SIS Department STS Course Learning Outcomes
(modified 3 January 2007)

STS 2400 Science, Technology, and Society:

Students will be able to:

1.   Identify and evaluate competing views and the information supporting them.

2. Formulate their own opinions on complex issues and to communicate their views clearly in both written and oral formats, and support their position with relevant evidence.

3. Recognize the ways in which science and technology have been shaped by, and have helped to shape, society and culture.

4. Apply STS concepts to the scientific disciplines and technologies relevant to their majors.

5. Participate effectively in multidisciplinary groups.

Additional Learning Outcome for Honors Sections:

6. Apply what they have learned in the course to create an informational presentation for an audience outside the class membership.

STS 4000 International Issues in Science and Technology:

Students will be able to:

1. Identify technical, social, political, and moral issues raised by current advances in and uses of science and technology.

2. Evaluate scientific and technological issues from the perspective of peoples and nations outside the United States, giving particular attention to the social, political, and economic ramifications of various scientific and technological choices and developments.

3. Weigh evidence, construct arguments, evaluate arguments, and apply these skills to the debates concerning contemporary international issues in science and technology.

4. Formulate and clearly express, both orally and in writing, your own position on contemporary international issues in science and technology, supporting your position with evidence and example as well as logically consistent and fully developed argumentation.

STS 4400 Topical Studies in Science and Technology

Students will be able to:

1. Identify technical, social, political, and moral issues raised by current advances in science and technology.

2. Evaluate scientific and technological issues from multiple perspectives, giving particular attention to the social, political, and economic ramifications of various scientific and technological choices and developments.

3. Weigh evidence, construct arguments, evaluate arguments, and apply these skills to the debates concerning contemporary international issues in science and technology.

4. Formulate and clearly express, both orally and in writing, their own positions on contemporary international issues in science and technology, supporting these positions with evidence and example as well as logically consistent and fully developed argumentation.

STS 4800: Global Technology Seminar

Students will be able to:

1. Integrate information and perspectives from a number of disciplines.

2. Develop and complete a self-directed research project, meeting high standards and all deadlines.

3. Formulate and clearly express, orally and in writing, background information and a clear position on the chosen topic, supported with evidence and example as well as logically consistent and fully developed argumentation.