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| Science, Technology, and Society | |
| STS 1000 | Introduction to Technical Communications for Non-Native Speakers (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | Instruction in communication for students whose first language is not English. Specialized instruction in academic/content area communication as well as personal expression in a variety of settings will enable students to complete academic programs in a more efficient and timely manner. After completion of STS 1000, students must complete STS 1500 by the end of their first year of residency in the SEAS. |
| STS 1500 | Science, Technology, and Contemporary Issues (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | This course introduces students to contemporary issues involving science, technology, and engineering as well as the core ideas of STS. Emphasis is on three ideas: a) engineering is a social endeavor; b) technology shapes and is shaped by society; and c) technologies are sociotechnical systems. The course also teaches writing and public speaking, skills needed in engineering. Course was offered Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Summer 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2010 |
| STS 2010 | Thomas Jefferson's Interests in Science and Technology (3.00) |
| Introduces Jefferson's use of scientific thinking in his major accomplishments and efforts to influence public policy, agriculture, education, invention, architecture, and religion. Readings in his writings, class discussions, guest lectures and field visits to local centers of Jefferson research. Short papers, in-class presentations, and a research paper are required. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent | |
| STS 2030 | Humans and Machines: Visions of Tyranny and Freedom in 19th- and 20th-Century Literature (3.00) |
| Analysis of attitudes toward the problem of the machine and technological advances in modern civilization, as reflected in selected American and European writings and films. Discussions, oral presentations, papers, and a final exam. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2060 | American Environmental History (3.00) |
| Explores the historical relationship between people and the environment in North America, from colonial times to the present. Topics include the role of culture, economics, politics, and technology in that relationship. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2070 | Utopias and the Technological Society (3.00) |
| Lectures, readings, and discussions compare earlier and modern designs of the ideal society, stressing the relationship of their basic technologies to historical reality. Such writers as Plato, Thomas More, and Edward Bellamy are considered. Students give oral presentations, write short papers, and research technological utopias. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2071 | American Power and Energies - A History of the United States (3.00) |
| America today is a high-energy society. For over a century, the United States has also wielded vast economic, political, and military power. How do energy sources relate to social, corporate, or political power? This course examines that question across the history of the United States. It draws from political, business, technological, and environmental history to chart the growth, effects, and limits of power in its varied forms. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2080 | History of Flight (3.00) |
| Explores the development of flight from the earliest historical records of peoples' interest in flying through the achievements of the space age. Emphasizes the social and cultural impacts of flight, advances in technology, and the significance of the contribution of individuals. Guest lectures, film showings, visits to aviation museums, and student reports and projects supplement regular classroom lecture and discussion. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2081 | Making the Machine Age: Technology in American Society, 1890-1990 (3.00) |
| Social history of American technology in the twentieth century. Primarily concerned with the interplay between society and technology. Historical perspectives on the causes of technological change and the ways in which technologies extend or upset centers of social power and influence. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent | |
| STS 2090 | The History of Space Flight (3.00) |
| Explores the history of space flight, from peoples' earliest interest in rockets through the most recent developments in aerospace technology. Examines the contributions of various scientists, engineers, and inventors to space travel; the major eras of aerospace history and the impacts of U.S. and international space programs on society. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2100 | Technology and Social Change in 19th-Century America (3.00) |
| A study of the impacts of nineteenth-century American industrial development on the community, the worker, and engineering. Students make oral and written presentations, write short papers, and a research paper. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2120 | Religion and Technology (3.00) |
| A historical examination of the role of religion in the early development of technology; technology as a secular substitute for religion; and religious critiques of contemporary technological society. Equal time is spent on lectures, student-led discussions of the readings, and student oral presentations. Short papers and a major research project on a particular denomination's or congregation's attitudes toward technology-related issues. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2140 | Earth Systems Technology and Management (3.00) |
| Introduces students to earth systems technology and management, and related concepts such as industrial ecology (the objective, multidisciplinary study of industrial and economic systems and their linkages with fundamental natural systems). The requirements of this course include regular and prepared participation in class and discussions, two semester projects, homework as assigned, and substantial reading and analysis of case studies and articles. Additionally, students will become familiar with design methodologies, and apply those methodologies to case studies as part of a class project. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. Course was offered January 2013, January 2012 | |
| STS 2160 | Intellectual Property, Engineering, and Society (3.00) |
| Introduces the fundamentals and history of U.S. copyright and patent law and examines its impact on technological innovation, technological creativity, business strategy, public welfare in the U.S. and developing nations, and global competitiveness. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2170 | Scientific and Technological Thinking (3.00) |
| Explores the ways scientists and inventors think, using concepts, theories, and methods borrowed from several disciplines, but focusing especially on psychology. Topics include experimental simulations of scientific reasoning, a cognitive framework for understanding creativity, and modeling discovery on a computer. Students read and discuss articles and conduct a short research project. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2180 | Invention and Design (3.00) |
| Investigates the way technology is created and improved. Offers a collaborative learning environment in which multi-disciplinary teams invent and design several modules that emulate problems, such as the invention of the telephone or the design of an expert system. Includes readings from psychology, history, computing, ethics, and engineering. Students keep design notebooks, present team project results, and write an integrative paper. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2201 | Technology in World History (3.00) |
| Surveys how cultures have developed technology from the earliest times to the end of the twentieth century. Includes both western and non-western cultures and explores how different cultures have used technology to produce economic abundance, social order, and cultural meaning. No technical or scientific expertise required. Prerequisite: STS 1500 or an equivalent STS course Course was offered Fall 2012 | |
| STS 2500 | Science and Technology in Social and Global Context (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | This course invites students to explore the implications of STS core concepts within a specific topical or disciplinary area, drawing out the implications of STS 1500 in depth. The course explores the social and global context of engineering, science and technology. Although writing and speaking skills are emphasized, more attention is given to course content and the students' analytical abilities. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or an equivalent STS course. Course was offered Spring 2013, January 2013, Fall 2012, Summer 2012, Spring 2012, January 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2011, January 2011, Fall 2010, Spring 2010, January 2010, Fall 2009 |
| STS 2620 | Science and Technology Public Policy (3.00) |
| Examines the development of public policies aimed at promoting and regulating science and technology. Topics include historical evolution of the federal government's involvement in science policy; the players, organizations, and agencies who make science policy; the reasons the government funds the research it does; how science and technology is regulated by the government. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent. | |
| STS 2993 | Independent Study: Technology and Society (1.00 - 3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | Special tutorial with a topic declared in advance. Limited to undergraduate SEAS students with third- or fourth-year standing. Not to substitute for STS 4500, 4600. The topic, work plan, and conditions are arranged by contract between instructor and student and approved by the department chair, with a copy to be filed in the department office. Prerequisites: STS 1500 or equivalent, a 2000-level STS course. |
| STS 3020 | Science and Technology Policy for Interns (3.00) |
| This course is designed to prepare undergraduates for internships in science and technology policy in Washington, DC, Richmond, and Paris. In the longer term, it aims to develop future leaders in science and technology, inside and outside of government, by equipping engineers and applied scientists with knowledge and skills in public policy. Enrollment is limited to participants in the Internship Program in Science and Technology Policy at SEAS. Pre-Requisites: Acceptance into the SEAS Science and Technology Policy Program. All interns in the program must take the course in the spring term before their internship. | |
| STS 3110 | Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology (1.00 - 3.00) |
| Students will explore the societal dimensions of a new technology through a combination of readings and disussions. They will relate their research experience to the theme of the class. Students must be involved in nanotechnology research. | |
| STS 3500 | Advanced Topics in Technology and Society (3.00) |
| Specific topics vary. Advanced level examination of the relationships among science, technology and society. Fullfills STS 2000-level requirement. Prerequisite: STS 1500 Course was offered Spring 2013, Spring 2011 | |
| STS 4110 | The Business of New Product Development (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | Provides overview of business considerations required to commercialize new products. Included is an understanding of the business structure, processes, vocabulary, product lifecycle, organizational capabilities and financial/analytical tools, as well as the challenge of leadership in meeting diverse expectations of internal and external stakeholders. Taught with lectures, case studies and experiential projects. Prerequisites: Business Minor & Fourth year standing or instructor permission. |
| STS 4500 | STS and Engineering Practice (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | This course engages students with the idea that success in posing and solving engineering problems requires attention to the social dimensions of professional endeavors and practice. STS theories and methods are applied to student thesis projects. Students produce a prospectus for the senior thesis project. Students must be in residence to take this course. Students are not permitted to take STS 4500 and STS 4600 simultaneously.Prerequisites: STS 2500 or an equivalent. Course was offered Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Summer 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2010 |
| STS 4600 | The Engineer, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | This course focuses on ethical issues in engineering. The key theme is that ethics is central to engineering practice. The professional responsibilities of engineers are examined. Students produce an STS Research paper linked to their technical thesis project and complete all of the requirements for the senior thesis. Students must be in residence to take this course. Students are not permitted to take STS 4500 and STS 4600 simultaneously. Prerequisites: STS 4500. Course was offered Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Summer 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2010 |
| STS 5500 | Topics in Technology and Society (3.00) |
| Offered Fall 2013 | A first-level graduate/advanced undergraduate course relates technology or engineering to the broader culture. The specific subject will differ from time to time. Course was offered Spring 2010 |
| STS 5993 | Independent Study: Technology and Society (1.00 - 12.00) |
| Detailed study of graduate course material on an independent basis under the guidance of a faculty member. | |