technology Prereq: None G (Spring) Not oered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units Historical and contemporary studies are used to explore the interaction of technology with social and political values. Emphasis on how technological devices, structures, and systems influence the organization of society and the behavior of its members. Examples drawn from the technologies of war, transportation, communication, production, and reproduction. M. R. Smith STS.463[J] Technocracy Same subject as 11.461[J] Prereq: None G (Fall) Not oered regularly; consult department 3-0-9 units Survey of the history of eorts to apply scientic methods and technological tools to solve social and political problems, with a focus on the United States since 1850. Topics include: city planning, natural resource management, public education, economic development, quantication and modeling in the social and policy sciences, technology transfer, and political economies of expertise. J. S. Light 18   |   Science, Technology, and Society SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY STS.464 Computing from the Global South Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Examines the rise and development of computing technologies in the global south. Surveys the eects of decolonization in the mid- twentieth century on the imagination of computational technologies in places such as South America, Africa, and Asia. Covers the failures and defeats of postcolonial projects when faced with the challenge of asymmetric access to global markets and capital. Identies contemporary forms of resistance and imaginations of innovation that still endure and flourish in the global south, challenging perspectives from the global north. D. Banerjee STS.465[J] Research Seminar on Technology and the Work of the Future Same subject as 11.652[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Examines the past, present and future of work from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing from the humanities, social sciences, and cognitive science and engineering. Integrates perspectives from history, philosophy, sociology, economics, management, political science, brain and cognitive science and other relevant literatures, creating a solid foundation from which to interpret current public discourse on the subject. Discussion focuses primarily on the US; comparative perspectives from other countries incorporated into discussions and analysis. Limited to 15. D. Mindell, E. B. Reynolds STS.467[J] The History of Aviation Same subject as 16.707[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Spring) 3-0-9 units Reading course in the history of aviation, focusing on science and technology and cultural and political context. Themes include: the science of aeronautics, pilots and piloting, control systems and electronics, engineering epistemology, infrastructure, industry, government and politics, evolution of aeronautics research, culture and experience, automation and autonomy, role of MIT, literature and lm. Case studies of specic systems and engineering projects. Emphasis is on book-length texts, close reading, historical methods of analyzing technological change. Study of social and political dimensions of engineering projects, examination of aviation institutions. Students prepare weekly response papers to readings, make extended presentations to class twice per semester, and submit a nal research paper. D. Mindell STS.468[J] Entrepreneurship in Aerospace and Mobility Systems Same subject as 16.445[J] Prereq: Permission of instructor Acad Year 2022-2023: G (Fall) Acad Year 2023-2024: Not oered 3-0-9 units See description under subject 16.445[J]. D. A. Mindell STS.471[J] Engineering Apollo: The Moon Project as a Complex System Same subject as 16.895[J] Prereq: None Acad Year 2022-2023: Not oered Acad Year 2023-2024: G (Fall) 4-0-8 units Detailed technical and historical exploration of the Apollo project to fly humans to the moon and return them safely to Earth as an example of a complex engineering system. Emphasizes how the systems worked, the technical and social processes that produced them, mission operations, and historical signicance. Guest lectures by MIT-aliated engineers who contributed to and participated in the Apollo missions. Students work in teams on a nal project analyzing an aspect of the historical project to articulate and synthesize ideas in engineering systems. D. 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