History of Science, Medicine, and Technology

In this humanities-based, interdisciplinary subject, you’ll become aware of the historical roots of our culture and others in reference to the development of science, medicine, and technology. Our courses reinforce and illustrate that science is not merely the manipulation of laws and rules, but a human activity. You’ll take away an appreciation of the value of humanistic study and apply it to modern-day problem-solving.

CLASSES YOU MIGHT TAKE

Technology and Environment in Japanese Films and Anime

We’ll watch Japanese films and animation that touch upon topics of technology and environment. The list of screenings includes several blockbusters, classics in film studies, and documentaries.

Commercializing Science: Academic Entrepreneurs from Kelvin to Venter.

From the 19th century physicist William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) to contemporary geneticists, academic scientists, and engineers across disciplines have commercialized academic knowledge and inventions as patentees, consultants, and entrepreneurs. This course examines the motives and strategies behind such commercialization activities, ethical issues associated with them, and the factors influencing their success.

Non-Human Agency in Science, Medicine, and Technology Studies

Studies of non-humans repeatedly challenge the assumption that agency is an exclusively human prerogative. We ask what is the relationship between anthropomorphization and agency? What does our attribution of agency to objects say about our understanding of agency as an analytical category? How do we integrate non-humans into our investigation of human activity?

Faculty Spotlight

PROF. Yulia Frumer

Associate Professor, Department of Science and Technology

Plays Well With Humans

In the not-too-distant future, robots might assist us at home, school, hospitals, and workplaces. Roboticists and ethicists want to ensure they do so effectively and help rather than hurt—even if it’s just our feelings.

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