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Foundations of Science, Technology and Society (STS)
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:35
Abstract
Environmental changes, AI, access to medicines and the impact of social media, show that the problems of our time are simultaneously scientific and social, technological and political, ethical and economic. Students are introduced to the field of Science, Technology and Society (STS) to analyze interactions of knowledge, culture, history and social factors in the make-up of contemporary societies.
Objective
Students learn conceptual, theoretical and methodological approaches from the field of Science, Technology and Society (STS) and how to apply these to issues of their area of study, research, and practice.
Content
The field of Science, Technology and Society (STS) inquires into how our knowledge and technology shape and are shaped by social, political, historic, economic, and other factors. This course surveys key STS concepts, frameworks, and methods to the cultural and social studies of science, technology, and society. It aims to support scholars interested in understanding and intervening responsibly in the complex socio-technical-scientific dynamics that make up contemporary collective life in societies around the world. Through analysis of a wide range of historical and contemporary case studies, including from environmental change, AI, transdisciplinary encounters, life science and biomedicine, the course will address questions such as: (i) What is the role of science and technology in contemporary societies? (ii) How are knowledge and technologies made and with what implications for different communities? (iii) What roles can diverse social actors (e.g. scientists, citizens, publics) play in the creation, diffusion, and utilization of knowledge and technologies? (iv) How are values embedded and acted upon in sociotechnical systems? Across these questions, we will pay attention to science and engineering as professions and vocations that inform how diverse social actors articulate their identities and visions of desirable futures. The case-study approach will offer participants a hands-on setting to experiment with concepts and methods to analyze diverse issues of science, technology, culture, and society. The course consists of discussions of selected readings (both foundational texts in STS and examples of recent scholarship), seminars by invited experts, and experiments with methods drawn from selected historical and contemporary case studies. By the end of the course students will be able to: 1) identify key STS concepts, theories and methods and know how to apply them to analyze diverse case studies; 2) critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of STS theories and methods and assess how they are deployed in specific contexts; 3) position STS in relation to areas of inquiry and methodologies of neighboring disciplines, including public policy, anthropology, history, and ethics, and; 4) engage and actively shape the relationship among science, technology and society in different areas of research and practice. In addition to reading and discussing foundational texts, students will become familiar with the criticism and debate surrounding key theoretical positions of STS today. The course is designed to provide ample opportunities for reflection and discussion on the theories and methods in STS, particularly as they relate to the course participants’ own research interests.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 20
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Foundations of Science, Technology and Society (STS) |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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Typ B: Reflexion über fachspezifische Methoden und Inhalte (Fachspezifische Lerneinheiten. Relevant für alle Studierenden, die sich für diese Kurse interessieren. Diese Lerneinheiten sind alle auch unter "Typ A" aufgelistet, d.h. die Einschreibung ist allen Studierenden möglich.)
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D-BSSE (Im Frühjahrssemester werden keine Lehrveranstaltungen angeboten.)
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