Courses

STSS 591: STSS in Action (2 credits)

David Ribes
Fridays, 1:30-3:20 pm, DEMN 210

Provides an advanced introduction to science, technology, and society studies. Includes topics of active research interest in history and philosophy of science; social studies of science; science and technology policy; and ethics and equity issues.

COM 539: Theories of Technology and Society  (5 credits)

Adrienne Russell
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 am-12:20 pm, CMU 242

Provides a theoretical foundation for study in the area of communication technology and society by examining different contemporary theories of the social, political, and cultural implications of technological change. Takes a broad view of theories of communication innovations, tools, and technologies – including historical, critical, and comparative approaches.

URBAN 555*:
Urban Narratives, Storytelling, and Governance (3 credits)

Helen Pineo; hspineo@uw.edu
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-4:50 pm, Fishery Sciences Bldg 108

Stories and narratives are pivotal in urban discourses because they are seen as powerful motivators of change and constitutive of our urban future. This course considers the theoretical underpinning of stories and narrative as core modes of communication in urban governance, alongside diverse ways that storytelling occurs. Lectures and class activities will consider whose perspectives shape dominant urban narratives, looking at examples of where and how the counter-narratives of marginalized groups have disrupted existing governance structures and tools. Students will explore multiple forms of stories and narratives, develop skills to analyze narratives and consider how they are leveraged as persuasive artifacts to change mindsets and policy. Short syllabus available online.

*Note that the course is offered on the Winter 2026 timetable as URBAN 598. This course just received a permanent course number (URBAN 555), but this is not yet reflected on the timetable.

B H 544, PHG 544: Ethical Implications of Emerging Biotechnology (3 credits)

Stephanie Malia Fullerton
Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4:20 pm, Health Sciences Bldg

Scientific and technological innovation in biomedicine is advancing at breakneck speed, with exciting new developments ranging from precision medicine to gene editing to regenerative medicine being reported on a near-daily basis. These emerging technologies and their application to disease prevention, treatment, and enhancement promise an array of individual and societal benefits; they also raise concerns related to the genetic manipulation of future generations, the automation of healthcare and medical decision‐making, and the extension of human lifespan, AND, as the last several years have reminded us, no matter how good the science, biotechnology is subject to the effects of broader sociopolitical and historical phenomena. This course will introduce students to select biomedical innovations and invite sustained consideration of the diverse ethical and social implications surrounding their development and potential use.

PHIL 560: Philosophy of Science (5 credits)

Carole J. Lee
Wednesdays and Fridays 12:30-2:20 pm, location TBD

Course description TBA.

PHIL 482: Philosophy of Physics (5 Credits)

Benjamin H. Feintzeig
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8:30 am-9:50 pm, location TBD

The topic of this course will be Probability and Determinism in Quantum Mechanics. Quantum mechanics is our best physical theory of the constitution of matter, but infamously it only gives probabilistic predictions. Instead of telling us exactly where an electron is, quantum mechanics can only say, for example, that the electron will be located here with probability one half. In this class, we’ll ask how one should interpret the probabilistic statements of quantum mechanics. Could our probabilistic predictions about the electron signify a mere lack of knowledge about where the electron is? Could we find a better theory of the electron with more information, or hidden variables, that allows us to predict where the electron is with certainty? We’ll discuss a number of famous mathematical results, including Bell’s theorem and the Kochen-Specker theorem, that are sometimes interpreted as showing that the answer is “no”— quantum mechanics is inherently indeterministic. This course will use mathematical methods: students will be asked to write mathematical proofs using the theory of probability. However, no background in mathematics or physics is assumed or required. 

CSSS 594 / SOC 590 (Special Topics): Power, Privilege, and Statistics

Sasha Johfre
Wednesdays, 1:30 – 4:20 pm, Location TBD

Quantitative methods can be rigorous and beautiful ways to learn about the social world. Yet, the positioning of statistical analysis as the epitome of discovery is based on inaccurate understandings of social and scientific processes. This PhD-level course contextualizes contemporary statistical methods within broader epistemological and sociological perspectives on ways to learn about and change the social world. Students in this class will gain literacy in conducting and evaluating research in more socially and scientifically responsible ways. Prereq: SOC 504 or equivalent. Interested? Register for CSSS 594 or SOC 590, or contact Sasha Johfre at sjohfre@uw.edu.

PHIL 560: Seminar in Philosophy of Science (5 Credits)

Benjamin H. Feintzeig
Thursdays 3:30-5:20 pm, location TBD

TBD, likely philosophy of probability.

MCB 543: Logic Constructs and Methodologies of Biological Research (3 credits)

Sandra Bajjalieh
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:15 pm, TBD

Logic Constructs and Methodologies of Biological Research is a guided reading, lecture, and discussion course that covers the history and philosophy of Western science, logical approaches to information, the sociology of science & concept of a paradigm, inborn errors of cognition and judgement that hinder the interpretation of data, the use of statistical tools & the crisis of reproducibility, how to choose and develop a scientific program, models of scientific funding, and factors that contribute to an environment of discovery.