STS302H Fall 2024 MW 1:30-2:45 3 credit hours
Science Technology and Human Values
Benjamin Frankin Scholars Introduction
Prerequisite: Membership in Benjamin Franklin Scholars
Ross Bassett
ross@ncsu.edu
478 Withers
3-2231
Office Hours MW 12-1pm
Email for reading responses:
ncsusts302h@gmail.com
“No matter how completely technics relies upon the objective procedures of the sciences, it does not form an independent system, like the universe: it exists as an element in human culture and it promises well or ill as the social groups that exploit it promise well or ill. The machine itself makes no demands and holds out no promises: it is the human spirit that makes demands and keeps promises. In order to reconquer the machine and subdue it to human purposes, one must first understand it and assimilate it.”
Lewis Mumford, Technics and Civilization (1934)
Note: This course has a Moodle site, but all the content for the class will be served through this site. This site will direct you to Moodle to upload papers. Moodle will also contain the class gradebook.