A common assumption is that technologists draw on universal principles to create devices and systems that expand human knowledge and capabilities. However, knowledge exploration and production are deeply influenced by cultural ideas and ideologies. Technology is produced in ways that may reproduce harmful stereotypes or reinforce cultural inequities. Drawing on traditional theoretical texts and contemporary case studies, this course provides an introduction to the complex interactions between technology, culture, and society. Students will explore ethnographic studies from a wide range of fields including medical research, algorithms, social media, earthquake engineering, drones, human-machine cyborgs, and music recommendation algorithms in order to recognize cultural influences on the development of technological and scientific thinking. Of particular importance is developing critical thinking and analytical skills that will enable students to influence designs and policies in techno-scientific fields. The course explores questions such as: How do we know what we know? Are we living in a “post-truth” era? How does culture influence how we design technical products and processes? How might we generate reliable and useful knowledge? How might science and technology be decolonialized? What are examples of reasonable pathways forward, and how might scientific and technological process change to encourage progress and social justice?Social Science and History (SSHIS) courses develop students' critical thinking skills through the study of history and the social sciences (e.g. sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, geography), as well as through contemporary interdisciplines that draw heavily on these fields (e.g. feminist and queer studies, media studies, urban studies, ethnic studies). Subject matter in these courses contributes to students' cultural literacy while instructional materials and classroom assignments introduce basic research problems and techniques.

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