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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. While the primary focus of this class is on the relationship among science, technology, and society, it also explores 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: to explore how each assumption produces knowledge diff erently and to examine the strengths and weaknesses of each position and discuss the ways to use them to construct theory.
Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly 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: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC Grading Mode: Graded
Prerequisites: SOC151
Last Updated on MAR-24-2000
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459