SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
GESTS01X
Presented By:
Sir Mark P. Lagman, LPT, MIT

[email protected]
The Course Description
This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the
realities brought about by science and technology in society.
This course seeks to instill reflective knowledge in the students
that they are able to live the good life and display ethical
decision making in the face of scientific and technological
advancement. This course includes mandatory topics on climate
change and environmental awareness.

STS seeks to understand the complex relationships

between these domains and their impact on human
life and the world at large.
 Course Outline
Week 1 Week 8
Class Orientation The nature of science controversies
Biodiversity and
Environmental Sustainability
Week 2 - 3 Climate Change
STS: The Antecedents
Human Flourishing Week 9-10
The Good Life e-Learning
e-Government and e-governance (Philippine
Week 4 - 5 Settings)
Paradigm shift and scientific revolutions Technology and humanity crossientation
Disruptive innovations

Week 11 - 12
Week 6 - 7 Final Project Presentation
Components
Formatting
Sample Work
What is STS?
• Science, Technology, and Society
(STS) is an interdisciplinary field that
investigates how science and
technology affect society and vice
versa.
• It examines the mutual influence
between scientific research,
technological developments, and
social processes.
 Historical Perspective
Early Influences:
• Ancient innovations (e.g., agriculture, the
wheel)
• The Renaissance and the Scientific
Revolution
• Industrial Revolution (Transformations in
manufacturing, transportation, and
communication)
• Modern Era (The digital age, biotechnology,
and the information revolution)
 Ancient Innovations
1. The Wheel (c. 3500 BCE)
• Origin: Mesopotamia
• Significance: Revolutionized transportation and machinery. Early wheels
were initially used for pottery, but their design was later adapted for carts
and chariots, transforming trade and warfare.

2. Agricultural Innovations (c. 8000 BCE - 3000 BCE)

• Plowing: The development of the plow allowed for more efficient
cultivation of land.
Irrigation Systems: Ancient civilizations, such as those in Egypt and
Mesopotamia, developed complex irrigation techniques to manage water
resources and improve crop yields.
Ancient Innovations
3. Writing Systems (c. 3200 BCE)
• Cuneiform: Developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, this
system used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
• Hieroglyphics: Used by the ancient Egyptians, hieroglyphics
combined logographic and alphabetic elements for recording
events and religious texts.

4. The Pyramids (c. 2700 - 2500 BCE)

• Location: Egypt
Significance: The construction of the pyramids, particularly the Great
Pyramid of Giza, demonstrated advanced knowledge in engineering,
mathematics, and labor organization.
Ancient Innovations
5. The Antikythera Mechanism (c. 100 BCE)
• Origin: Ancient Greece
• Significance: Often considered the first analog computer, this
device was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for
calendrical and astrological purposes.

6. Greek Philosophy and Science (c. 600 BCE - 300 BCE)

Contributions: Thinkers like Pythagoras, Aristotle, and Archimedes
made significant advances in mathematics, physics, and natural
philosophy. Archimedes, for example, formulated principles of
buoyancy and the lever.
 Ancient Innovations
7. Roman Engineering (c. 500 BCE - 400 CE)
• Aqueducts: Roman aqueducts were crucial for transporting water across long distances,
supporting urban development and sanitation.
• Concrete: The Romans developed a form of concrete that was durable and could set
underwater, which allowed for the construction of impressive structures like the
Pantheon.

8. Chinese Innovations (c. 2000 BCE - 1000 CE)

• Papermaking (c. 105 CE): Cai Lun, a Chinese official, is credited with improving the
papermaking process, which significantly impacted record-keeping and education.
• Gunpowder (9th century CE): Invented by Chinese alchemists, gunpowder had profound
effects on warfare and technology.
 Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution, spanning from the late 18th to the early 19th century, was a
period of profound economic, technological, and social transformation. It marked a shift from
agrarian economies to industrialized and urbanized societies.
Activity 1
How do science and technology influence societal values,
and how, in turn, do societal values shape scientific
research and technological development? Provide historical
and contemporary examples to illustrate this dynamic
relationship.

How do new green building technologies change the way

we think about and use buildings, and how do our
environmental values influence how architects use these
technologies?
The Modern Era of STS
The modern era of Science, Technology, and Society
(STS) studies explores the complex interactions
between scientific knowledge, technological
advancements, and societal values. This
interdisciplinary field examines how science and
technology shape society and, in turn, how societal
needs and ethical considerations influence scientific
research and technological innovation.

Key themes in the modern era of STS include:

• Ethical Implications
• Public Engagements
• Globalization and Inequality
• Innovation and Sustainability
• The Role of Experts
• Technopolitics
ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS
STS scholars study the ethical issues surrounding emerging
technologies like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and
surveillance systems. This includes discussions about privacy,
consent, and the potential for misuse.

In an increasingly interconnected world, data privacy and security

have become paramount. Technology companies collect vast
amounts of personal data, raising concerns about how that data is
used, stored, and protected. Ethical questions arise regarding
transparency, consent, and the responsible handling of user data.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS
The role of public opinion and participation in scientific and
technological decision-making is increasingly emphasized. This
includes citizen science initiatives, public consultations, and the
democratization of knowledge.

Public engagement with science describes intentional, meaningful

interactions that provide opportunities for mutual learning between
scientists and members of the public.
GLOBALIZATIONS
It examines how technology affects global inequalities, such as access
to healthcare, education, and digital resources. It also looks at how
scientific and technological advancements are distributed unequally
across different regions and social groups.

One of the most potent aspects of modern globalization is the growth

of multicentric scientific and technological projects in different
disciplines, because science does not have any borders or limits, and it
can play a huge role in promoting economic growth and unity for all.

INNOVATIONS
The field addresses the challenges of balancing technological
innovation with sustainable development. This includes analyzing
the environmental impact of new technologies and exploring ways
to create sustainable technological solutions.

All phenomena are the result of science and technology, whether

smartphones, fans, tyres, automobiles, fabric, paper,
toothbrushes, power, microwave, automobiles, radio, television,
laptop computers, etc. Numerous scientific and technological
contributions have assisted us in saving time and money.
THE EXPERTS
Explores the changing role of experts in society, particularly in an era
where misinformation is prevalent, and the authority of scientific
knowledge is often questioned.

Specialized experts can provide validation and quality assurance for

research and innovation projects. Their expertise allows them to assess
the rigor, reliability, and validity of research methodologies,
experimental designs, and data analysis techniques.

TECHNOPOLITICS
Technology intertwined with power dynamics, including how
technological systems can reinforce or challenge existing political
structures

It is how technology and politics influence each other. It looks at

how the design, use, and control of technology can affect power
structures in society. Technopolitics helps us understand how
technological tools can be used to gain power, control people, or
challenge existing authorities.
Ethical implications of new
technologies (AI, biotechnology,
etc.).
AI heavily relies on vast amounts of data, often of a
personal and sensitive nature. The widespread
adoption of AI raises concerns regarding data
privacy and security. Individuals may unknowingly
divulge personal information to AI systems, which
could potentially be exploited or misused.

Biotechnology is a branch of science that combines

biology and technology with the aim of improving
people's quality of life. It uses living cells or any of
their components to develop products with specific
aims.
Digital Revolution and STS
It refers to the rapid advancement and
widespread adoption of digital technologies,
such as computers, the internet, and mobile
devices, which have transformed how we
communicate, work, and live. In STS, the
digital revolution is studied to understand its
effects on society, culture, politics, and the
economy.
Artificial Intelligence and
Automation
AI and automation have distinct purposes.
Automation executes predefined tasks, reducing
manual intervention and enhancing efficiency. AI,
incorporating machine learning and advanced
algorithms, learns from data, adapts, and makes
decisions without explicit programming.

AI enables technical systems to perceive their

environment, deal with what they perceive, solve
problems and act to achieve a specific goal.
Climate Change and Technoscience

Analyze how scientific knowledge about climate

change is produced, how technologies related to
climate change are developed and implemented, and
how society responds to and is impacted by these
changes. This interdisciplinary approach helps to
understand the complex relationships between climate
science, technological innovation, policy-making, and
societal values.
Global Health and Pandemics
Global health and pandemics, when studied through
the lens of STS, reveal the intricate connections
between science, technology, and society. By
understanding these relationships, STS provides
valuable insights into how we can better prepare for
and respond to global health crises, ensuring that
responses are scientifically sound, ethically just, and
socially inclusive. This approach also highlights the
importance of considering the broader social context in
which pandemics occur and the need for
interdisciplinary solutions to complex global health
challenges.
THANK
YOU
GOD
BLESS