The Department of Social Sciences announces a summer course offering.

“Politics of Science and Technology” (PS 332) examines the connections between politics (i.e., power-oriented relationships and dynamics) and science and technology (S&T). This course will be of particular interest to students who want to know more about (1) the role of elites – including scientists and engineers – in achieving S&T-related goals, (2) how the entrepreneurial government sets up programs to increase innovation, (3) communication failures in the conveying of science and technology to the general public, and (4) innovations in e-government. Emphasis is also made on the connections between innovation and development, and students will be responsible for creating a project which assesses a particular case of technology transfer from the developed to the developing world. In lieu of in-class exams, students will have three 3-4 page papers which they will have one week to complete.

PS 332 will meet on Mondays and Wednesday from 11 am – 2:10 pm.

Contact Dr. Matthew Shapiro at matthew.shapiro@iit.edu if you have any questions about enrolling or prerequisites.