AMST3313: Science, Techhnology and American Culture
OSU Tulsa Spring 2004
Course Description
| This class will provide an introduction to the cultural study of science and technology. We will examine how social and cultural norms condition the shape, focus, and effects of scientific and technological research and development. Our premise will be that the sciences do not exist independently of the societies within which they are situated, and they often reflect the “common sense” of those societies. For example, we know a lot about Charles Babbage, who developed the “analytical engine” that became the first computer, but almost nothing about Lady Ada (Byron) Lovelace who wrote the computer program that made that “engine” run. Why? Why, in the 1920s and 30s, were black men sacrificed in medical experiments to discover the disease progression of syphilis while their white counterparts were given treatment? Why were doctors so slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic in the early 1980s? Why are hackers always assumed to be young, white, and middle-class? Why is cloning framed as a religious issue in the US? And so on. If you are interested in learning about how the sciences influence society and vice versa, then this is the class for you! Evaluation for the course will consist of participation, 6 short Response Paper (out of possible 7 opportunities), and three take-home exams. |
Texts for the course will be a mixture of fiction and non-fiction, primary and secondary texts on subjects ranging from biotechnology to cyberpunk. All texts can be purchased at the OSU Tulsa bookstore.
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| Course Requirements Response Papers: You will write six 2-3 page response papers related to course readings and screenings. If you examine the Schedule of Readings, you’ll see that there are seven response papers currently assigned. YOU MAY CHOOSE WHICH SIX REPONSE PAPERS YOU WANT TO WRITE. You may complete the seventh response paper for extra credit if you choose but ONLY IF you have not accumulated more than one absence. Consult the Schedule of Readings for due dates and the Assignments folder of Blackboard for detailed instructions regarding each response paper. NO LATE RESPONSE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED EVER. Exams: You will have three take-home exams due at the end of each unit of study. Each exam will cover only the materials contained within that unit and will consist of a combination of vocabulary and essay questions. Consult the Schedule of Readings for due dates. Academic
Honesty: All work you turn in for this class must be
your own work. The unacknowledged use of another’s materials
(either words or ideas and including virtual discussions and web
pages) is called plagiarism. We will discuss how to avoid
plagiarism, including the proper citation of source materials.
Unintentional, or accidental, plagiarism will result in a failing
grade on that assignment. Intentional plagiarism will result
in a failing grade for the course and possible referral
to the Dean's office for disciplinary action. Consult OSU’s Code of Student
Conduct for more information. |
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Do all assigned reading before you come to class and be prepared to discuss with questions or comments in mind.
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Selections starred with an asterisk can be found in the Course Materials folder of Blackboard.