2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC3301 Science, Technology and Society

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Graeme Gooday / John Christie
Email: g.j.n.gooday@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisite qualifications

20 credits of Level 2 HPSC modules
OR 40 credits Level 2 HIST modules
OR 40 credits Level 2 COMM modules

This module is mutually exclusive with

HPSC3130 Science, Technology Society

Module replaces

HPSC3130 Science, Technology Society

This module is approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
i) explain and utilize some key theories of the science-technology-society relationship;
ii) articulate a detailed historical understanding of specific episodes in modern science and technology;
iii) demonstrate advanced skills in the socio-historical analysis of science and technology.

Syllabus

i) Key theories of the science-technology-society relationship:
Social construction of science and technology; actor-network theory; socio-technical systems; the science-communication circuit (experts, writers and readers); critical comparative evaluation of these theories.

ii) Key episodes to be chosen from histories of
Scientific and technical institutions; the Industrial Revolution; the rise of science and technology as public phenomena; science, technology and war; the rise of 'Big Science' using relevant primary and secondary sources.

iii) Advanced skills in the socio-historical analysis of science and technology;
Critical application of theories in i) to the key episodes in ii) to enable student to analyse the episodes from a range of scholarly perspectives and construct their own interpretations.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 11 x 1 hour;

Seminars: 8 x 1 hour.

Private study

3 hours reading per lecture: 33 hours;
4 hours reading per seminar: 32 hours;
Essay preparation: 30 hours;
Examination preparation: 30 hours;
Background reading: 56 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 x 2000 word assessed essay, to be submitted by middle of the semester and returned with comments to students by week 7/8.

Methods of assessment

1 x 2000 word assessed essay: 50% ;
1 x 2 hour examination at end of semester: 50%.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/09/2006

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