This course is open only to students enrolled in the Master PSTS .
In case you, as a student from another master’s programme, would like to participate in this course, please contact the PSTS staff: c.j.beukes@utwente.nl or m.e.tijhuis@utwente.nl
The course connects to the final qualifications K1, K2, K3, K5, S1-S2 of the PSTS programme.
At the end of the course, students will be able to critically engage with key texts in the field history of science and technology. Critical engagement entails at least three different elements: first of all students will learn to identify lines of argument and evaluate the validity of claims in scientific papers. Second, students will learn how to formulate relevant questions in relation to the assigned texts. Third, students will get acquainted with different strategies to develop a position and line of argument not only in the context of in-class discussions but also in the context of the two written assignments. This includes extra writing training with a special focus on the composition of paragraphs and sections in essays.
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Despite the official title, this course is not so much a course in history as it is a course that examines the various ways in which the history of science and technology have been and can be structured and portrayed. The goal for students is two-fold: [1] to develop a sensitivity to how all interpretations - historical, sociological and philosophical - of "science, technology and society" are colored by the contexts in which they are constructed and [2] to develop a sensitivity to the historical - as opposed to absolute - nature of normative judgments.
In order to achieve these goals, students are asked to read a weekly set of assigned texts (see instructions on the Assignments page on Canvas) and come to class prepared to relate the texts to the corresponding week's theme. Please note that attendance and active participation are mandatory. Students are also asked to write two short essays that call on them to relate course readings to a larger theme that draws on course discussions. (See Assignments page on Canvas for details). Assessment criteria for participation are: First, that all reading is done in a timely and critical manner. Second, that students come to class (attendance is, of course, mandatory) with their texts, notes, questions and comments, prepared to discuss them and the week's topic. Third, that this participation moves in-class discussion forward toward a critical understanding in relation to the weekly and course themes.
Teaching methods:
Lectures and workshops. Attendance is obligatory
Skills:
In particular the workshops will be used to develop argumentation, writing and verbal communication skills. Students will learn to critically engage with key texts in the field history of science and technology. Critical engagement entails at least three different elements: first of all students will learn to identify lines of argument and evaluate the validity of claims in scientific papers. Second, students will learn how to formulate relevant questions in relation to the assigned texts. Third, students will get acquainted with different strategies to develop a position and line of argument not only in the context of in-class discussions but also in the context of the two written assignments. This includes extra writing training with a special focus on the composition of paragraphs and sections in essays.
Assessment:
Grading will be assessed as follows:
Essay #1........................................ 40%
Essay #2........................................ 50%
Informed Participation ........... ..... 10%
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