Science, Technology, and Society

Course Number and Section: STS WFW

Second Semester 2017-2018
Class Meeting Days and Times: Wednesdays & Fridays at 1:00-2:30 PM
Location: College of Science (CS) Auditorium, University of the Philippines-Diliman

Course Facilitator: Michelle Sotaridona Eusebio

Email: michelle.eusebio@upd.edu.ph; michelleeusebio@yahoo.com
Consultation Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays 3:00-5:00 PM (Please set an appointment before.)
Office: Lecturers’ Hall, Albert Hall, Lakandula Street, University of the Philippines-Diliman

Course Description: An exploration of the past, present and future of science and technology in
society and the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors affecting their
development, with special focus on the Philippines.
Course Goal: To critically explore the interrelationships of science and technology with other
disciplines and cultures as well as their creative processes; and the interaction and dynamics of
science, technology, and society towards national development in the Philippines.
Methods: Class lectures, discussions and other in-class activities, research project supervision,
documentary viewing, public lectures, etc.

Strategies for doing well in this course and a successful semester:

✓ Do the assignments [may include reading(s)] for the day.
✓ Attend and participate in the classes.
✓ Pay attention and take notes in class.
✓ Ask questions. There is no “stupid” question.
✓ Follow instructions for assignments, exams, and other class outputs.
✓ Submit assignment(s) on time.
✓ Do not hesitate to contact your instructor via email or to stop by during her office hours for
consultation.
✓ Be willing to critically rethink what or think you know based on various perspectives.
✓ Do think ahead. The best scientists try to predict what will happen based on the information
they already have and the new facts they are learning.

Students will be graded through the following:

In-Class Activities (30%): Students in groups of ~10 will have in-class activities related to the
class discussion at various points in the semester. There will be no right and wrong answers, since
the goals are to express ideas and develop critical thinking skills. Thus, full points will be usually
given for those who have participated. Each activity is worth a minimum of 5 points. [Total
Points: 90]
Research Project on “Excavate an Agency/Department” with paper and presentation (25%):
Students in groups of ~10 will submit a minimum of 10-page (main text) research paper on a
chosen department or agency in the Philippines and present their project summary for ten
minutes. Further details will be provided in the class. [Total Points: 75]
Exam 1 (15%): [Total Points: 45]
Exam 2 (20%): [Total Points: 60]
Other Assignments/Tasks and Class Participation (10%): [Total Points: 30]
Total (100%): [300 points]

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Course Grading Scale:
1.00 = 96-100% 2.50 = 66-70%
1.25 = 91-95% 2.75 = 61-65%
1.50 = 86-90% 3.00 = 56-60%
1.75 = 81-85% 4.00 = 5l-55%
2.00 = 76-80% 5.00 = 50% and below
2.25 = 71-75% Inc. = Incomplete

Grade Dispute Policy: Students have an allowance of 48 hours or two days after the grades are
posted to discuss concerns about their grades on assignments and exams. Please contact the
instructor within the allowance given; otherwise, all grades are undisputedly final.

Extra Credit Opportunities (These are optional!): You have opportunities to earn up to 30 extra
points (10%) by doing one or both of the following:
1. Attend one talk/lecture/seminar related to this course within UP and NCR and write a
reaction/reflection/review paper (summary and insights, maximum of three pages) about it.
Due on May 21, 2018 (15 points = 5%).
2. Three-minute thesis (for those graduating or in their thesis research stage) or STS related topic
of interest (for those not into thesis research yet) on April 20, 2018. NOTE: Only the first 20
volunteers will be accommodated for this opportunity. Directly contact your course facilitator
as soon as possible if you intend to volunteer (15 points = 5%).

Format for Papers (should be submitted as word file and print):

Font style and size: Arial or Times New Roman 12; or Calisto 11.5
First line in first page: Name (e.g., Hedy Lamarr)
Second line: Student Number (2014-xxxxx)
Third line: Course Number and Section (STS WFW)
Fourth line: Type of assignment (e.g., Reaction paper)
Spacing for the main text (align left) preceded by the title (center) of the paper: 1.5 or 2.0
Spacing and format for references: Single spaced and SAA citation style (pp. 21-25 & 31-40 of
http://www.saa.org/Portals/0/SAA%20Style%20Guide_Final_6-5-17.pdf). Both in reference
lists or bibliography and in-text citations.
Please include page numbers.
Note: Please include your surnames in the file names of the digital versions of your papers. For
example, LAMARR_STS_ReactionPaperHollywood&Wifi.

Make-up Policy: Make-up work will be administered for students who miss the regularly
scheduled exam and other activities due to a University approved excused absence such as illness,
serious family emergencies, religious holidays, court-imposed legal obligations, and participation
in official university activities. Documentation (doctor’s note, etc.) is required to substantiate your
absence.

Attendance Policy: Attendance for this course is highly encouraged. If you arrived 15 minutes
after official class time, you are late. If you arrived 30 minutes after official class time, you are
absent.

Student Conduct: All students must comply with the Student Conduct Code which can found at
http://osu.up.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2012-Code-of-Student-Conduct.pdf. Any behavior

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that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students
to benefit from the instructional program will not be tolerated. Please turn off (or switch to silent
mode) cell phones and all other electronic devices before and during class. Texting or talking
on cell phones, communicating via social media, and internet surfing during class are not
allowed. Laptops may only be used to take notes. Disruptive students will be asked to leave.

E-mail etiquette:
The syllabus, announcements, instructions, and additional relevant materials will be emailed by
the instructor to the students through their provided email addresses. When contacting your
instructor, email is the best option. Please use your provided email address for all
communications. When communicating to your instructor:
✓ Expect me to respond to emails between 10 am and 5 pm on Monday through Friday with a
24-hour lag time.
✓ However, before sending your questions through your email, ensure that the answers are not
found in this course syllabus.
✓ Be specific about the subject of the email in the mail subject heading and be polite.

Academic Honesty: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. As a registered student in this
course and at the University of the Philippines, you have agreed to the following statement: “I
understand that the University of the Philippines expects its students to be honest in all their
academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that
my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including
expulsion from the University.” If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating on exams or
assignments, you will receive an automatic zero and will be referred to University
administration for disciplinary action.

Class Schedule and Topics:

Disclaimer: This schedule is subject to change if the need arises.
Week and Days Topics
Week 1
Jan. 17/Wednesday Class Introduction and Organization
Jan. 19/Friday
Week 2 I. Overview and History and Philosophy of Science
Jan. 24/ Wednesday A. Introduction to Science, Technology and Society and its
Jan. 26/Friday theories
Week 3 B. The Needham Question: STS theory and the history of science
Jan. 31/Wednesday C. Historical antecedents: social considerations that changed the
Feb. 2/Friday course of science and technology – World and the Philippines
D. Paradigm Shifts and Scientific Revolutions
E. Other Possible Topics if Time Allows
Week 4 II. The cultural aspects of science and technology
Feb. 7/Wednesday
Feb. 9/Friday A. Science in Art and Culture.
Week 5 B. Science in Everyday Life in history.
Feb. 14/Wednesday
Feb. 16/Friday – Holiday: C. Technocultures: How cultural systems and technologies interact
Chinese New Year! and shape each other profoundly?
Week 6
Feb. 21/Wednesday
D. Ethnoscience and ethnomathematics
Feb. 23/Friday
Week 7
Feb. 28/Wednesday

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 Mar. 2/Friday Exam 1
Week 8 III. Dynamics and interactions of contemporary Science and
Mar. 7/Wednesday
Mar. 9/Friday Technology with Culture and Society
Week 9
Mar. 14/Wednesday
Mar. 16/Friday
Week 10
Mar. 21/Wednesday
Mar. 23/Friday
Week 11 IV. Science, development and policy
Apr. 4/Wednesday A. Importance of science policy and governance in development
Apr. 6/Friday B. Philippine science and development policies from the colonial
Week 12
Apr. 11/Wednesday period to the present
Apr. 13/Friday C. Priority areas in science and technology development policies
Week 13 and programs
Apr. 18/Wednesday D. Post-normal science in international science policy and advice
Apr. 20/Friday Science education and communication: Three-minute thesis/STS
relevant topic of interest presentations (20 volunteers only).
Week 14 V. Contemporary Issues and Future Developments in Science,
Apr. 25/Wednesday Technology and Society (may cover at least four topics)
Apr. 27/Friday A. The valuation of technology (social, economic and cultural)
Week 15 B. Dealing with technological change:
May 2/Wednesday 1. The person in a digital society
May 4/Friday 2. Information and digital divides
3. The shift from primacy of entities to the primacy of
interactions
C. The shift of knowledge production from the university to other
institutions (e.g. corporations, non-governmental institutions)
D. Social and digital media and their epistemologies (e.g.,
alternative facts)
E. Pseudoscience and science denial
F. Scientific integrity and ethics
G. Big data and privacy
H. The future of STS as a knowledge discipline in the Philippines
I. Other relevant topics
Week 16 Research Project Presentations
May 9/Wed
May 11/Friday
May 16/Wed Exam 2
May 18/Friday Research Project Paper Due
May 21/Monday Extra Credit Reaction/Reflection/Review Paper Due