INF5010 – Social aspects of technology and science
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course is replaced by INF5011
The purpose of the course is to explore the interactions between science, technology, and society. Technology both influences and is influenced by society. This is especially important as information and communication technology becomes more widespread. We will discuss some history of science: Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolution and its repercussions to computer science, the myths of progress and technological determinism. We will explore some sociology of science and technology: Latour and Callon’s actor network theory and Bowker and Star’s interpretation of actor-network theory through infrastructural inversion, classification and standards. We will also address some aspects of technology and medical science such as cloning and genetic engineering, and we will look at political and economic influences on technology. Special interests of students or current topical issues may also be included in the course.
Learning outcome
The ability to reflect critically on issues related to science and technology.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.Overlapping courses
6 credits overlap with IN-SATS
Teaching
2 hours lectures per week.
This course contains mandatory assignments which must be completed and approved.
Rules for mandatory assignments:
http://www.ifi.uio.no/studier/skjemaer/oblig-retningslinjer_eng.pdf
Submission requirement for mandatory assignments:
http://www.ifi.uio.no/studier/skjemaer/declaration.pdf
Examination
80% of the mandatory assignments must be approved prior to the exam.
Evaluation is based on a written essay or other related assignment (ca 50 %) and oral presentation (ca 50%).
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Course auditor: Hilde Corneliussen (University of Bergen)
Resit an examination
This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see /studier/admin/eksamen/sykdom-utsatt/mn/index.html and www.matnat.uio.no/english/studies/examination/repeat.html
Other
Note that the first lecture is compulsory.