de la Torre III, Pedro

English

Digital Commons @ New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

New Jersey Institute of TechnologyDigital Commons @ NJITHumanities Syllabi NJIT SyllabiFall 2019STS 201-105: Understanding TechnologicalSocietyPedro de la Torre IIIFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/hum-syllabiThis Syllabus is brought to you for free and open access by the NJIT Syllabi at Digital Commons @ NJIT. It has been accepted for inclusion inHumanities Syllabi by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ NJIT. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@njit.edu.Recommended Citationde la Torre III, Pedro, "STS 201-105: Understanding Technological Society" (2019). Humanities Syllabi. 175.https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/hum-syllabi/175	STS	201.105							 	 	 	 	 	 	 												Dr.	Pedro	de	la	Torre	III	Mondays,	6-8:50	PM	 	 	 	 	 	 	 																												pedlt3@njit.edu	Electrical & Computer Engr Ctr 100	 	 																																																	Office	Hours:	Tues.,	4	-	5	PMUnderstanding	Technological	Society		Course	Description	In	this	class,	we	will	be	examining	the	intersections	of	science,	technology,	culture,	and	politics	in	a	nuanced	and	critical	way.	We	will	be	drawing	on	work	from	the	interdisciplinary	social	science	field	of	science	and	technology	studies	(STS),	which	means	we	will	be	asking	questions,	like:	Who	gains	and	who	is	hurt	by	particular	technologies,	and	who	should	have	a	say	in	how	or	whether	they	are	implemented?	Are	science	and	technology	distinct	from,	or	examples	of,	culture	and	politics?	How	does	expertise	limit,	support,	or	transform	movements	and	other	forms	of	public	participation?	Does	your	smartphone	and	social	media	help	connect	you	to	your	communities,	does	it	make	you	into	a	lonely	zombie,	or	is	it	complicated?	How	has	science	and	technology	both	created	and	challenged	inequality	and	oppression?	How	is	identity	mediated	and	transformed	by	science	and	technology?	What	science	doesn’t	get	done,	and	why?			Despite	the	title	of	the	course,	we	will	end	up	with	more	questions	than	answers.	Our	first	core	task	will	be	learning	about	some	of	the	thoughtful	approaches	to	these	issues	provided	by	STS	scholars.	The	second	will	be	to	engage	in	discussions,	activities,	and	assignments	that	will	help	us	develop	our	own	informed	perspectives	on	these	important	questions.	We	will	be	working	towards	the	following	learning	outcomes:		• Understanding	some	of	the	key	concepts,	theories,	and	methodologies	of	STS	• Evaluating	the	social,	cultural,	and	environmental	implications	of	particular	technologies,	policies,	and	forms	of	knowledge	production	• Analyzing	cultural	and	political	assumption	about	technoscientific	progress,	governance,	and	ethics	• Identifying	the	ways	diversity,	difference,	and	inequality	shape	and	are	shaped	by	science	and	technology		 		Course	Materials	All	course	materials	will	either	be	posted	on	Moodle,	or	a	link	will	be	provided	on	the	syllabus	(which	can	also	be	found	on	Moodle).	You	are	expected	to	have	all	of	the	week’s	readings	accessible	to	you	in	class	on	paper,	on	a	tablet,	or	a	laptop	(not	on	cell	phones).	I	highly	recommend	printing	out	your	readings.	You	should	check	the	syllabus	and	Moodle	often,	in	case	there	are	changes	to	the	scheduled	readings.			Course	Policies	Office	Hours	Office	hours	will	be	held	in	Cullimore	Hall	in	room	#435.	The	door	locks	automatically,	so	please	knock	loudly.	If	scheduled	office	hours	do	not	work	for	you,	you	can	also	schedule	another	time	to	meet	via	email.			STS	201	Section	105				 2	Late/Incomplete	Work	Each	additional	24	hours	that	an	assignment	is	late	will	result	in	the	penalty	of	a	letter	grade.	Make-up	exams	will	only	be	allowed	when	there	are	significant	extenuating	circumstances,	as	determined	by	the	Dean	of	Students.			Technology	On	the	first	day	of	class,	we	will	discuss	and	vote	on	a	binding	technology	policy	for	the	classroom.			Expectations	I	expect	students	to	be	present	(in	mind	and	body)	in	each	course,	and	on-time.	Each	unexcused	absence	after	the	first	will	result	in	a	five	point	reduction	in	your	participation	grade.	If	you	are	absent	or	late,	it	is	your	responsibility	to	find	out	what	we	covered	in	class,	including	details	about	assignments.	I	recommend	you	exchange	contact	information	with	a	“buddy”	for	the	course	that	can	help	fill	you	in,	although	you	may	contact	me	as	a	last	resort.	Most	announcements	about	assignments,	readings,	etc.	will	happen	within	the	first	five	minutes	of	class.			You	are	also	expected	to	be	respectful	of	fellow	students,	and	to	do	your	part	to	create	a	supportive	and	inclusive	learning	environment.	We	will	be	covering	some	difficult	and	politically	charged	issues	in	this	course.	Students	are	expected	to	give	classmates	space	to	grapple	clumsily	with	new	and	difficult	ideas	and	be	open	to	respectful	criticism	and	disagreement.	However,	I	will	not	tolerate	attacks	on	or	an	atmosphere	hostile	to	anyone	based	on	race,	gender	expression,	sexuality,	nationality,	religion,	body	type,	immigration	status,	status	as	a	survivor	of	sexual	assault,	or	disability.	If	you	have	related	concerns,	please	do	not	hesitate	to	contact	me.		Integrity	Academic	Integrity	is	the	cornerstone	of	higher	education	and	is	central	to	the	ideals	of	this	course	and	the	university.	Cheating	is	strictly	prohibited	and	devalues	the	degree	that	you	are	working	on.	As	a	member	of	the	NJIT	community,	it	is	your	responsibility	to	protect	your	educational	investment	by	knowing	and	following	the	academic	code	of	integrity	policy	that	is	found	at:	http://www5.njit.edu/policies/sites/policies/files/academic-integrity-code.pdf.				Please	note	that	it	is	my	professional	obligation	and	responsibility	to	report	any	academic	misconduct	to	the	Dean	of	Students	Office.	Any	student	found	in	violation	of	the	code	by	cheating,	plagiarizing	or	using	any	online	software	inappropriately	will	result	in	disciplinary	action.	This	may	include	a	failing	grade	of	F,	and/or	suspension	or	dismissal	from	the	university.	If	you	have	any	questions	about	the	code	of	Academic	Integrity,	please	contact	the	Dean	of	Students	Office	at	dos@njit.edu.	Grading	/	Assignments	All	of	your	grades	will	be	expressed	as	percentages.	In	Moodle,	you	may	see	letter	grades	like	A+	and	A-	that	do	not	technically	exist	at	NJIT,	but	your	final	grade	will	be	assigned	based	on	the	following	scale	(rounding	up	or	down	if	your	score	lands	between	letter	grades):		 A	 90-100%	B+	 87-89%	B	 80-86%	C+	 77-79%	C	 70-76%	D	 60-69%	F	 0-59%			STS	201	Section	105				 3	Weekly	Annotations	&	Film	Reviews	(10%)	-	Each	week,	you	are	responsible	for	writing	an	“annotation”	of	any	ONE	of	the	assigned	readings	that	are	marked	with	an	asterisk	on	the	schedule.	I	will	provide	a	template	for	annotations	on	Moodle,	which	is	where	you	will	turn	them	in.	Annotations	should	be	at	least	200	words	(not	including	the	quotations	you	will	be	asked	to	provide).	Good	faith	completion	of	the	annotations	will	earn	you	a	100%,	but	if	it	looks	like	you	didn’t	actually	read	I	may	deduct	points	or	refuse	to	accept	the	annotation.	Please	note	that	annotations	are	scanned	by	plagiarism	software.	Additionally,	we	will	watch	films	in	class	on	occasion.	You	will	need	to	fill	out	a	“film	review”	a	short	worksheet	that	will	either	be	handed	out	in	class	or	posted	on	Moodle.	The	lowest	three	grades	(including	“0”)	on	annotations	and	film	reviews	will	be	dropped	automatically—in	other	words,	you	will	have	three	“free	passes.”		STS	Topics	Report	&	Presentation	(20%)	–	Working	in	groups,	you	will	write	and	present	a	report	responding	to	a	topic	in	STS.	A	detailed	list	of	requirements,	as	well	as	a	list	of	topics	to	choose	from,	will	be	provided	early	in	the	semester.	Some	class	time	will	be	available	for	you	to	work	with	your	groups	(marked	in	the	schedule	as:	“Group	Work”),	although	some	work	will	have	to	happen	outside	of	class.	You	will	be	expected	to	cite	course	readings,	peer-reviewed	work	in	the	social	sciences,	and	other	credible	sources.	At	the	end	of	the	course,	you	will	be	asked	to	complete	a	peer-assessment,	and	students	who	contributed	little	will	not	receive	the	full	grade	awarded	to	their	group.		Debates	(20%)	-	We	will	have	a	series	of	in-class	debates	on	issues	of	technoscientific	controversy.	Students	are	expected	to	work	with	their	group	to	research	the	topic,	and	present	a	strong	case	for	their	“side”	in	the	debate.	Each	student	must	turn	in	an	individual	research	memo	with	at	least	three	credible	citations	(or	one	peer-reviewed	social	science	journal	article)	each	time	their	group	is	debating.	Individual	research	memos	must	be	turned	in	on	Moodle	BEFORE	class	begins	(a	template	for	talking	points	is	available	on	Moodle).	Half	of	the	grade	will	be	determined	by	the	quality	of	this	individual	research,	and	half	by	the	group’s	in-class	performance.	If	you	are	absent	for	a	debate,	you	must	write	a	one	page	single-spaced	argumentative	essay	for	the	side	of	the	debate	assigned	to	your	group	within	one	week.			Participation	(10%)	You	will	be	graded	on	attendance,	as	well	as	the	quantity	and	quality	of	your	participation	in	class	discussions	and	activities.	You	should	always	come	with	at	least	one	written	question	or	comment	about	the	readings	to	share	with	the	class.	Finally,	if	participation	is	lacking,	or	it	seems	students	are	not	reading,	I	will	assign	pop	quizzes	that	will	count	towards	your	participation	grade.			Exams	(40%)	You	will	take	both	a	midterm	and	final	exam,	each	counting	towards	20%	of	your	final	grade.	Exams	will	include	a	mix	of	multiple	choice,	short	answer,	and	essay	questions.				Schedule	Readings	and	assignments	are	to	be	completed	by	the	beginning	of	class	on	the	date	they	are	listed.	9/9	 • Group	Work:	Topics	Due	9/16	 • “The	Promise”	in	The	Sociological	Imagination	by	C.W.	Mills*	• Anthropologies	of	the	Sciences:	Thinking	Across	Strata	by	Mike	Fortun	&	Kim	Fortun*	• Annotation	#1	Due	9/23	 • Preface	&	CH	1-2	in	The	Whale	and	the	Reactor	by	Langdon	Winner*	• Annotation	#2	Due	STS	201	Section	105				 4	9/30	 • The	deadly	truth	about	a	world	built	for	men	–	from	stab	vests	to	car	crashes	by	Caroline	Criado-Perez	• Sex	redefined	by	Claire	Ainsworth	• Group	Work:	Research	Question	Due	• Debate	 #1:	 Tech	 companies	 like	 Amazon	 should	 sever	 all	 contracts	 with	 immigration	enforcement	agencies	10/7	 • CH	1,	10,	&	12	in	An	Introduction	to	Science	and	Technology	Studies	by	Sergio	Sismondo*	• Annotation	#3	Due	• Debate	#2:	Social	media	promotes	democracy,	equality,	and	cross-cultural	understanding	10/14	 • “Race	&	Ethnicity”	by	Justin	D.	Garcı́a	(from	“Perspectives:	An	Open	Invitation	to	Cultural	Anthropology”)	• The	unwelcome	revival	of	‘race	science’	By	Gavin	Evans	• Anthrobites:	Scientic	Racism	w/	Rachel	Watkins	• Midterm	Exam	Review	• Annotation	#4	Due	10/21	 • Midterm	Exam	10/28	 • CH	1	&	CH	5	in	Dumping	in	Dixie	by	Robert	D.	Bullard*	• Dirty	 Little	 Secrets:	New	 Jersey’s	 Poorest	 Live	 Surrounded	 by	 Contamination	 by	 Sarah	Gonzalez	and	The	WNYC	Data	News	Team	• Massive,	 $1.7	 billion	 environmental	 cleanup	 of	 Passaic	 River	 proposed	 by	 EPA	By	 Ted	Sherman	• Annotation	#5	Due	11/4	 • Who	are	nuclear	weapons	scientists?	|	Hugh	Gusterson	|	TEDxFoggyBottom	(video)	• Gusterson,	Hugh.	1996.	Bodies	and	Machines	In	Nuclear	Rites:	A	Weapons	Laboratory	at	the	End	of	the	Cold	War.*	• Debate	#3:	The	United	States	should	heed	calls	by	the	Sunrise	Movement	and	others	to	implement	a	“Green	New	Deal”	• Annotation	#6	Due	11/11	 • Epstein,	Steven.	“The	Construction	of	Lay	Expertise:	AIDS	Activism	and	the	Forging	of	Credibility	in	the	Reform	of	Clinical	Trials.”	Science,	Technology,	&	Human	Values	20,	no.	4	(1995):	408-437.*	• Annotation	#7	Due	11/18	 • Political	Neurotheology:	Emergence	and	Revival	of	a	Psychedelic	Alternative	to		Cosmetic	Psychopharmacology	by	Nicolas	Langlitz*		• Annotation	#8	Due	11/25	 • Group	Work:	Outline	&	“Final”	Bibiography	Due	• Debate	#4:	Nuclear	weapons	should	be	prohibited	for	all	states	under	international	law	• Tapping	Local	Knowledge	to	Understand	and	Combat	Asthma	By	Jason	Corburn	• Annotation	#9	Due	12/2	 • Situated	Knowledges:	The	Science	Question	in	Feminism	and	the	Privilege	of	Partial	Perspective”	by	Donna	Haraway*	• Annotation	#10	Due	12/9	 Last	Day	of	Class	• Group	Work:	Presentations	&	Reports	Due	TBA	 • Final	Exam		

STS 201-105: Understanding Technological Society

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STS 201-105: Understanding Technological Society

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