SOC 334 Science, Technology, and Society Lingnan University Department of Politics and Sociology Fall 2004 Term 1 I. GENERAL INFORMATION Contact Information Instructor: Pei Pei Koay Office: SO 214 Phone: 2616.7208 Email: ppkoay@ln.hk.edu Office hours: Mondays 9:30 am -12 pm, Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 pm 4:30-6 pm, Fridays 3:30-4:30 p.m. If you want to see me outside of these times, this is not a problem, but please make an appointment first by email or phone. Location and time Lecture: Wednesday 11:30-1:30 in SO-102 Recitation: Mon 8:30-9:30 a.m., Fri 2:30-3:30 p.m., or Fri 6:30-7:30 p.m. II. COURSE DESCRIPTION The overall aims of this course are: a. to prepare students to think critically about the roles that science and technology play in their daily lives, in their local communities, in the nations, and in the global world, b. to inspire students to think creatively about the roles of science and technology in these various spheres of their lives in the future, and c. to think about what it means to do and make responsible decisions about science and technology. This course will introduce students to the study of interactions among science, technology, and society and their mutual shaping. We will take a critical approach to science and technology. By this, we will not mean adopting a negative perspective about science and technology, but rather thoughtful, analytical approaches to examining and exploring complex relationships among science, technology, and society. We will examine and raise questions about the statuses and roles of science and technology in our modern world and our capacity to participate in their production. We will go about this by studying how different authors explain relationships among science, technology, and society and the roles of science and technology in the development of our world, our institutions, communities, and ourselves. However, we will want to study not only formal institutions and mechanisms in which scientific production develops and participation defined, but also informal locations. Students will be introduced to various theories about science and technology, study relevant issues about science, technology, and society of particular importance today, and explore in more detail examples of interfaces among science, technology, and society. These examples will come primarily from the life and information sciences. By the end of the course, students will be expected to have an understanding of what some of the major concepts, themes, questions, and problems are in studying science-technology-society relationships today, know what some of the major theories and critiques are of those relationships, and apply and explore them in particular examples. The course will be taught in English and all assignments must be completed in English. No other prerequisite (such as scientific or technical knowledge) is required. The aim of this course is not to impart students with particular information and technical facts about science and technology. Rather, we will explore the concept that science and technology are social productions influenced by and influencing 1
diverse groups, communities, and institutions. By studying the many dimensions of science and technology and their roles in society, we will examine and pursue answers to what is science? - technology? what are their roles in modern society? -and in the future? Key concepts that we will explore throughout the course will include: nature, objectivity, essentialism, rationality, progress, authority, expertise, and technoscience. Key conceptual themes will include: social construction of science, politics and authority of science and technology, public understanding and participation in science and technology, and identity making in the modern world. Why this course? In our modern world, science and technologies are placed high on the agenda in the political, economic, and educational realms. This course emphasizes the importance for students regardless of their major to participate in decision-making about the technoscientific world within which we live AND attend to issues of responsibility and accountability that must accompany technoscientific endeavors. The overall theme in the lectures, discussions, recitations, and assignments emphasizes the humanistic, social, and political aspects of science and technology. In particular, we will examine the political turn in studying science-technology-society relationships. By this we mean we will be asking: who gets what, when, and how when it comes to the benefits and losses of techno-scientific endeavors, who gets to speak about or represent science, and who gets to participate in their production and how the answers to these queries affect their production, their place in society, and the people of those societies. III CLASS ATMOSPHERE We will treat each other with respect. The issues we will be discussing are complex. The emphasis is not on students knowing facts but on thinking critically, rigorously, and creatively about science, technology, and society. Your fellow students want to know what you think about these matters. Therefore, it is important to contribute your thoughts, but listening is as important as speaking. Therefore, we want to maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect whether we are speaking or listening. Please come to classes on time. If you must enter late, come in quietly so as to disrupt the class as little as possible. Please turn off your cell phones in both tutorials and lectures. If you do not understand anything, ask. If you cannot ask a question in class, then write it down and ask after class or come see me. We are here to learn from one another and we cannot do so if people do not speak up. Criticism is part of discussion, but be constructive in your criticism. Discussion is not a competition but a learning experience. IV REQUIRED READINGS (Required materials are on 3-hour reserve in the library.) Readings should be completed before lecture. The main text for the lecture will be Robert McGinn s Science, Technology, and Society. This is a rather old text, but it outlines and introduces many of the important science and society issues in a concise way in one book. The lectures will follow many of the main topics from McGinn s text (although not always in the same order look at the lecture outline). The McGinn text examines the relationship between science and technology and society from primarily institutional and professional perspectives. We will follow these leads in the beginning, examine their limitations, and explore alternatives to the study of interactions among science, technology, and society. The lectures, recitations, and other assigned readings will enhance and move beyond McGinn s arguments and update his interpretation of science and technology studies. Therefore, it is imperative that students come to lecture, attend recitation, and do ALL the assigned readings. 2
Robert E. McGinn, Science, Technology, and Society, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1991. Teich, Albert H., ed., Technology and the Future, 9 th edition, Canada: Thomson, 2003. Balsamo, Anne, Ch. 4, Public Pregnancies, Technologies of the Gendered Body, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1996. Fujimura, Joan H., Transnational Genomics: Transgressing the Boundary between the Modern/West and the Premodern/East, in Roddy Reid and Sharon Traweek, eds. Doing Science + Culture: How Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies are Changing the Way We Look at Science and Medicine, New York: Routledge, 2000: 71-94. Recommended: Collins, Harry and Trevor Pinch, The Golem: What you should know about science, 2 nd ed., NY: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Collins, Harry and Trevor Pinch, The Golem: What you should know about technology, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Easton, Thomas A., ed., Gedanken Fictions: Stories on Science, Technology, and Society [digital], Wildside Press, 2000. IV. GRADING Tutorial: participation and presentation 20% Short Term paper (1500 word limit) 30% Mid-term 10% Final Exam 40% V. EXAMS The mid-term will cover weeks 1 through 4. The purpose of this exam is for me to make sure that students are following along. They will be short answer questions and cover material from the readings and lecture. The emphasis in this course is for you to grasp concepts and themes. In other words, do not panic or try to memorize every detail in the readings. Know the theories, models, concepts, and ideas from the readings. The same goes for the final exam, which is a large part of your grade (40%). The final exam will be cumulative, meaning that it will cover readings and lectures from throughout the term. Questions on the final will be short answer and essay. VI. TUTORIALS, DISCUSSIONS, AND PRESENTATION Students have been assigned to one of the three tutorial sections. These will begin after the week of ADD/DROP. The first tutorials will commence during the week of September 12, but after Week 3 s lecture. Therefore, the first tutorial will be on Friday, September 17 th (see the schedule below). The first presentations will start the following week on September 24 th. In these tutorials students will be expected to conduct one presentation on an assigned topic correlating with one of the lecture topics. Students presenting will provide me with a presentation outline the week before their talk. Within two weeks of their presentation, students will present me with their term paper of know more than 1500 words. Further details for the presentation and term paper and their grading will be provided during the first tutorial. The presentation and paper will be graded on content, organization, and style, but we will go through this more formally later in the first tutorial. For written guidelines refer to those of the translation s department found in: http://www.ln.edu.hk/tran/info/styleguide.html. 3
Please note: Participation in discussion is key in this course. You must attend all of the lectures and tutorials regardless of whether or not you are presenting. Students will be penalized and points taken from their presentation grade for every tutorial that they miss. The reason for this is that students will be required to participate in discussion and ask questions of the presenters. TUTORIAL DATES Friday groups Monday groups September 17 September 20 Tutorial (details of requirements) September 24 September 27 Topic 1 October 15 October 18 Topic 2 October 29 November 1 Topic 3 November 5 November 8 Topic 4 November 12 November 15 Topic 5 November 19 November 22 Topic 6 November 26 November 29 Topic 7 V. COURSE OUTLINE AT A GLANCE (Dates and schedule) Week 1 Sept 1 Introduction to the course and its requirements Week 2 Sept 8 Thinking about science s role in society Week 3 Sept 15 Thinking about technology s role in society Week 4 Sept 22 Science, technology, and work Week 5 Oct 6 Science, technology, and social groups Week 6 Oct 13 Mid-term Week 7 Oct 20 Science, technology, and the global world Week 8 Oct 27 Science, technology, and states Week 9 Nov 3 Technological design and politics Week 10 Nov 10 Reproductive technologies, politics, and culture Week 11 Nov 17 New genetics, publics, and public science Week 12 Nov 24 Computers, users, and ethics Week 13 Dec. 1 Revision and preparing for the final exam Week 14 TBA Final Exam VI. DOCUMENTS I will post documents on WebCT for your reference so please check it every week. 4
DETAILED READING SCHEDULE (The readings listed below are to be read for that week (except, of course, Week 1). Additional materials may be assigned or substituted later in the semester.) PART 1 THINKING ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WEEK 1 SEPT 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE Why should we study science and technology in society? READ: Ch. 2 McGinn; Suggested: Ch. 1 McGinn WEEK 2 SEPT 8: THINKING ABOUT SCIENCE S ROLE IN SOCIETY Studying science and technology as social productions and cultural practices Are there cultures of science? Or different styles of doing science? READ: Fujimura, Joan H., Transnational Genomics: Transgressing the Boundary between the Modern/West and the Premodern/East, in Roddy Reid and Sharon Traweek, eds. Doing Science + Culture: How Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies are Changing the Way We Look at Science and Medicine, New York: Routledge, 2000: 71-94; READ: Ch 2 Teich, How Society Shapes Technology by Robert Pool; Ch. 3 McGinn WEEK 3 SEPT 15: THINKING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY S ROLE IN SOCIETY Theories about science and technology in society; Models for studying technological innovations and scientific discovery; Questions concerning technology Is technology applied science? Does technology drive history? READ: Ch. 4 (pp. 51-61), Ch. 5 McGinn (72-96); Ch. 1 Teich, Does Improved Technology Mean Progress by Leo Marx PART II DECONSTRUCTING INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WEEK 4 SEPT 22: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND WORK What issues are raised for societies and individuals with increased automation and computers in the modern day workplace? READ: Ch. 6 McGinn; Ch. 4 Teich, Why I am not going to buy a computer? by Wendell Berry WEEK 5 OCT 6: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIAL GROUPS Gender, race, and ethnicity Are science and technology biased? Gendered? Is there a feminist science? READ: Ch. 7 McGinn; Ch. 13 Teich, Feminist perspectives on technology by Judy Wajcman; Strongly suggested reading: Ch. 12 Teich, Black Futurists in the Information Age by Timothy L. Jenkins WEEK 6 OCT 13: In class MID-TERM WEEK 7 OCT 20: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE GLOBAL WORLD From global to globalization What does Sardar mean by western science? How is the internet a global technology? a globalizing technology? Is there a difference? 5
READ: Ch. 12 McGinn; Ch. 11 Teich, Western colonization of the future by Ziauddin Sardar, Ch. 24 Teich, The Internet Under Siege by Lawrence Lessig WEEK 8 OCT 27: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND STATES Democracy(ies) attempt to tackle the science-technology-society issue How far can democratic approaches be extended to govern technology? Do you think Sclove goes too far? READ: Ch. 13, 14 McGinn; Ch. 10 Teich, Technological Politics As If Democracy Really Mattered by Richard Sclove PART III RECONSTRUCTING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY RELATIONSHIPS WEEK 9 NOV 3 : TECHNOLOGICAL DESIGN AND POLITICS Technology, design, and politics What are the two ways that Teich thinks that technologies have politics? Think of specific examples either in Hong Kong, abroad, or more generally? READ: Ch. 10 McGinn; Ch. 14 Teich, Do Artifacts have Politics? by Langdon Winner WEEK 10 NOV 10: REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, POLITICS, AND CULTURE On the politics of new reproductive technologies How can cultural studies help us think about the sc-tech-society relationship? What are some media representations of reproductive technologies in Hong Kong, in popular culture, in your schools? How do they represent women, families, children? READ: Ch. 4, Public Pregnancies by Anne Balsamo in her book, Technologies of the Gendered Body, Duke University Press, 1996. WEEK 11 NOV 17: THE NEW GENETICS, PUBLICS, AND PUBLIC SCIENCE Locating our roles in genetic productions in everyday life; expertise and public understanding and participation in scientific endeavors What do you think about human genomic databases and genetic medicine? What are some examples that genetics appears in popular culture in Hong Kong? Do you think people in Hong Kong would be opposed to a population database as many people in the United States are? Why or why not? READ: Ch. 17 Teich, T he Dark Side of the Genome by Robert A. Weinberg WEEK 12 NOV 24: COMPUTERS, USERS, AND ETHICS A case study on the new information technologies and computer ethics Who is responsible for science and their technologies? In the case of the new information technologies, especially the internet, how much do you think designers should be responsible? How much do you think users should be? How far do you think governments should regulate them? How far do you think any of these groups can? In the case of the internet, what does it even mean for users to take responsibility? Ch. 23 Teich, Computer Ethics by Tom Forester and Perry Morrison, Ch. 14 McGinn WEEK 13 DEC 1: Revision and preparation for the final exam 6