Sociology of Science and Technology
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to deepen issues in the area of humanities and social sciences, with particular attention to the relationship between philosophy and sociology of science and technology. With the task of carrying out a critical analysis of contemporary scientific knowledge, their methods of investigation and production of knowledge.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
- knowledge of issues related to: the production and legitimacy of scientific knowledge; the philosophical, ideological and social assumptions underlying their methods; the ability to conduct empirical research in the field of science and technology studies and to evaluate the results achieved critically.
- development of a critical awareness of scientific methods in different disciplines, with special attention to the possibility of integrating methods, concepts and knowledge from other disciplines (philosophy, logics, history, aesthetics, anthropology).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
- the ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired also outside the thematic areas addressed in the course as well as beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy, such as in the fields of research and development (R&D) in manufacturing, in teaching science subjects, in scientific communication by foundations and institutes, in the organization of museum exhibitions.
- the ability to deal critically with divergent theoretical and cultural perspectives.
- knowledge of issues related to: the production and legitimacy of scientific knowledge; the philosophical, ideological and social assumptions underlying their methods; the ability to conduct empirical research in the field of science and technology studies and to evaluate the results achieved critically.
- development of a critical awareness of scientific methods in different disciplines, with special attention to the possibility of integrating methods, concepts and knowledge from other disciplines (philosophy, logics, history, aesthetics, anthropology).
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
- the ability to apply the knowledge and critical skills acquired also outside the thematic areas addressed in the course as well as beyond the disciplinary boundaries of philosophy, such as in the fields of research and development (R&D) in manufacturing, in teaching science subjects, in scientific communication by foundations and institutes, in the organization of museum exhibitions.
- the ability to deal critically with divergent theoretical and cultural perspectives.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
In the first part of the course will be examined: the different concepts of science, the relationship between scientific knowledge and knowledge of common sense, between science and values, the problem of the observer, the concepts of truth and method, the logic of scientific discoveries.
Taking for granted the main paradigms of the last century such as neopositivism, hermeneutics and realism,
we will start from the reflections of lesser known authors (such as Hanson) to examine the contemporary theories of important sociologists of science (Bloor, Collins and Latour etc.).
The second and third parts of the course are devoted to scientific controversies, also with interventions of external speakers, to understand that in science there is not a single thought, but they are mainly the product of divergences, differences and conflicts.
Taking for granted the main paradigms of the last century such as neopositivism, hermeneutics and realism,
we will start from the reflections of lesser known authors (such as Hanson) to examine the contemporary theories of important sociologists of science (Bloor, Collins and Latour etc.).
The second and third parts of the course are devoted to scientific controversies, also with interventions of external speakers, to understand that in science there is not a single thought, but they are mainly the product of divergences, differences and conflicts.
Prerequisites for admission
Preliminary knowledge required:
· Neopositivism
· Popper
· Kuhn
· Feyerabend
For those who know little about these authors, a preliminary study is required (see chaps. 1, 2 and 3 of the texbook Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2021), Sociologia della scienza e della tecnologia, Roma: Carocci)
· Neopositivism
· Popper
· Kuhn
· Feyerabend
For those who know little about these authors, a preliminary study is required (see chaps. 1, 2 and 3 of the texbook Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2021), Sociologia della scienza e della tecnologia, Roma: Carocci)
Teaching methods
· Proactive frontal lessons (i.e. no questions no lessons)
· Role-play
· Classroom discussions
· teamwork
· Role-play
· Classroom discussions
· teamwork
Teaching Resources
There are 4 different programs:
1) Attendee students, 6 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan, ll.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
2) NON-attendee students, 6 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
3) Attendee students, 9 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
4) NON-attendee students, 9 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
- Latour, B. (2018). Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime. England: Polity Press
1) Attendee students, 6 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan, ll.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
2) NON-attendee students, 6 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
3) Attendee students, 9 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
4) NON-attendee students, 9 CFU:
- Gobo, G. e Marcheselli, V. (2022), Science, Technology and Society, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Collins, Harry M. - Pinch, Trevor (1993), The golem: what everyone should know about science, Cambridge : Cambridge - University Press.
- Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press
- Latour, B. (2018). Down to Earth: Politics in the New Climatic Regime. England: Polity Press
Assessment methods and Criteria
· The exam will consist of a WRITTEN proof, with 1 question for each text.
· The duration of the exam will last 90 minutes.
· To pass the exam, you must obtain the sufficiency in all questions.
· For non-attendee students, the final grade will be the mean of the marks obtained in each question.
· For attendee students (the threshold for the attendee status is attending at least at the 80% of the lessons + role play), the score resulting from the group presentation of an own research will be added to the mark of the written test.
· The duration of the exam will last 90 minutes.
· To pass the exam, you must obtain the sufficiency in all questions.
· For non-attendee students, the final grade will be the mean of the marks obtained in each question.
· For attendee students (the threshold for the attendee status is attending at least at the 80% of the lessons + role play), the score resulting from the group presentation of an own research will be added to the mark of the written test.
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Monday from 10:30 to 12:30
office, second floor, cortile Ghiacciaia