College of Arts and Letters
 

Science & Technology Studies


HHS 309    Newton and the Scientific Revolution   (3-0-3)
A study of the life and works of Sir Isaac Newton. Attention focuses on the scientific, philosophical and religious background of Newton, on his biography, and on his work. Newton's Principia and Opticks will be read.

HHS 310    Social History of Science   (3-0-3)
This course analyzes science as a social entity. The connections between science and society are studied in the first instance through a historical survey of the externals of science, i.e., the non-cognitive social, institutional and professional dimensions of the scientific enterprise. On a case-study basis, the course proceeds to investigate more theoretical problems concerning relations between scientific knowledge and social structure, particularly as interpreted in the Strong Program of the Sociology of Knowledge. Students complete individual projects arising out of themes developed in class.

HHS 311    Science and Society in the Twentieth Century   (3-0-3)
An examination of the historical process whereby the scientific enterprise became a central concern of the state in modern industrial societies.

HHS 312    Technology and Society in America
This course surveys the origins and significance of technological developments in American history form the first settlements to the present. It emphasizes the social, cultural, political and economic significance of technology in American history.

HHS 361    Galileo and the Scientific Revolution   (3-0-3)
An in-depth study of the career of Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and his place in seventeenth century science.

HHS 363    Darwin and the Darwinian Revolution

HHS 369    Studies in the Scientific Revolution   (3-0-3)
An analysis of the intellectual and methodological transformations of sixteenth and seventeenth century science and the development of the modern world view. This course focuses on the major scientific figures of the age (Galileo, Descartes, Newton) with particular attention to the study of original texts. The social and institutional transformations of science in this period are also considered.

HSS 371    Computers and Society
An introduction to arguments about the relationship between computing and society, the impact of computing activities on social relationships, and the evolution of institutions to regulate computer-mediated activities.

HSS 380    Energy, Politics and Administration

HHS 397    Historical Materialism   (3-0-3)
A survey of various attempts to base historical explanations on material conditions -- microbes and disease, nutritional requirements, agriculture, climate, geography, genes and technical and economic constraints and opportunities.

HHS 414    Industrial America
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the United States was fundamentally transformed. This course examines the nation’s genesis as an industrial and economic power and society’s adaptation to the industrial age. It also considers the impact of industrialism on such historical problems as technological change, economic development, race and gender relations, political participation, reform movements, urbanization, immigration, imperialism and globalization.

HSS 454    The Geography of Science

HHS 465    Engineering in History
This course is a social and cultural history of engineering. It examines the nature and the role of the engineer and engineering in western civilization, the emergence of engineering in Europe, the rise of the American engineering professions, the role of engineers in American society, as well as gender and ethical considerations and contemporary issues in the engineering profession.

HHS 479    Studies in the History of Technology

HSS 488    Science and Human Nature   (3-0-3)
An introduction to recent Darwinian and sociobiological theories of human nature.

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