Perspectives in the Social Studies of Technology

  • Teaching

    Details

    Faculty Faculty of Humanities
    Domain Interdisciplinary
    Code UE-L26.00212
    Languages English
    Type of lesson Lecture
    Level Master
    Semester SS-2026

    Schedules and rooms

    Summary schedule Tuesday 15:15 - 17:00, Hebdomadaire, PER 21, Room G314 (Spring semester)

    Teaching

    Responsibles
    • Jobin Anna
    Teachers
    • Jobin Anna
    Description

    The course provides an introduction to major theoretical and analytical perspectives and approaches in STS (which stands for Science & Technology Studies, or Science, Technology, Society, depending on who you ask).

    Week 1: Introduction to STS
    Topic: What is STS? Introduction to the interdisciplinary field of STS and its significance in understanding the interplay between science, technology, and society.      

    Week 2: Science & Knowledge
    Scientific Revolutions, Paradigm Shifts, Expertise, Citizen Science, Situated Knowledge etc.

    Week 3: Standpoints
    Epistemology, Decolonial Perspectives etc.

    Week 4: Technology
    Social Construction of Technology (SCOT), Technological Determinism, Social Shaping of Technology, Domestication etc.

    Week 5: Laboratories
    Laboratory Studies, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), Actants, Sociology of Translation etc.

    Week 6: Boundaries
    Interdisciplinarity, Classifications, Boundary Work, Boundary Objects etc.

    Week 7: Politics
    Governance, Risk, Expertise, Democracy etc.

    Week 8: Boundaries
    Interdisciplinarity, Classifications, Boundary Work, Boundary Objects etc.

    Week 9: Individual Study and Project Advancement

    Week 10: Social studies of technology
    Reviewing the reviews / discussion

    Week 11: Maintenance & Infrastructure
    Labor & Work, Fragility, Practices

    Week 12: Care
    Relational Perspectives, Logic of Care

    Week 13: Media Technologies and Digital STS
    Digital Turn, Communication, Sociomateriality etc.

    Week 14: Presentations
    Students present their individual projects, incorporating STS theories and methodologies to analyze specific cases or issues.

    _____
    Important note: The planning above is for information purposes only and may be subject to change. Please refer to the Moodle for the most recent version of the syllabus and for specific assignment details and due dates.

    Training objectives

    The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of foundational theories and methods in STS, focusing on its interdisciplinary nature, its evolution, and key theoretical frameworks. Students will develop scientific literacy and proficiency in understanding the interplay between science, technology, and society. They will hone their critical thinking, research, and writing skills through the production of a focused review paper of STS theories and methodologies regarding specific cases or issues, which will be presented at the end of the semester.

    Grading: Participation (20%), Assignments (20%), Final paper and presentation (60%)

     

    Softskills Yes
    Off field Yes
    BeNeFri Yes
    Mobility Yes
    UniPop No

    Documents

    Bibliography

    The reference list for this class is available onMoodle after each class.

  • Dates and rooms
    Date Hour Type of lesson Place
    17.02.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    24.02.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    03.03.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    10.03.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    17.03.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    24.03.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    31.03.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    14.04.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    21.04.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    28.04.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    05.05.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    12.05.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    19.05.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
    26.05.2026 15:15 - 17:00 Cours PER 21, Room G314
  • Assessments methods

    Evaluation continue et examen écrit - Outside session

    Assessments methods By rating
  • Assignment
    Valid for the following curricula:
    Culture, Politics and Religion in Pluralist Societies 90 [MA]
    Version: SA18_MA_PA_bi_v02
    Options > Social and Cultural Dynamics > SOCIO 4 Interdisciplinaire
    Options > Social and Cultural Dynamics > SOCIO 3 Interdisciplinaire
    Options > Political and Normative (Dis)order > ANTHRO 3 Interdisciplinaire

    Culture, Politics and Religion in Pluralist Societies 90 [MA]
    Version: SA18_MA_PA_bi_v01
    Option > Option Dynamiques sociales et culturelles > SOCIO 4 Interdisciplinaire
    Option > Option Dynamiques sociales et culturelles > SOCIO 3 Interdisciplinaire
    Option > Option (Dés)ordres politiques et normatifs > ANTHRO 3 Interdisciplinaire

    Culture, Politics and Religion in Pluralist Societies 90 [MA]
    Version: SA24_MA_PA_fr_de_bi_v01
    Options > Social and Cultural Dynamics > SOCIO 4 Interdisziplinär
    Options > Social and Cultural Dynamics > SOCIO 3 Interdisziplinär
    Options > Social Anthropology, Politics, Technology > ANTHRO 3 Interdisziplinär

    Digital Society 30 [MA]
    Version: SA23_MA_P2_en_V01
    DSS 1 - Interdisciplinary perspectives on digital transformation of society

    Digital Society 90 [MA]
    Version: SA25_MA_PA_en_vo1
    DSS 1 - Interdisciplinary perspectives on digital transformation of society

    English Language and Literature 120
    Version: SA15_BA_ang_V02
    Module Nine: Soft Skills

    French and German: Bilingualism and Cultural Exchange 180
    Version: SA23_BA180_de_fr_V01
    Softskills

    Italian 120
    Version: SA22_BA_120_ital_v01
    M8P Softskills

    Spanish 120
    Version: SA23_BA_esp_V01
    M7: Competencias transversales (CTC)