Undergraduate Course: Technology in Society (RCSS08003)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | RCSS |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Technology in Society provides an introduction to one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas of academic inquiry ? the Social Study of Science and Technology. This is an area in which Edinburgh has longstanding strengths and which the course draws upon.
'Technology' is seen as one of the distinguishing characteristics of modern societies. The promotion of new technologies figures centrally in economic and industrial policy. In recent years there has been extensive debate and public discussion about the social implications of particular technologies for work, for the quality of life, for health and the environment. But what is technology? How does it arise? How does it affect us? Technology in Society explores these issues.
The overall aim of the course is to examine some of the different ways of analysing and understanding technology in society. It explores both the consequences of technical innovation for society and the ways technology is itself shaped by cultural, economic, political and organisational factors. We introduce a range of analytic perspectives on Technology in Society - drawing upon history, economics, and the sociologies of work, gender and science & technology themselves. We apply these to examine particular areas of technological activity including the workplace, the home, reproduction, and weapons technology.
Technology in Society reflects the interdisciplinary traditions of social studies of science. It is intended to appeal to students taking either social science or natural science programmes. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to develop a critical analysis of the mutual relationship between technology and society, exploring the ways in which technology is itself shaped by social and other factors as well as the effects of technology on society.
The student will become familiar with, and develop a critical understanding of, the main approaches to the socio-economic analysis of technology, and the ways in which these theories have been deployed to analyse various technological innovations in different settings (including industrial production, technology in the home, contraception, information technology, biotechnology and defence technologies, environmental technologies. |
Assessment Information
Assessment is based on coursework and an examination. Essay 1500-2000 words = 40%, Exam = 60% of total mark. You MUST pass the exam to pass the course.
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Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Technology Society Environment Socio-economic Information Technology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Robin Williams
Tel: (0131 6)50 6387
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs May Rutherford
Tel: (0131 6)50 3932
Email: |
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