The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Butler University

Prerequisites: PS210, PS211 and PS320 or permission
of instructor. (U/G)(3). Occasionally.
PS479, Advanced Seminar in Applied
Psychology: Continued coverage of an area
within applied psychology. The topic of each
advanced seminar will be announced in the
class schedule and will consist of an in-depth
exploration of research and theory. Prerequisite:
10 hours or permission of instructor. (U/G)(3).
Occasionally.
PS496, Independent Study: This course
provides the student with academic credit for
the completion of projects not usually included
in an academic program. Prerequisites: 10
hours and permission of instructor. (U/G)
(1-6). Occasionally.
PS499, Honors Thesis: (U)(3). Spring only.
Science, Technology and Society
Administration
Travis Ryan, Ph.D., interim director
Is there any part of our world that is not
transformed and challenged by science and
technology? Our health, our families and communities,
and our environment are all impacted
by developments in science and technology.
Science and technology are also driven by
society. Economics, ethical principles, cultural
practices and politics all influence the funding,
progress, implications and the public’s overall
understanding of science and technology. The
Science Technology and Society (STS) major is
designed to prepare you for a number of career
paths in health, environment, education, law,
public policy, communications and many other
fields.
The STS program integrates the natural
sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and computer
science), humanities (history, philosophy
and English), and social sciences (anthropology,
sociology and psychology). Service learning and
hands-on community experience are emphasized
in several of these classes. STS internships with
local health, environmental and technological
agencies and companies allow students to
apply their academic learning to community
problems and to network with employers.
Student Learning Objectives
• Learn how science and technology
are influenced by politics, economics
and culture.
205 Butler University
• Learn the metaphysical, epistemological
and ethical questions intersecting with
science and technology and related areas
such as medicine and environment.
• Learn to interpret scientific language and
communication and will become
sophisticated consumers of media
translations and reports of science.
• Learn to research, write and speak about
scientific and technological issues and
problems as they relate to society.
• Gain an understanding of the
interdisciplinary nature of our most
pressing public problems, related to
health, technology and the environment,
that require interdisciplinary approaches
to solve.
Degrees
Major in STS
Minor in STS
Requirements for the Major
STS core courses (6 hours):
ST200, Introduction to Science Studies
One of these:
ST320, Philosophy of Science
ST330, The Social and Rhetorical Study of
Science and Technology
Five courses (15 hours) in the natural sciences
or technology (engineering or computer
science) in addition to the core curriculum
Natural World requirement (5 hours). The 15
hours of science or technology courses are not
understood to be part of the STS major, and
as such, they may be counted toward other
requirements — either toward Division IV or
V core or toward a minor or major in a science
and technology discipline.
Eight courses (24 hours) of STS elective
courses from various departments for a total of
30 hours, plus 15 hours of natural science or
technology courses.
Co-curricular requirements: STS majors must
participate in at least six designated co-curricular
activities — typically public lectures or other
events concerned with STS issues. The program
publishes a calendar of events that can be used
to meet this requirement. Students must submit
a report describing their impression of the event
to the director of the STS program.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences