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Requirements + Courses

Due to its interdisciplinary nature, students in STS are encouraged to take tutorials in fields pertaining to areas of interest for such projects, but should plan ahead so that they have taken any introductory courses in an area where they may later need to take a specific tutorial. 

Requirements

Reading competence in a foreign language or further science, mathematics, or computing coursework is strongly recommended. 

  • Moderation Requirements
    To moderate, students in STS must take:
    1. Two courses in the Division of Science, Mathematics, and Computing (not including Science History and Philosophy courses cross-listed with STS)
    2. Two core STS courses.
    3. A written description of the student's specific plan of study in the Upper College and the particular sequence of courses the student is interested in. Slight modification of the core requirements (e.g. a two-course math sequence) could be considered at this point.
    4. Moderation at the same time as Moderation into the “primary” division is encouraged, although this can also be accomplished at a different time.
    The student’s plan for a sequence of courses at Moderation is of particular importance in such established fields of interest within STS as “History and Philosophy of Science” and “Nonfiction Science Education and Documentation.” In these cases, students are required to complete particular key courses in the program.
  • General Graduation Requirements
    To graduate, students must take
    1. One two-course sequence in a basic science (AP science courses may count toward this requirement);
    2. Two additional courses in the Science, Mathematics, and Computing Division;
    3. Two elective STS cross-listed courses, one outside the student’s home division; and
    4. A methodology course (usually in policy analysis or statistics) is recommended but not required.
    5. They must also complete a Senior Project informed by themes relating to the social role of science and technology. A Senior Project in biology and STS, for instance, might look at a particular biological problem of epidemiology along with the economic, political, or public health dimension of disease prevention surrounding that disease.
    Due to its nature as a concentration, it is assumed that for many students their 'home' program already covers some of these requirements.

Current and Core Courses

The following courses form the present list of the 'core' courses from which students could draw to develop an STS program

  • ECON 265 Development from the Ground Up, Prof. DeSilva
  • HIST / PSY 172 History of Medicine and Psychiatry
  • HIST 161 Introduction to the History of Technology and Socio-Technical Systems, Prof. Moynahan
  • HIST 251 Knowledge and Society in the Scientific Revolution, Prof. Stroup
  • PHIL 220 Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, Prof. Shein
  • SHP 224 History of Science in the Post-War Period (1950-2000)
  • SHP 222 History of Science Before Newton, NS. 222 (3000 B.C.E. to 1700)
  • SHP 223 History of Science in the Modern Period (1700-1950)
  • SHP 227 Philosophy of Science


Senior Projects

Senior projects in STS are focused on the requirements of the primary program area, and thus will principally be written or artistic products, or laboratory investigations. Senior Projects should, however, contain broader questions raised by STS. Such questions might include: How can developments in science and technology best be conveyed to the public or understood aesthetically? Can or should society or government control the development of technology or 'big science'? How do professional expectations, funding, or cultural norms influence particular research programs or laboratory situations? A senior project in biology and STS, for instance, might look not only at a particular biological problem of epidemiology, but at the economic, political or public health dimension of disease prevention surrounding the specific disease.

Contacting STS

Address: Bard College, PO Box 5000, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
Phone: 845-758-7296 | E-mail: [email protected]
Paul Cadden-Zimansky  Phone: 845-758-7584 Email: [email protected] 
Greg Moynahan Phone: 845-758-7296 E-mail: [email protected]