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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title
Module Code
School
Online Module Resources

Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Padraig Murphy
Semester 2: Padraig Murphy
Autumn: Padraig Murphy
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description
This modules examines the changing roles of science and technology in society. It assesses the impacts and implications of developments in science and technology for society. It aims to develop students' understanding of the ways in which knowledge is produced and reproduced and to encourage their reflection on interactions between science and technology and other intellectual and social pursuits.

Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the basic principles of scientific methods of work
2. Describe major developments in social and historical studies of science and technology
3. Explain ethical and other social issues arising from selected developments in science and technology
4. Identify social factors shaping development and adoption of new technologies



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Seminars11No Description
Lecture22No Description
Assignment90No Description
Independent learning135No Description
Total Workload: 258

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities
What is science?.
Paradigms and conceptual frameworks in science.

Basic concepts of sociology of science.
Recent developments in social studies of science.

Changing industrial and political contexts of science and technology.
Science, arts and humanities - two cultures or more?.

Science and technology in the media.
Ethical issues in contemporary science.

Public attitudes to and public engagement with science and technology.
Social construction of technology and technological determinism.

Socio-technical change - case studies from media technologies.
Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Short answer questionsExplanation of key terms in social and historical studies of science and technology30%Week 7
EssayCritical analysis of selected issues in social appropriation of science and technology70%Sem 2 End
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category
Indicative Reading List
  • J. Ravetz: 2006, No-Nonsense Guide to Science, New Internationalist,
  • M. Bucchi: 2002, Science in society, Routledge,
  • A. F. Chalmers: 1999, What is this thing called science?, 3rd edition, selected chapters, Oxford University Press,
  • B. Goldacre: 2009, Bad science, Harper,
  • C. P. Snow: 1993, The Two Cultures, Cambridge University Press,
  • W. Bijker: 1997, Of bicycles, bakelites and bulbs, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass,
  • B. Bryson: 2004, A short history of nearly everything, Black Swan, London,
Other Resources
None
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