MH4151 Society, Culture, Media and Technology Syllabus:
MH4151 Society, Culture, Media and Technology Syllabus – Anna University PG Syllabus Regulation 2021
OBJECTIVES
To introduce the interdisciplinary field of research, science, technology and society studies.
To create awareness of the interface between science, technology and society from a theoretical perspective.
UNIT I SOCIOLOGY OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
Relationship between science and the social, Conventional view of philosophers and historians of science, Sociology of Science (Karl Manheim-Robert K. Merton), Social Function of Science (Joseph Bernal). The Radical Science Movement- the Kuhnian intervention. Science as a social activity: Strong Program, Laboratory Studies/ethnography of science, Actor Network Theory (Bruno Latour). Communicating science to peers, scientific controversies, public engagement with Science &Technology -the changing configuration of science, mode II knowledge production.
UNIT II TECHNOLOGY – SOCIETY INTERFACE I
Techno science and the Interpenetration of Science & Technology Questioning of the traditional boundary between science (knowing) and technology (doing). How science and technology together shape the ways in which knowledge is constructed. Technological Determinism, Power and the Politics of Knowledge Production.
UNIT III TECHNOLOGY – SOCIETY INTERFACE II
Technology in Context: Perspectives in Science, Technology and Society (STS) Studies. Various perspectives on Technology in Science, Technology and Society(STS) studies; Social Shaping of Technology – Social Construction of Technology, Actor Network Theory, Transition in Socio-Technical Systems. Multi-Level Perspective, Critical Theory of Technology. Contributions of Trench, Lewenstein, Jasanoff & Vishvanathan-governance and ethical issues in the context of emerging technologies. Influence of local contexts —democratisation and ‘up-stream’ public
engagement with technology.
UNIT IV NEW MEDIA
The new communication paradigm brought about by digital technologies. Digitality (Digital versus Analogue Media) – Interactivity, Extractive versus immersive navigation, Registrational Interactivity and Interactive communication – Hyper textuality – Networked Media –Virtuality
UNIT V VISUAL CULTURE
Introduction and definitions of Visual Culture- Visual Culture Studies – New ways of seeing – Decoding Images – Visual Cultural Perspectives – High and low culture – Images and Power – Images and Ideology – Picture Theory – Representation – Image and Meaning – The myth of the Image – Medium is the Message
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES
CO1 Understanding of trends that problematize production of scientific knowledge and the sociology of scientific knowledge
CO2 Familiarity with the technology-society interface from a wide range of theoretical Stand points such as social shaping of technology, social constructionist and actor network theoretical perspectives
CO3 Understanding of science and technology as socially and culturally embedded activities.
REFERENCES
1. Collins, Harry and Pinch, Trevor 1993. The Golem: What Everyone should Know about Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
2. Hess, David J. 1995. Science and Technology in a Multicultural World: The Cultural Politics of Facts and Artefacts. New York: Columbia Press.
3. Hess, David J. 1997. Science Studies: An Advanced Introduction. New York: NewYork University Press.
4. Jasanoff, Sheila et al. (eds.). 1995. Handbook of Science and Technology Studies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
5. MacKenzie, Donald and Judy Wajcman 1999 (eds.). The Social Shaping of Technology, 2nd edition, Open University Press.
6. Sismondo, Sergio 2010. An Introduction to Science and Technology Studies (2nd edition). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
7. Mirzoeff, Nicholas, An Introduction to Visual Culture, Routledge
8. Bijker, Wiebe E. et al. 1989. The Social Construction of Technological Systems. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
9. Bloor, David 1976. Knowledge and Social Imagery, second edition, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul.
10. Mccluhan, Marshall, The Medium is the Message, From Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man.