Science, Technology and

Society
(STS)
 Course Description

The course deals with interactions between science and technology and
social, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape and are
shaped by them. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013).
This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities
brought about by science and technology in society. Such realities
pervade the personal, the public, and the global aspects of our living
and are integral to human development. Scientific knowledge and
technological development happen in the context of society with all its
socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings at
play. This course seeks to instill reflective knowledge in the students
that they are able to live the good life and display ethical decision
making in the face of scientific and technological advancement.
This course includes mandatory topics on climate change and
environmental awareness.
Brief Explanation of the subject STS

The course is designed to enable students to appreciate,

in broad terms, the societal impact of developments in
science and technology at the global and national level.
This includes a review of the history of science and
technology globally--from the prehistoric era all the way to
today's advances in sciences and technology--and
similarly in the Philippines, including science policy.
The historical survey, which is grounded on an
understanding of basic science concepts, will examine
how these developments have affected the course of
human society: politically, economically, and socially
(including culturally)
The second part of the course focuses on current issues arising from
the application of science and technology, how such applications
relate to ethical and political decisions in both the public and private
sector, and their effects (positive and negative) on society and life in
general. Examples of issues that can be taken up are:

• Climate Change
• Health policy
• Food Security
• Neurology
• The environment and natural
• The revolution of ICT
resource management
• Intellectual property rights over patents
• Biotechnology including genetic
and discoveries from bioprospecting
engineering
• Weapons of mass destruction
• Medical ethics (human
• Impact assessment of technology
experimentation)
Note

The course entails a variety of

readings, group discussions, and
research, culminating in a
presentation of findings regarding a
particular issue.
 3 MAJOR DIVISION

1. GENERAL CONCEPTS AND

HISTORICAL EVENTS IN STS

2. STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

3. SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS

•Create GROUPINGS
– Group 1- (name of group)
– Group 2- (name of group)
– Group 3-(name of group)
– Group 4- (name of group)
– Group 5-(name of group)

•Preliminary Activity
– To explain in a creative manner why they
named their group as such name.
Activity 1: JUXTAPOSITION

Each group will be given different things

(ancient or modern stuff). All those things
should be experienced by each group by
and each of them will answer the following
questions.
1. What is the science behind?
2. What is/are technology involve?
3. What is/are the issues and concerns?
4. Who is/are the scientist/s involve?
Lecture Discussion Intro on STS
Historical antecedents in which social
considerations changed the course of
science and technology.
Activity: Standing in the Shoulders of
Giants
1. Form groups
a. Ancient History
b. Middle Age
c. Modern Age
d. Philippines
2. Choose 10 great/important inventions from the
historical period assigned to your group/pair.
3. Determine the antecedents that cause/lead to
the invention.
How To…

• Prepare Trump Cards

• using 1/4 pieces of
illustration board.
• white side - photo of
the invention.
• black side –
description of the
invention including
antecedents.
HOMEWORK

1. Review a history of science, make and

design unique timeline highlighting the
major discoveries and developments of
Science and Technology in the World
and in the Philippines.
2. Present it in class.
Intellectual Revolutions that Defined Society

a. Copernican
b. Darwinian
c. Freudian
d. Information
e. Meso-American
f. Asian
g. Middle East
h. African
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
FOR STUDENTS

3-16
Copernican

1. What is the contribution of Copernicus

in the philosophy of science?
2. Do you think thought experiment is still
useful in science in the present time?
3. Do you think the church should
intervene in scientific activities?
 DARWINIAN

1. What is Darwin’s contribution to modern

society?
2. How can Darwin’s evolutionary theory
influence the following fields in modern
times:
1. Economy
2. Agriculture
3. Political Science
4. Religion
 FREUDIAN

1. What are the controversies or questions

in Freud’s ideas?
2. How can you describe Freudian ideas
as a scientist?
Development of Science in Mesoamerica,
Asia, Middle East and Africa

1. How did the society shape science and how did

science shape society?
2. How do social and human issues influence science?
3. How do political and cultural landscapes of the
society affect the development of scientific culture,
science activities, and science literacy
4. Considering the current state of our society, do you
think science literacy among people has contributed
to the growth of our economy?
5. How can science influence government policies?
Section Exam 1 (General Concepts and
Historical Events in STS)

Prepare a 3-page essay on:

1. The history of Science and Technology in the

Philippines.( Ref. Olivia Caoili’s piece)
2. Current issues faced by the Philippines (i.e.,
brain drain, poverty, colonial mentality, disaster risk
reduction)
Among the issues mentioned, what field should the
government concentrate / put emphasis on in
relation to nation-building?
 Format / Specifications

• 3 pages long, short-sized bond paper

• 1 inch margin on all sides
• justified
• double space
• page number at the bottom center
• font: Times New Roman, 12
• indicate name on the last page
• file name ex. cabana
• send pdf file to cyramaesoreda@gmail.com with
subject “STS-Section Exam”
• deadline: July 30, Wednesday 8:00 AM
Section Exam 2 (STS AND HUMAN CONDITION)

Find and examine local government

policies that protect the well-being of
the person in the face of new
technologies

**It can be in a form of case study

3-25