- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Science and Technology Studies (STS)
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
Should we cycle to uni instead of driving because of climate change? Why are some people concerned about the health risks of mobile phones whilst others see them as a safe and essential way of communicating? What are the issues with using genetic testing to select for particular traits in future children? Science and Technology Studies (STS) provides you with the tools to answer some of these questions and many more. In STS you can study everything from Galileo's conflict with the Church over his sun-centred theory of the cosmos to international law relating to biotechnology regulation and policy responses to climate change.
Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary program that covers:
- History & philosophy of science, technology & medicine;
- Sociology of science & technology;
- Science & technology policy;
- Environmental history & sociology.
STS's emphasis on building critical analytical skills from an interdisciplinary base is widely recognised by international bodies involved in governance, regulation and policy development as providing graduates with invaluable knowledge and experience for addressing the many complex real-world problems facing humanity in the 21st century. The mix of policy-relevant skills and contextual knowledge about science, technology and the environment to which STS graduates are exposed makes them highly employable upon completion of their degrees.
Whether you are enrolled in an Arts, Science, Engineering, Education or Commerce degree, you can do a minor in STS and get credit points toward your degree program.
Students enrolled in either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree can pursue STS as a single major or in combination with another major.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate key concepts from Science and Technology Studies that have contributed to research in its various sub-fields and how they are relevant to other areas of study;
- Exercise critical thinking and judgment to generate solutions to a range of problems in science and technology policy and decision-making processes;
- Create coherent analytical narratives which engage with key contemporary theories in Science and Technology Studies and related fields of study.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Science and Technology Studies consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | |||
| Select ONE from the following: | |||
| STS 100 | Knowledge, Culture & Social Change: Science, Technology & Society | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 112 | The Scientific Revolution | 6 | Spring |
| Plus: | |||
| STS 209 | Sociology of Knowledge: Theories, methods & practices in the sciences | 6 | Spring |
| STS 251 | Social Aspects of Genetics and Biotechnology | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 303 | Social Policy, Innovation & Politics | 6 | Spring First offered 2018 |
| STS 304 | Body Politics: Contemporary Issues in Social Science & Medicine | 6 | Spring First offered 2018 |
| STS 302 | Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures (Capstone) | 6 | Autumn/Spring First offered 2018 |
| Plus at least TWO from the following, ONE of these must be 300 level: | |||
| STS 216 | Environmental Sociology & Politics | 6 | Spring |
| STS 286 | Risk, Media and Communication | 6 | Autumn |
| STS 307 | Research Topics in Science and Technology Studies | 6 | Autumn, Spring First offered 2018 |
| SOC 234 | Social Research Methods | 6 | Autumn First offered 2017 |
| SOC 329 | Social Transformation | 6 | Spring First offered 2018 |
| CST 244 | Cultural Investigations | 6 | Autumn First offered 2017 |
| CST 361 | Cultures of Gender, Sex and Sexuality | 6 | Autumn First offered 2018 |
| POL 309 | Global Political Economy | 6 | Spring First offered 2018 |
Minor Study
A minor in Science and Technology Studies is available and consists of at least 24 credit points from the schedule of the major. The minor includes two subjects at 200 level or higher and must include at least three STS subjects.
Honours
Credit Arrangements
Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.
Other Information
Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au