Exciting Lineup of Graduate Classes for Fall 2021
Posted March 22, 2021
HSOC will be offering a number of interesting classes in fall 2021, including social theory, the sociology of science, and courses on STS and Biomedicine.
HTS 6001: Social Theory, Professor Kate Pride Brown
Tuesday, 5-7:45 p.m.
This graduate course in social theory introduces students to some of the core thinkers in classical and contemporary social thought. The course teaches a genealogy of evolving ideas and perspectives about what society is, what it does, and how it should be studied. We will be reading and discussing original texts by great minds, past and present, and offering students conversance in theoretical ideas that continue to shape scholarly discourse.
HTS 6115: Sociology of Science, Professor Willie Pearson
Wednesday, 5-7:45 p.m.
Sociology of science investigates science as a social activity that takes place in a social context. There is a bi-directional relationship between science and society: science is influenced by society, and society is influenced by science. This course explores the (1) complex interactions between science and society, (2) processes by which scientists construct facts, (3) nature and autonomy of science, and (4) comparisons with other social institutions. The course will provide a brief socio-historical perspective of the field before examining selective controversies, such as climate change, vaccines, environmental justice, scientific racism, US scientific and engineering workforce, and inequality. Although the course has sociology as its primary disciplinary focus, it draws on other disciplines as well.
HTS 6123: Social and Cultural Studies of Biomedicine, Professor Jennifer Singh
Thursday, 5-7:45 p.m.
This course is a graduate seminar that explores current scholarship in the social and cultural studies of science, technology, and biomedicine in the 21st century. Although many of the themes addressed have a long history, the emphasis will be on recent interdisciplinary science and technology studies scholarship of current conditions, drawing together work in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and related fields. Objects of attention range in scale from molecules to bodies to environments of risk, and the texts for this course attend to diverse contexts of laboratory practices, clinical encounters, scientific research, and broader social debates.
HTS/LMC/PUBPOL 6743: Science, Technology and Society: Core Seminar, Professor Robert Rosenberger
Monday, 6:30-9:15
The STS Core Seminar serves as an introduction to the content and themes of the field of Science & Technology Studies and its various connections to work around the university. We survey important texts and figures across this field and read concrete case studies regarding the social situatedness of science and technological development. The course structurally involves weekly guest lectures from Georgia Tech faculty from a variety of disciplinary perspectives who share their special perspective on this field of study. Coursework includes written reactions to course readings, class discussion, and a final paper that can be potentially related to students’ own ongoing interests and work.