Science, Technology, and Society

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that studies:
(1) the conditions under which the production, distribution, and utilization of scientific knowledge and technological systems occur, and
(2) the consequences of these activities upon different groups of people.

The disciplines out of which STS emerged were the history and philosophy of science and technology, science and technology policy studies, and sociology, and these origins shape the primary modes of analysis in STS. More recently, anthropology, literary studies, and cultural history have all left their mark in fundamental ways on STS. The intercollegiate program brings together courses taught in a variety of departments. It is divided into three principal areas: History of Science and Technology, Philosophy of Science and Technology; and Political, Cultural, and Social Perspectives on Science and Technology. The latter covers such topics as national science policy, how science and technology affect people, and how computers affect society, as well as more specific subjects such as the Internet, pollution, and genetic engineering.

Students majoring in STS are well prepared to pursue graduate study in related field and also have a solid foundation for work as science journalists, policy researchers and advisors, science educators, and advocates of change around issues such as gender and science, renewable energy, and the social effects of the information revolution. In addition, STS is an excellent academic background for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, law, business, and education.

Students majoring in STS are well prepared to pursue graduate study in related field and also have a solid foundation for work as science journalists, policy researchers and advisers, science educators and advocates of change around issues such as gender and science, renewable energy and the social effects of the information revolution. In addition, STS is an excellent academic background for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, law, business and education.

Professor Richard Worthington (Pomona), Coordinator.

Pitzer advisers: J. Grabiner, B. Keeley, D. Segal, S. Snowiss, A. Wachtel; A. Wakefield, A. Zanella (Jt. Science).

Requirements for the Major

A. Core Courses in the three broad areas of STS:

  • 1. History of Science and Technology (two of the following): STS 80 (Science and Technology in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds); STS 81 (Science and Technology in the Early Modern World); STS 82 (Science and Technology in the Modern World).
  • 2. Philosophy of Science and Technology: (Normally be met by taking Phil 103.)
  • 3. Political, Cultural and Social Perspectives on Science and Technology (one course). This requirement will normally be met by STS 1 (Introduction to Science, Technology and Society); or STS 25 (Technology and People); or Politics 190 (Pomona); or HMC Anthropology 111 (Introduction to the Anthropology of Science and Technology).

B. All STS majors must take at least five (5) courses in sciences and mathematics, of which at least one must be a mathematics course at the level of first-semester calculus or higher (this requirement may be fulfilled by taking an advanced course in statistics or principles of computing). Three (3) of the remaining four (4) courses in the natural sciences (which may include physiological psychology) must be taken in one discipline and at least one must have a laboratory requirement. No more than two (2) Joint Science courses listed as "Natural Science" may be used in fulfillment of this requirement. In exceptional cases, sufficiently advanced mathematics courses may be substituted with the adviser's approval for any but the laboratory science course.

C. All STS majors must take at least five (5) additional STS courses. Three (3) of these must be chosen, after consultation with their advisers, within one of the three areas of STS, as defined in (A) and so that these courses provide depth of knowledge in a well-defined field. Two others may be in any area of STS and may include a senior thesis if elected by the student.

D. The final required course is the integrative seminar (STS 190), which is given in the fall of each year (all students must have completed the core courses before taking the seminar).

Minor: The minor in Science, Technology and Society will normally consist of seven courses, except for students majoring in science, mathematics, or computer science, for whom it will consist of six letter-graded courses.

Honors: Students who complete a thesis of honors quality will be recommended to the College for Honors if they will graduate with a GPA of at least 3.5 within the major and an overall GPA of at least 3.5. The thesis adviser and the Pitzer STS adviser will determine whether the thesis is of honors quality. If the thesis adviser is also the Pitzer adviser, then a second STS faculty reader will help determine whether the thesis is worthy of honors.

Science, Technology, and Society in the Pitzer College course catalog