At a Glance
I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?
STS examines the way in which science and technology are created by as well as influence, the cultural, social, and historical environments in which they are embedded. STS at its core is a humanistic and social scientific approach to understanding the cultural factors that shape scientific and technological change.
What are some courses appropriate for first year students interested in exploring this field of study?
The best course would be STS 10, an Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society, taught in the spring semester of each year. However, any class in the humanities or social sciences that deals with science will probably have an STS-influenced approach, and any class in the natural sciences will also help build a foundation for understanding the sociology and history of science.
Should I ultimately decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?
No; while the major and minor have more introductory and more specialized courses, there are no requirements for the order in which you take your courses.
Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major, for example, or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?
Absolutely! It’s certainly very possible to major or minor in both STS and a natural science, for example. Double majors, Dual Majors, and Major/Minor combinations are all possible with STS. Because it is an interdisciplinary field, it lends itself well to combination with other interests.
What other useful information should I know about this field of study?
The minor is six courses total, while the major contains eleven courses plus seminar and thesis for thirteen total.
Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:
Science, technology, and society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that studies (1) the conditions under which the production, distribution, and utilization of scientific knowledge and technological systems occur, and (2) the consequences of these activities upon different groups of people.
The disciplines out of which STS emerged were the history and philosophy of science and technology, science and technology policy studies, and sociology, and these origins shape the primary modes of analysis in STS. More recently, anthropology, literary studies, and cultural history have all left their mark in fundamental ways on STS.
The intercollegiate program brings together courses taught in a variety of departments. It is divided into three principal areas: history of science and technology; philosophy of science; and political, cultural, and social perspectives on science and technology. The latter covers such topics as national science policy, how science and technology affect people, and how computers affect society, as well as more specific subjects such as the internet, pollution, and genetic engineering.
Students majoring in STS are well prepared to pursue graduate study in related fields and also have a solid foundation for work as science journalists, policy researchers and advisers, science educators, and advocates of change around issues such as gender and science, renewable energy, and the social effects of the information revolution. In addition, STS is an excellent academic background for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, law, business, and education.
Scripps students interested in the STS major must have a Scripps faculty adviser, normally from a related social science, mathematics, literature, philosophy, or natural science. In addition, STS students should contact the STS Program Coordinator Laura Perini. These advisers will assist the student to establish a meaningful focus within the STS major and to choose appropriate courses. They will help to ensure that the required courses and general preparation are in place for the senior seminar, as well as help the student to secure the necessary readers for the senior thesis.