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SOC 237

The Production of Knowledge
SOC 237 FA

Crosslistings: SISP203, WMST238
Photo Caption and Credits

Fall 96 Availability (Last Updated on Thu Apr 17 05:01:13 EDT 1997 )

Section  Limit  Enrollment  Available
  01       22      0         22

Next Offered in 9798 FA

In sociology, the social studies of science, and in feminist theory there are competing claims about the status of truth and the nature of reality. These claims rely on two very different epistemological foundations -- positivism and constructivism. In this class while the primary focus is on the relationship among science, technology, and society, we also explore how these epistemological assumptions shape sociological and feminist theories on other topics. To illuminate the differences in these assumptions, the class is organized into two sections. In the first we address the epistemological assumptions of positivism and in the second we discuss the epistemological assumptions of constructivism. In each case we examine the ways these assumptions are manifested in both the research strategies and theoretical analysis of each discipline -- sociology, social studies of science, and feminist theory. In so doing there are twin goals: 1) to explore how each assumption produces knowledge differently; and 2) to examine the strengths and weaknesses of each position and discuss the ways to use them to construct theory.

MAJOR READINGS

Fay, SOCIAL THEORY AND POLITICAL PRACTICE
Merton, THE SOCIOLOGY OF SCIENCE
Barnes and Edge, SCIENCE IN CONTEXT
Latour and Woolgar, LABORATORY LIFE
Martin, FLEXIBLE BODIES
Nelken, CONTROVERSIES
Perrow, NORMAL ACCIDENTS
Bleier, FEMINIST APPROACHES TO SCIENCE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two take-home essay examinations, class presentations, and a reading journal.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Course is also open to junior and senior SISP and WMST majors who have not taken SOC151. This is a Permission of Instructor course and admittance can only be obtained after a personal interview with the instructor. Final grade will take into consideration attendance, class participation, and improvement through the semester as well as oral and written assignments. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS SOC

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997



About the Photo:

Our contemporary views are shaped by the particular theories and methods that our society makes available to us -- in this case, a theory of electromagnetic radiation and a laser technology.

Reference:

Robertson, Ian. SOCIOLOGY, 3rd ed., New York: Worth Publishers, Inc., 1987



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