STS: Signs and Objects

This course focuses on how artifacts/technology and society is developed in co-dependency and thus how they change. A series of concrete examples from the 20th century is used to emphasize this. In this vein the course covers the relationship between innovation and design, consumption, the relationship between art, architecture and technological change and the interaction between science, technology and environment.

Students of this course have knowledge of:

• central paths of development of the Norwegian and international scientific history
• important developments and discussions related to Norwegian and international environmental policy
• processes of innovation with focus on users, consumption and large technological systems
• the development of modern consumerism and the relationship between product development, design and use of artifacts and technologies

Students of this course are skilled at:

• analyzing controversies related to science and technology
• analyzing how technology and science enters into processes of cultural change
• analyzing ethical problems regarding science, technology, nature, environment and culture
• gain knowledge of certain issues and communicate insights in different formats

The course is based on lectures, dialogue and work in groups. Two obligatory tasks must be approved before the exam.

Exam assignment at he end of semester

Exam and obligatory tasks can be delivered individually or as a group.