Georgia Tech’s Master of Science in History and Sociology of Technology and Science is a 30-credit hour program with core courses, electives, and an optional research paper. We offer two tracks in Technology and Science or Politics, Power, and Inequality.
The technology and science track explores technology and science from a historical and sociological perspective. The politics, power, and inequality track examines contemporary issues such as racial justice, urbanization, globalization, environmental change, and labor and workforce transitions.
Graduate courses typically meet one day per week for three hours in the late afternoon. Part-time studies are possible, and we welcome students continuing their education while working full-time.
Core Courses
Both M.S. tracks begin with four core courses covering central concepts and methods in history and sociology and key skills in research communication.
- Social Theory introduces key theoretical traditions in modern social theory, including both classical and contemporary works.
- History and Theory introduces key historical traditions and methodological approaches.
- Politics, Power, and Inequality explores different approaches to the study of politics, power, and inequality in history, sociology, and allied fields.
- Communicating Social and Historical Research teaches skills and strategies for effective written, oral, and visual communication of research and provides opportunities to experiment with different modes of delivery.
You must also choose one of the two following courses to satisfy your fifth core requirement. (However, you may also take both, with the second counting towards your electives.)
- Quantitative Methods in Social and Historical Research introduces statistical reasoning and trains students in methods and tools of quantitative research in the humanities and social sciences. This course may focus on skills such as data curation, linear regression analysis, or Geographic information system (GIS).
- Qualitative Methods in Social and Historical Research introduces approaches to qualitative research in the humanities and social sciences. This course may focus on skills such as archival research, oral history, interviewing, or ethnographic observation.
Electives
Both M.S. tracks require five electives from the history, technology, and society (HTS) courses offered by the School. Students in the Technology and Science track must take at least two from the subset of graduate courses focused on science, technology, environment, agriculture, and medicine. These include:
- Proseminar in the History of Technology
- Gender, Science, and Technology
- Technology and Modern Culture
- Studies in Science and Engineering
- Development, Science, and Technology
- Topics in the History of Science
- Sociology of Science and Technology
- Global Environmental History
- Science, Technology, and the Economy
- Inequality, Science, and Technology
- Science, Technology, and National Security
- Topics in History of Medicine
- Social and Cultural Studies of Biomedicine
- Science and Technology Beyond Borders
- Science, Technology & Society (STS): Core Seminar
Students in the Politics, Power, and Inequality track do not have a subject area restriction on their courses, but may be particularly interested in:
- Social and Political History of the United States
- Social and Political History of Europe
- Social and Political History of the Nonwestern World
- Business Organizations and Political Economy
- Urbanization
- Race and Ethnicity
Explore descriptions of our electives in the GT Course Catalog.
Up to 6 of these hours may be credit for independent study for your original research paper or directed readings with individual professors. You can also incorporate an internship or work experience into your degree through the existing Georgia Tech Graduate Internship Program.
Optional Research Opportunity
The M.S. in History and Sociology of Technology and Science includes an optional research opportunity to write a paper based on substantial original research, written at a standard suitable for publication in an academic journal.
If you choose to pursue the paper, the process is supervised by a School faculty member, who will read and approve it along with one other faculty member. You will also have opportunities to present it to your peers. Explore our faculty and filter by “professors” to explore potential advisors.
Examples of recent M.S. research papers include:
- Where Northside Dr. Meets North Ave: A Policy Discussion on the Atlanta Westside Tax Allocation District Policy
- Dueling Digital Cellular Technologies – the Divided Standard
- Sociology at the Intersection of Gender and Health: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are, Where We’re Going
- Uncertainty and Vulnerability of Global Assemblages of Innovations: Didi’s IPO Crisis
Dual Degree Options
Students on international visas and those preparing for Ph.D. programs often take advantage of Georgia Tech’s two-year dual-M.S. degree option. You can apply to any other graduate program at Georgia Tech with the benefit of already being enrolled.
This opens up opportunities to pursue a degree from Georgia Tech’s renowned College of Engineering or our Top 25 business school. You can also explore highly-ranked fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and environmental policy. Integrating insights from these programs can bring new perspectives, creativity, and depth to your work.
Advising
Graduate students in the School of History and Sociology are encouraged to meet with LaDonna Bowen, academic program manager for graduate studies, and Helen Anne Curry, director of graduate studies, to plan schedules, verify degree requirements, and develop an overall study plan. Advisors can also offer guidance about a variety of research and teaching opportunities.
The admissions deadline for the M.S. in History and Sociology of Technology and Science is Feb. 15. Students seeking financial assistance must submit their materials no later than Jan. 10. Apply via the Graduate Admissions website or contact Helen Anne Curry, director of graduate studies, for more information.
