SOC 237

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SOC 237

The Production of Knowledge SOC 237 FA

Crosslistings: SISP203, WMST238

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times
1	20	0	Times: .T.T... 2:40PM-4:00PM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:01:03 EST 1998 )

Photo Caption and Credits

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

A prerequisite override form, secured through the Registrar's Office, will be available for SISP and WMST majors and pre-med students. 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: SOC 151

Section 01: Fisher, S; Times: .T.T... 2:40PM- 4:00PM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 0, Fr: 0; Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

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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