- Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.
However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.
Science and Technology Studies Major | 2018
This major is available to students studying the Bachelor of Arts.
Want to know more about the role played by science and technology in the development of modern societies? Are you interested in environmental and social justice issues?
Science & Technology Studies (STS) at UoW is the oldest program of its kind in Australia and has an international reputation for producing high-quality, socially-relevant research. It covers:
- Sociology of Science, Technology & Medicine
- Environmental Sociology & Politics
- Science & Technology Policy
- History & Philosophy of Science, Technology & Medicine
In STS you can study everything from Galileo’s conflict with the Church over his sun-centred theory of the cosmos, to international laws relating to biotechnology and nanotechnology regulation. Other topics covered in STS include the public understanding of science, the role of technical experts in contemporary societies, local and international responses to climate change, and democratic participation in decision-making about controversial scientific, technical and environmental issues.
Whether you are enrolled in any kind of Arts, Science, Engineering, Social Science or Business degree, you can do a minor in STS and get credit points toward your degree program. Students enrolled in either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies degree can pursue STS as a single major or in combination with another major or specialisation.
Specialisation in STS opens pathways to careers in academia, teaching, science communication, journalism, law, policy development, politics and museum studies. Numerous STS graduates from UoW have gone on to build successful careers in all of these areas and more.
Major Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this major students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate key concepts from Science and Technology Studies that have contributed to research in its various sub-fields and how they are relevant to other areas of study;
- Exercise critical thinking and judgment to generate solutions to a range of problems in science and technology policy and decision-making processes;
- Create coherent analytical narratives which engage with key contemporary theories in Science and Technology Studies and related fields of study.
Subjects Required for Major Study
A major in Science and Technology Studies consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A minimum of ONE from the following: | |||
| STC 100 | Society, Culture and Technology | 6 | |
| STS 112 | The Scientific Revolution | 6 | |
| Plus a minimum of TWO of the following: | |||
| STS 209 | Sociology of Knowledge:Theories, Methods & Practices in the Sciences | 6 | |
| STS 216 | Environmental Sociology and Politics | 6 | |
| STS 286 | Risk, Media and Communication | 6 | |
| Plus: | |||
| STS 302 | Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures (Capstone) | 6 | |
| Plus at least FOUR from the following. THREE must be 300 level: | |||
| CST 244 | The Everyday Life of Social Policy | 6 | |
| SOC 207 | Introduction to Social Theory | 6 | |
| SOC 234 | Social Research Methods | 6 | |
| SOC 251 | Genetics, Biotechnology and Society | 6 | |
| SOC 328 | Social Policy, Neoliberalism and the 'Post-Welfare state' | 6 | |
| SOC 329 | Globalisation and Social Transformation | 6 | |
| SOC 344 | Emotions, Bodies & Society | 6 | |
| SOC 347 | Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine | 6 | |
| INTS311 | Human Security, Global Capitalism and the Environment | 6 | |
| Either: | |||
| GEOG336 | Qualitative Research Design for Social Scientists | 6 | |
| GEOG338 | Planning Urban Futures | 6 | |
Timetables
Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject.
To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.
Minor Study
A minor in Science and Technology Studies (STS) is available and consists of at least 24 credit points from the schedule of the STS major. The minor must include at least 12 credit points at 200 level or higher and must include at least three STS subjects.
Students cannot complete both a major and minor in STS.
Information regarding minors, including which subjects to take to complete a minor, are available on the 2018 General Schedule of Minors page.
Minors appear on the transcript (academic record), but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded, students must submit an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor.
Work Integrated Learning
Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.
The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.
Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.
Honours
Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements
Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the UOW Course Finder.
Other Information
For further information email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au