Science Studies

Science Studies is inherently an interdisciplinary major. It not only explores the complex interactions among the sciences, technology and medicine, it also attempts to explain how they interact with different parts of society, such as government, industry, education, religion, and the economy. Science Studies draws upon a plethora of methodologies from various disciplines, including the sciences themselves, history, philosophy, sociology, and anthropology. With the tools provided by these subjects, the discipline of Science Studies illustrates how scientific, technological and medical knowledge is constructed on the one hand, and how culture and society are constructed on the other. In short, Science Studies investigates the link between the content of scientific, technological and medical knowledge and the context in which such knowledge is generated.

Science Studies is meant to branch out into all areas of the Willamette campus. Science students need to be cognizant of how their knowledge influences, and is framed by, society. Such awareness necessitates a sense of social responsibility. Students of sociology, philosophy, history, and anthropology must appreciate how their disciplines can help elucidate the scientific enterprise. Precisely because science, technology, and medicine impact our lives in unprecedented ways, all members of the academy are obliged to become familiar with these fields.

Science Studies is an appropriate major for pre-med students, as medical schools are interested in well-rounded students who can discuss intelligently the social aspects of medicine. Pre-law students, particularly those interested in science policy and intellectual property, can gain a valuable insight by studying the relationship between science and the law. Also, given the importance of biotechnology and genetic engineering to the media, Science Studies would also appeal to those interested in a career in science journalism. Finally, this major is well suited for students of the sciences, history, sociology and cultural anthropology interested in pursuing graduate work in science studies (including history of science, medicine, or technology, philosophy of science, and sociology of science and technology).

Requirements for the Science Studies Major (11 Credits)

Four courses (including any prerequisites) of one science (4)

Chemistry

• At least 2 courses at the 200 level

Biology

• At least 2 courses at the 200 level

Physics

• At least 2 courses at the 300 level

Computer Science

Any calculus prerequisites may NOT be counted.

• CS 231 (QA*) Introduction to Programming (1) and
• CS 241 (QA) Introduction to Computer Science: Data Structures (1) and
• Two courses at the 300 or 400 level

Exercise Science

Any four of the following:

• BIOL 246 Human Anatomy (1)
• BIOL 260 Human Physiology (1)
• EXSCI 340 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries (1)
• EXSCI 347 Biomechanics (1)
• EXSCI 360 Physiology of Exercise (1)

Psychology

• PSYC 130 (NW) Evolutionary Psychology (1)

And any two of the following:

• PSYC 345 Biopsychology (1)
• PSYC 348 Health Psychology (1)
• PSYC 350 Cognitive Processes (1)
• PSYC 351 Sensation and Perception (1)
• PSYC 355 Cognitive Neuroscience (1)

Two of the following three courses (2)

• SST 120 (TH) Introduction to the History of Science
• SST 122 Introduction to the History of Technology
• SST 240 (TH) Introduction to the History of Western Medicine

Four credits from the following (at least three at 300/400 level) (4)

• ANTH 344 Medical Anthropology
• ENVR 326 (TH) Environmental History
• EXSCI 330 Science of Nutrition
• IDS 220 (AR; NW) The Body in Science and Soceity
• IDS 330 (W) Science Studies
• IDS 331 (W) Religion and Science
• IDS 423 (W) Literature of Natural Science
• PHIL 280 Epistemology
• PHIL 332 Philosophy of Science
• PHIL 333 Metaphysics
• PHIL 360 (W) Philosophy of Mind
• PHYS 110 (NW) Astronomy
• SOC 119 Medical Sociology
• SST 323 (W) Advanced Topics in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
  SST 389 (TH) Physics and Society
• SST 392 (TH) Biology and Society

Senior seminar

• SST 499 (W) Senior Seminar in Science Studies (1)

Requirements for the Science Studies Minor (6 Credits)

Two credits in a science (2)

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Exercise Science or Psychology (2)

Two of the following three courses (2)

• SST 120 (TH) Introduction to the History of Science
• SST 122 Introduction to the History of Technology
• SST 240 (TH) Introduction to the History of Western Medicine

Two credits from the following (2)

• ANTH 344 Medical Anthropology
• ENVR 326 (TH) Environmental History
• EXSCI 330 Science of Nutrition
• IDS 220 (AR; NW) The Body in Science and Society
• IDS 330 (W) Science Studies
• IDS 331 (W) Religion and Science
• IDS 423 (W) Literature of Natural Science
• PHIL 280 Epistemology
• PHIL 332 Philosophy of Science
• PHIL 333 Metaphysics
• PHIL 360 (W) Philosophy of Mind
• PHYS 110 (NW) Astronomy
• SOC 119 Medical Sociology
• SST 323 (W) Advanced Topics in the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
• SST 389 (TH) Physics and Society
  SST392 (TH) Physics and Society

Science Studies Advisory Committee

• William E. Duvall, E. Jerry Whipple Professor of History
• Louis F. Goble, Professor of Philosophy
• Karl Fritz Ruehr, Associate Professor of Computer Science
• Todd P. Silverstein, Professor of Chemistry
• Barbara Stebbins-Boaz, Associate Professor of Biology
• D. Angus Vail, Associate Professor of Sociology
• Richard W. Watkins, Associate Professor of Physics
• Peter Wogan, Associate Professor of Anthropology

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