TI Courses

STS-101-01: Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

This course introduces students to the range of methodologies, epistemologies, topics, and concerns central to the field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS). How do scientific and technological concepts develop, take root, and evolve? What range of roles do scientists and engineers play as they interact and intersect with broader societies? How might scientific and technological practice and theory affect public planning and discourse? What are the social, political, anthropological, moral, religious, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of technoscience’s complex roles in human cultures and societies? These are some of the fundamental questions that we will explore together in this survey course, which is a team-taught class offered by four of Union College’s faculty members. During Fall term 2023, the course was lead by Prof. Andrew Burkett (English), Prof. Sohini Chattopadhyay (History), Prof. Angela Commito (Classics), and Prof. Nick Webb (Computer Science). Prof. Jennifer Currey (Biomedical Engineering) served as the annual STS guest lecturer for the course.

STS-101 fulfills the Global Challenges (GC) Area of Inquiry and the Cultural and Historical Foundations (CHF) and Engineering, Technology, and Society (ETS) Perspectives of the new General Education curriculum. Through key texts, case studies, and approaches, the course examines contemporary and emerging societal issues presented by developments in technology and science, while also probing the historical, philosophical, and theoretical backgrounds and trajectories of such global challenges. Students gain an historical perspective on contemporary beliefs and practices related to science and technology studies. The course also explores how technological and scientific developments are culturally embedded and have varied impacts on different societies, communities, and individuals. Students analyze the origins of technological solutions, how they work, and how they interact with human societies, shape scientific methods, and influence human interactions with the environment. Additionally, students understand the engineering design process and intentional and unintentional consequences of such topics and areas as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with hands-on exercises. STS-101 is now offered annually each Fall term by multiple faculty members from across the College’s four divisions, with at least two faculty always present in the classroom.