Directors: Daniel Nuckols and Jack Mealy
There is a complex relationship between science and society, and this relationship is global in scope. The Global Science, Technology, and Society Program explores this relationship both in contemporary societies and from an historical perspective. The goals of the minor are to:
- Understand the practice and philosophy of science
- Explore how societal and historical forces shape, and are shaped, by science, its boundaries, its implementation, and its use
- Examine ethical questions about the use of science and technology
- Explore multicultural and international approaches to science in a global context, including how differences of culture, class, gender, and ethnicity affect how science is practiced
The minor in global science, technology, and society is designed to foster awareness of the interrelationship of global culture and the changing nature of scientific knowledge and technology. The quest for scientific knowledge is universal, yet both the advances in knowledge and the implementation of technologies can be properly understood only in their multicultural context. Historical and contemporary studies of the relationship between science and society help to moderate our parochial conceits. Such studies create conditions that allow international problems like global warming, pandemic disease, secure telecommunications, militarization of space, economic inequality, and environmental degradation to be addressed in true cooperative and informed spirit.
A minor in global science, technology, and society consists of:
Required Course (1 course)
GSTS 250 Intermediate Topics in Global Science, Technology, and Society
Global Perspective (1 course)
Course Prefix and Number:
Electives (3 courses)
ANTH 263 Whose Amazon?
BIOL 101 Influenza – From 1918 until 2009
BIOL 101 Microbes and Society
CHEM 101 Women and Science
BIOL 246 Eukaryotic Pathogens
ECO 234 Economic Development
ECO 270 Economic History
ECO 485 History of Economic Thought
ENG 252 Literature and Science
ENVS 135 Introduction to Environmental Studies
ENVS 230/330 Globalization
ENVS 479 Environmental Policy
PHIL 205 Ethics
PHIL 207 Environment Philosophy
PHIL 209 Ethics and Medicine
PHIL 306 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 307 Environmental Philosophy
PHIL 310 Mind and Language
PHY 101 The Day After Tomorrow (Global Climate and Extreme Weather)
PSCI 240 Introduction to Asian Politics
PSCI 430 International Relations Theory
PSY 214 Psychopharmacology
PSY 340 Cultural Psychology
REL 220 Illness, Medicine, and Healing in Asian Religions
SCI 201 All sections
SCI 202 Atoms and Axioms
GSTS-related International Experience and Reflections Presentation
Other Considerations When Planning for this Minor:
- Other courses may be appropriate and relevant to student’s specific interests and may be included with the director’s approval.
Total Credits Requirement = 5 course credits
COURSES
GSTS 250 Intermediate Topics in Global Science, Technology, and Society
Interdisciplinary subjects dealing with the interrelationship of global culture and the changing nature of science and technology. May be repeated when topics vary. No prerequisites. (Each spring)
GSTS 260 Intermediate Directed Study
Student investigation of topic of interest working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Freshman January term or Sophomore standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.
GSTS 294 Intermediate Student Research
Intended for less experienced students to develop and execute a research project, beyond the constraints of the normal classroom, suitable for public dissemination on or off campus under mentorship of a faculty member. Typically this work results in a formal presentation, written work, or creative works. Course credit varies from 0-1.00. PREQ: Instructor permission required.
GSTS 350/450 Advanced Topics in Global Science, Technology, and Society
Interdisciplinary subjects dealing with the interrelationship of global culture and the changing nature of science and technology. May be repeated when topics vary. PREQ: Global Science, Technology, and Society 250 or equivalent. (Each fall)
GSTS 360/460 Advanced Directed Study
Student investigation of topic of interest related to the major or minor working in collaboration with a faculty member resulting in significant oral and written work. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered for variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.
GSTS 394/494 Advanced Student Research
Intended for advanced students to develop and execute a research project suitable for public dissemination under mentorship of a faculty member. Students are expected to present the results of their research in a public forum. Typically this work results in a formal presentation, written work, or creative works. Offered for variable course credit from 0-1.00. PREQ: Instructor permission required.
GSTS 490 Independent Study
Student-driven independent work to produce a high-quality body of work such as paper, report, art project, etc. See On-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.
GSTS 491 Honors Thesis in Global Science, Technology, and Society
Extensive independent study in the major in a topic of special interest culminating in a bachelor’s thesis with oral examination by thesis committee resulting in a bachelor’s degree with Honors upon completion. See Departmental Honors Program for more information. Completed in the last three semesters before graduation. Offered for variable course credit from 1.00-2.00.
GSTS 492 Independent Study Off-Campus/NSOC
Student-driven independent study in a topic related to the major completed at an off-campus site. See Off-Campus Learning Opportunities for more information. PREQ: Junior or Senior standing. Special permission required. Offered in variable course credit from 0.25-1.00.