Science, Technology, and Society Course Number and Section: STS WFW Second Semester 2017-2018 Class Meeting Days and Times: Wednesdays & Fridays at 1:00-2:30 PM Location: College of Science (CS) Auditorium, University of the Philippines-Diliman Course Facilitator: Michelle Sotaridona Eusebio Email:
[email protected];
[email protected] Consultation Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays 3:00-5:00 PM (Please set an appointment before.) Office: Lecturers’ Hall, Albert Hall, Lakandula Street, University of the Philippines-Diliman Course Description: An exploration of the past, present and future of science and technology in society and the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors affecting their development, with special focus on the Philippines. Course Goal: To critically explore the interrelationships of science and technology with other disciplines and cultures as well as their creative processes; and the interaction and dynamics of science, technology, and society towards national development in the Philippines. Methods: Class lectures, discussions and other in-class activities, research project supervision, documentary viewing, public lectures, etc. Strategies for doing well in this course and a successful semester: ✓ Do the assignments [may include reading(s)] for the day. ✓ Attend and participate in the classes. ✓ Pay attention and take notes in class. ✓ Ask questions. There is no “stupid” question. ✓ Follow instructions for assignments, exams, and other class outputs. ✓ Submit assignment(s) on time. ✓ Do not hesitate to contact your instructor via email or to stop by during her office hours for consultation. ✓ Be willing to critically rethink what or think you know based on various perspectives. ✓ Do think ahead. The best scientists try to predict what will happen based on the information they already have and the new facts they are learning. Students will be graded through the following: In-Class Activities (30%): Students in groups of ~10 will have in-class activities related to the class discussion at various points in the semester. There will be no right and wrong answers, since the goals are to express ideas and develop critical thinking skills. Thus, full points will be usually given for those who have participated. Each activity is worth a minimum of 5 points. [Total Points: 90] Research Project on “Excavate an Agency/Department” with paper and presentation (25%): Students in groups of ~10 will submit a minimum of 10-page (main text) research paper on a chosen department or agency in the Philippines and present their project summary for ten minutes. Further details will be provided in the class. [Total Points: 75] Exam 1 (15%): [Total Points: 45] Exam 2 (20%): [Total Points: 60] Other Assignments/Tasks and Class Participation (10%): [Total Points: 30] Total (100%): [300 points] 1
Course Grading Scale: 1.00 = 96-100% 1.25 = 91-95% 1.50 = 86-90% 1.75 = 81-85% 2.00 = 76-80% 2.25 = 71-75%
2.50 = 66-70% 2.75 = 61-65% 3.00 = 56-60% 4.00 = 5l-55% 5.00 = 50% and below Inc. = Incomplete
Grade Dispute Policy: Students have an allowance of 48 hours or two days after the grades are posted to discuss concerns about their grades on assignments and exams. Please contact the instructor within the allowance given; otherwise, all grades are undisputedly final. Extra Credit Opportunities (These are optional!): You have opportunities to earn up to 30 extra points (10%) by doing one or both of the following: 1. Attend one talk/lecture/seminar related to this course within UP and NCR and write a reaction/reflection/review paper (summary and insights, maximum of three pages) about it. Due on May 21, 2018 (15 points = 5%). 2. Three-minute thesis (for those graduating or in their thesis research stage) or STS related topic of interest (for those not into thesis research yet) on April 20, 2018. NOTE: Only the first 20 volunteers will be accommodated for this opportunity. Directly contact your course facilitator as soon as possible if you intend to volunteer (15 points = 5%). Format for Papers (should be submitted as word file and print): Font style and size: Arial or Times New Roman 12; or Calisto 11.5 First line in first page: Name (e.g., Hedy Lamarr) Second line: Student Number (2014-xxxxx) Third line: Course Number and Section (STS WFW) Fourth line: Type of assignment (e.g., Reaction paper) Spacing for the main text (align left) preceded by the title (center) of the paper: 1.5 or 2.0 Spacing and format for references: Single spaced and SAA citation style (pp. 21-25 & 31-40 of http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA%20Style%20Guide_Final_6-5-17.pdf). Both in reference lists or bibliography and in-text citations. Please include page numbers. Note: Please include your surnames in the file names of the digital versions of your papers. For example, LAMARR_STS_ReactionPaperHollywood&Wifi. Make-up Policy: Make-up work will be administered for students who miss the regularly scheduled exam and other activities due to a University approved excused absence such as illness, serious family emergencies, religious holidays, court-imposed legal obligations, and participation in official university activities. Documentation (doctor’s note, etc.) is required to substantiate your absence. Attendance Policy: Attendance for this course is highly encouraged. If you arrived 15 minutes after official class time, you are late. If you arrived 30 minutes after official class time, you are absent. Student Conduct: All students must comply with the Student Conduct Code which can found at http://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2012-Code-of-Student-Conduct.pdf. Any behavior 2
that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to benefit from the instructional program will not be tolerated. Please turn off (or switch to silent mode) cell phones and all other electronic devices before and during class. Texting or talking on cell phones, communicating via social media, and internet surfing during class are not allowed. Laptops may only be used to take notes. Disruptive students will be asked to leave. E-mail etiquette: The syllabus, announcements, instructions, and additional relevant materials will be emailed by the instructor to the students through their provided email addresses. When contacting your instructor, email is the best option. Please use your provided email address for all communications. When communicating to your instructor: ✓ Expect me to respond to emails between 10 am and 5 pm on Monday through Friday with a 24-hour lag time. ✓ However, before sending your questions through your email, ensure that the answers are not found in this course syllabus. ✓ Be specific about the subject of the email in the mail subject heading and be polite. Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. As a registered student in this course and at the University of the Philippines, you have agreed to the following statement: “I understand that the University of the Philippines expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University.” If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating on exams or assignments, you will receive an automatic zero and will be referred to University administration for disciplinary action. Class Schedule and Topics: Disclaimer: This schedule is subject to change if the need arises. Week and Days Topics Week 1 Jan. 17/Wednesday Jan. 19/Friday
Class Introduction and Organization
Week 2 I. Jan. 24/ Wednesday Jan. 26/Friday Week 3 Jan. 31/Wednesday Feb. 2/Friday Week 4 Feb. 7/Wednesday Feb. 9/Friday Week 5 Feb. 14/Wednesday Feb. 16/Friday – Holiday: Chinese New Year! Week 6 Feb. 21/Wednesday Feb. 23/Friday Week 7 Feb. 28/Wednesday
Overview and History and Philosophy of Science A. Introduction to Science, Technology and Society and its theories B. The Needham Question: STS theory and the history of science C. Historical antecedents: social considerations that changed the course of science and technology – World and the Philippines D. Paradigm Shifts and Scientific Revolutions E. Other Possible Topics if Time Allows II. The cultural aspects of science and technology A. Science in Art and Culture. B. Science in Everyday Life in history. C. Technocultures: How cultural systems and technologies interact and shape each other profoundly? D. Ethnoscience and ethnomathematics
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Mar. 2/Friday Week 8 Mar. 7/Wednesday Mar. 9/Friday Week 9 Mar. 14/Wednesday Mar. 16/Friday Week 10 Mar. 21/Wednesday Mar. 23/Friday
Exam 1 III. Dynamics and interactions of contemporary Science and Technology with Culture and Society
IV. Science, development and policy A. Importance of science policy and governance in development B. Philippine science and development policies from the colonial period to the present C. Priority areas in science and technology development policies and programs D. Post-normal science in international science policy and advice Apr. 20/Friday Science education and communication: Three-minute thesis/STS relevant topic of interest presentations (20 volunteers only). Week 14 V. Contemporary Issues and Future Developments in Science, Apr. 25/Wednesday Technology and Society (may cover at least four topics) Apr. 27/Friday A. The valuation of technology (social, economic and cultural) Week 15 B. Dealing with technological change: May 2/Wednesday 1. The person in a digital society May 4/Friday 2. Information and digital divides 3. The shift from primacy of entities to the primacy of interactions C. The shift of knowledge production from the university to other institutions (e.g. corporations, non-governmental institutions) D. Social and digital media and their epistemologies (e.g., alternative facts) E. Pseudoscience and science denial F. Scientific integrity and ethics G. Big data and privacy H. The future of STS as a knowledge discipline in the Philippines I. Other relevant topics Week 16 Research Project Presentations May 9/Wed May 11/Friday May 16/Wed Exam 2 May 18/Friday Research Project Paper Due May 21/Monday Extra Credit Reaction/Reflection/Review Paper Due Week 11 Apr. 4/Wednesday Apr. 6/Friday Week 12 Apr. 11/Wednesday Apr. 13/Friday Week 13 Apr. 18/Wednesday
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