SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

COURSE OUTLINE

WHAT IS STS? (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY)

Science, Technology and Society is an interdisciplinary GE course that examines past, present and future
of science and technology in society (including their nature, scope, role and function) and the social,
cultural, political, economic and environmental factors affecting the development of science and
technology, with emphasis on the Philippine setting.

As the 21st century is deeply influenced by science and technology and society is constructed as well as,
constructs technology, STS is considered a capstone GE offering: as an interdisciplinary field it brings the
students to a full circle of exploring and appreciating, seeing diverse perspectives and being able to make
connections, and critical thinking and ethical acting on the multidimensional ways science and technology
shape values, culture, and institutions, and vice versa.

STS will make good use of local and practical examples to dissect and illustrate the two-way influence of
science and technology with society.

There are four main themes in STS:

1. Science history, society and philosophy

2. Science in daily life
3. Science and other disciplines
4. Science and technology in national development

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of this course, the student should be able to

1. Explain the creative processes of science and technology
2. Relate science to other disciplines and cultures
3. Discuss the influences of past and current scientific and technological developments on Philippine
and global society
4. Analyze the societal influences on developments in science and technology at the local and global
settings
5. Evaluate the roles of science and technology in Philippine regional and national development.
6. Examine and critique STS issues and commit to a stand or an action.

COURSE OUTLINE

Course Outline:
I. Overview ( 9 hours)

A. Historical antecedents where social considerations changed the course of science and
technology
1. In the World: Ancient, Middle and Modern Ages
1. In the Philippines
B. Intellectual revolutions that defined society
1. Copernican
 2. Darwinian
3. Freudian
4. Information
5. Meso-American
6. Asian
7. Middle East
8. African
C. Frameworks and paradigms of/in S & T

Learning Outcomes

Describe the interactions between S&T and society throughout history;

Identify the paradigm shifts in history that have shaped science and technology
Identify the different ways of looking at and theorizing S&T

II. Interaction of Science, Technology, and Society through time (24 hours)

A. Science in Art and culture;

B. Science in Everyday Life (food prep and preservation, transportation,
communication, health and wellness, leisure and recreation.
C. Dynamics of Science, Technology and Society
1. The Arts (Visual, Fine Arts, etc.)
2. Health, Wellness and Aesthetics (nutrition, cosmetics, etc.)
3. Sports and recreation
4. Industry, Agriculture, Fisheries and Commerce
5. Policy and governance
6. Techno culture
7. Environment
8. Information and Communication
9. Infrastructure
10. Space Exploration
11. Conflict situation (warfare, security, surveillance, etc.)
12. Energy
13. Religion
14. Disciplines of knowledge (reshaping disciplinal domains and knowledge
cultures)

Learning Outcomes
To familiarize the students with the different aspects (social, political, economic, cultural,
environmental) and impacts of science, technology and society;
To cite and discuss cases or examples of promises and challenges of S & T on society;
To evaluate and recommend appropriate responses to STS problems and issues

III. Science and Technology in National Development ( 9 hours)

A. The Philippine Government S&T Agenda
B. Major development programs and personalities in S&T in the Philippines
C. Science education in the Philippines
D. Brain drain versus brain circulation: migration of scientists
E. Selected indigenous science and technologies
Learning Outcomes
Examine programs, communities and individuals involved in regional, national and international
S&T development
Discuss the influences of past and current scientific and technological developments on the global
human society and on the Filipino society;
Analyze the societal influences on developments in science and technology at the global and local
perspectives
Assess and evaluate the roles of science and technology in Philippine national development; and
Allow the students to actively and critically engage in understanding the dynamics of STS.

IV. Contemporary Issues and Future Developments in Science, Technology and Society (6 hours)
Suggested Topics:
1. The valuation of technology
2. Dealing with technological change:
3. blurring the distinction between reality and virtuality;
4. blurring of the distinction between human, machine and nature;
5. the reversal from information scarcity to information abundance;
6. the shift from primacy of entities to the primacy of interactions
7. The shift of knowledge production from the university to other institutions
(e.g. corporations, non-governmental institutions)

Learning Outcomes
Enable the student to examine Philippine S & T and explore various stands or actions
References and Resources:

REQUIREMENTS

Two examinations (1 midterm, 1 prefinal) 50 points each, total 100

Quizzes 10 points each
Reaction papers/essays 10 points each
Class presentations 50 points each

Points will be added and the grade will be based on the percentage of the final total of points as per the
requirements of the course

GRADING SYSTEM: 1.0 = 100-96%

1.25 = 95-91%
1.5 = 90-86%
1.75 = 85-81%
2.0 = 80-76%
2.25 = 76-71%
2.5 = 70-66%
2.75 = 65-61%
3.0 = 60%
CLASS MANAGEMENT

1. Come to class early.

2. Always sign the attendance sheet
3. No eating or drinking in the auditorium
4. Cheating will be dealt with strictly.