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.

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. 

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.