Republic of the Philippines
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Preliminaries
Course Title : Science, Technology, and Society
No. of Units : 3 units
Course Description:
The course deals with interactions between science and technology and social, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape
and are shaped by them. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013)
This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by science and technology in society. Such
realities pervade the personal, the public, and the global aspects of our living and are integral to human development. Scientific
knowledge and technological development happen in the context of society with all its socio-political, cultural, economic, and
philosophical underpinnings at play. 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.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
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Science, Technology, and Society
Knowledge
1. Articulate the impacts of science and technology on society, specifically Philippine society
2. Explain how science and technology affect society and the environment and its role in nation-building
3. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to the
student as a part of society
4. Define and demonstrate the impact of social media on the students’ life and Philippine society in general
Values
1. Imbibe the importance of science and technology in the preservation of the environment and the development of the Filipino
nation
2. Critique human flourishing vis-à-vis the progress of science and technology such that the student may be able to define for
himself/herself the meaning of the good life
3. Foster the value of a healthy lifestyle toward the holistic and sustainable development of society and the environment
Skills
1. Creatively present the importance and contributions of science and technology to society
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to come up with innovative and creative solutions to
contemporary issues guided by ethical standards
3. Illustrate how the social media and information age impact their lives and their understanding of climate change
Number of Hours: 3 hours every week for 18 weeks or 54 hours in a semester
Course Outline and Timeframe
Week Topics
GENERAL CONCEPTSD AND STS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
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Science, Technology, and Society
1-3 Historical antecedents in which social considerations changed the course of science and technology
4 Intellectual revolutions that defined society
5-6 Science and technology and nation building
STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
7-8 The Human Person flourishing in terms of science and technology
9 The Good Life
10 When technology and humanity cross
11-12 Why the future does not need us
SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS
13 The Information Age
14-15 Biodiversity and the healthy society
16 The nano world
17-18 Gene therapy, Culminating Activity
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Science, Technology, and Society
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Learning Plan
Learning
Topic Method Resources Assessment
Outcomes
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Science, Technology, and Society
GRA DING PERIOD A. GENERAL CONCEPTS AND STS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
• Discuss the 1.Historical Lecture and • Philosophy of Science (Encyclopedia) Quiz (40 points)
interactions antecedents in discussion Scientific Progress, Scientific Revolutions
between S&T and which social • Floridi, Luciano. 2014. The Fourth
society considerations Activity: Revolution, Oxford University Press Graded recitation
throughout history changed the “Standing • Caoli. History of Science and Technology of (20 points)
course of on the the Philippines.
• Discuss how science and
technology shoulders of • Video: Stephen Colbert’s interview with Neil
scientific and Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch Group
technological Giants” presentation
v=YXh9RQCvxmg&noredirect=1
developments affect a. In the World: (40 points)
Ancient, Middle • Youtube: World’s Greatest Inventions (3
society and the
and Modern minutes)
environment 15 Creativity
Ages • Philippine Great Inventions
15 Content
• Identify the • Paul Anderson article: “More is Different” 1976 10 Learning
paradigm shifts in b. In the • https://explorable.com/scientificreductionism Impact
history Philippines • https://explorable.com/what-is-a-paradigm
• http://www.history.com/topics/enlightenmen
t/videos/mankind-the-story-of -all-of-
usscientific-revolution
• Kuhn , Structure of Scientific Revolution
Learning Outcomes
Topic Method Resources Assessment
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Science, Technology, and Society
Articulate ways by 2. Intellectual Lecture and • http://www.flowofhistory.com.readings Quiz (50 points)
which society is revolutions that Discussion • Flowcharts/revival-west/the-ageenlightenment
defined society • http://hti.osu.ed/scientific revolution/lesson Graded Activity
transformed by a. Copernican plans (30 points)
science and b. Darwinian • Powerpoint presentation on the individual
technology c. Freudian scholars and great works. Graded recitation
d. Information (20 points)
e. Meso-
American
f. Asian
g. Middle East
h. African
• Discuss the role of 3. Science and Small • Government Documents: 1. NEDA. National Group Project
Science and Technology and Group Development Agenda; Regional Agenda presentation
Technology in Nation Activity • Filipino Great Men and Women
Philippine nation Building • Great Filipino Inventions
building
• Evaluate a. The Philippine Discussion
government Government
policies pertaining S&T Agenda
to science and b. Major
technology in terms development
of their programs and
contributions to personalities in
nation building S&T in the
• Identify actual Philippines
science and c. Science
technology Education in the
policies of the Philippines
government and d. Selected
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Science, Technology, and Society
appraise their indigenous
impact on the science and
development of technologies
the
Filipino nation
GRADING PERIOD B. STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Learning
Topic Method Resources Assessment
Outcomes
Analyze the The Human Reflection, The Question Concerning Technology by
human condition Person flourishing Discussion Martin Heidegger
in terms of science
in order to deeply
and technology A Return to the Beginning by Daniel J.
reflect and McNamara, SJ, in Stellar Origins, Human Ways
express Technology as a (2011)
philosophical Way of Revealing
ramifications that
are meaningful to
the student as a
part of society
Critique human Human flourishing Discussion • Movie Clip (YouTube): The Magician’s Twin: Group Presentation
flourishing vis- CS Lewis and the case against Scientism on how technology
àvis the progress • Film: Akiro Kurosawa’s Dreams “Village of the reveals nature and
of science and Watermills” the human
technology so • Forget ‘developing’ rich countries, it’s time to person’s role in it
that the suident ‘de-develop’ rich countries. By Jason Hickel
can define for http://www.theguardian.com/globaldevelopment-
himself/herself
professionals-
the meaning of
network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-
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Science, Technology, and Society
the good life countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs
Sustainable Development: An Evolving
Paradigm for the 21st Century by Fabian Dayrit in
Stellar Origins, Human Ways (2011)
Learning
Outcomes Topic Method Resources Assessment
Examine shared The Good Life Lecture and • Book VI and Bk X Nichomachean ethics of Case Study:
concerns that Discussion Aristotle Production and
• What Is and What should be the role of Consumption of
make up the good
scientific culture in modern society – Richard sugars
life in order to Feynman in the Pleasure of Finding Things
come up with Out: The Best Short Works of Richard
innovative, Feynman 1999 Perseus Books. USA pp97115
creative solutions • The Concepts of the Public Good: A View from
to contemporary the Filipino Philosopher by Rolando Gripaldo in
the Making of a Filipino
issues guided by
Philosopher and Other Essays, 2009,
ethical standards National Bookstore pp 82-101
• Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing in
Ethics and Human Dignity by Christopher
Ryan Maboloc). Manila, 2010. Rex
Bookstore pp 15-23
• That Sugar Film (2015) (documentary) Ppt:
towards a green economy: pathways to
sustainable development and poverty
eradication–UNEP
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Science, Technology, and Society
Learning Topic Method Resources Assessment
Outcomes
Examine human When technology Reflection • The ethical dilemmas of robotics
rights in order to and humanity and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/64323
uphold such cross Discussion 07, stm
rights in • Is Google Making Us Stupid? 2008. Nicholas
Carr
technological
http://www/theatlantic.com/magazine/archive
ethical dilemmas /2008/07/Is google making us stupid/306868/?
Evaluate Why does the Reflection • Why The Future Doesn’t Need Us (2000) – Bill Case Study:
contemporary future not need and Joy, Chief Scientist and Corporate Executive WAZE
human us? discussion Officer of Sun Microsystems
experience in http://www.cc.gatech.edu/computing/nano/d
order to ocuments
strengthen and • Movie: “A I”
enlighten the Isaac Asimov, “I Robot”
human person
functioning in
society
Section Exam: Group Group
Find and examine Work Presentation
local government : Content and
Relevance - 30%
policies that
Analysis - 40%
protect the Creativity &
wellbeing of the teamwork - 30%
person in the face -----------
of new 100%
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Science, Technology, and Society
technologies
Grading Period C. SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS
Learning
Outcomes Topic Methodolo Resources Assessment
gy
• Link learned The information Presentation • Book: “Alan Turing: The Enigma” (Andrew Book Report
concepts to the Age (Gutenberg to and Hodges and Douglas Hofstadter)
development of Social media) Discussion • TEDTalk: Julian Assange on “Why the World Activity Report: A
the information Needs Wikileaks” day without
age and its • Activity Report: A day without Technology Technology
impact on society • Activity Report: Timing your Technology
• Activity Report: Technology and Past Activity Report:
• Illustrate how the (interviews with elders) Timing your
social media and • Nature’s Longest Threads by Janaki Technology
the information Balakrishnan and B V Sreekantan Activity Report:
age have Technology and
• How we decide by Jonah Lehrer
impacted our lives Past (interviews
• Information: The new language of science
with elders)
(Hans Christian von Baeyer)
• Philippine Science and Technology:
Economic, Political and Social Events Shaping
Their Development (Socorro M. Rodriguez,
1996)
• Germ Catcher (David J. Ecker, Scientific
American, 2014)
• Physics of the Future: How science will shape
human destiny and our daily lives by the year
2100 (Michio Kaku, Doubleday,
2011)
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Science, Technology, and Society
•Determine the Biodiversity and Presentati Life and Biodiversity ppt. Graded recitation/
interrelatednes the Healthy on and Evolution and biodiversity debate
s of society, Society Discussion Ecoscience-Biodiversity: an overview
environment, Article: “The politics of golden Rice”
and Genetically (Dubock, Adrian GM Crops & Food.
health Modified
Organisms: JulSep2014, Vol5 Issue 3 p 210-222 13p.)
•Discuss the Science, Health, Article: “Ethics in Research with Vulnerable
ethics and and Politics Populations and Emerging Countries: The
implications of Golden Rice Case.” (Duguet, Anne Marie
GMOs and et.
potential future al., Journal of International Law and
impacts Commercial Regulations. Summer 2013,
Vol. 38 Issue 4, p979-1013, 35p)
Agroecology: What it is and what it has to
offer?
Is this the future of farming?
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Science, Technology, and Society
• Discuss the major The Nano World Presentation • TEDTalk: Ray Kurzwell on “How
impacts (both and Technology Will Transform Us”
potential and Discussion • Article: “Nanoethics: The ethical and Social
realized} of Implications of Nanotechnology” (Patrick
nanotechnology on Lin and Fritz Allhoff, Hoboken, New Jersey:
society John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2007) Article:
• Analyze the issue “Environmental Impacts of
through the Nanotechnology and Its Products” (Zhang
conceptual STS et. Al Proceedings of the 2011 Midwest
lenses Section Conference of the American
• Critique the issue Society for Engineering Education, 2011)
on its costs and • Ppt: Can we build a culture of science
benefits to through nanotechnology? By Fabian M.
society Dayrit (2013)
• Describe gene Gene therapy Presentati • Youtube: Science Friction: Stem Cell
therapy and its (stem Cells) on and Research
various forms Discussion • TEDTalk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells
• Assess the issue’s Not Organs”
potential benefits • TED Talk: Juan Enriquez on “the Next
and detriments to Species of Human”
global health
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Science, Technology, and Society
• Identify the causes Mandated Topics: Presenta- • YouTube: or Book “An inconvenient Truth: Group
of climate tion and The Planetary Emergency of Global presentation and
change 1. Climate Change Discussion Warming and What we can Do About It” (Al discussion
• Assess the various and the Energy Gore)
impacts of climate Crisis • Book: “The Future: Six Drivers of Global Learning
change including Change” (Al Gore) application:
economic, 2. Environmental • Report: “ Changing the Atmosphere: weather control
geopolitical, Awareness Anthropology and Climate Change” (NCAR)
biological,
• BUHOS: A Climate Change Documentary
meteorological, etc. Other Topics: by
• Apply STS
Loren Legarda
concepts to the Alternative Energy
issue of climate Resources ( e.g. • Article: “ The Tragedy of the Commons” by
O-tech Ocean Garrett Hardin
change
Thermal Energy • Article: “Scientists tackle mystery of
Conversion) thunderstorms that strike at night” (NCAR)
Article: “Reigning in the Weather”
(Webster, Donovan, Discover, 02747529.
Jun2008, Vol. 29, Issue 6)
Research, present, Culminating Presentation Final Exam
and make a stand on Activity and Final and group Content and
S&T issues that Exam work Relevance 30%
currently affect
Philippine society Analysis 40%
Creativity &
teamwork 30%
____
100%
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Science, Technology, and Society
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Course Map
Science,
G.E. Learning Outcomes Technology, and
Society
A. INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES (Knowledge)
1. Analyze “texts” (written, visual, oral , etc.) critically L
2. Demonstrate proficient and effective communication (writing, speaking, and use of new technologies) L
3. Use basic concepts across the domains of knowledge L
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Science, Technology, and Society
4. Demonstrate critical, analytical, and creative thinking L
5. Apply different analytical modes in problem solving L
B. PERSONAL AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES (Values)
1. Appreciate the complexity of the human condition
2. Interpret the human experience from various perspectives O
3. Examine the contemporary world from both Philippine and global perspectives O
4. Take responsibility for knowing and being Filipino O
5. Reflect critically on shared concerns O
6. Generate innovative practices and solutions guided by ethical standards O
7. Make decisions based on moral norms and imperatives O
8. Appreciate various art forms
9. Contribute to aesthetics O
10. Contribute personally and meaningfully to the country’s development O
C. PRACTICAL SKILLS (Skills)
1. Work effectively in a group O
2. Apply computing tools to process information effectively L
3. Use current technology to assist and facilitate learning and research L
4. Negotiate the world of technology responsibly P
5. Create solutions to problems in various fields P
6. Manage one’s knowledge, skills, and values for responsible and productive living O
7. Organize one’s self for lifelong learning O
Legend:
L = Learned
P = Practiced
O = Opportunity to learn
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Science, Technology, and Society
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY Required Readings and Other Materials
• Anderson, Philip W. “More is Different—One More Time,” in More is Different: Fifty Years of Condensed Matter Physics, ed. N.
Phuan Ong and Ravin N. Bhatt, Princeton University Press, 2001.
• Balakrishnan, Janaki and B V Sreekantan, eds. Nature’s Longest Threads: New Frontiers in the Mathematics and Physics of
Information in Biology, World Scientific, 2014.
• Caoli, Olivia. “A History of Science and Technology of the Philippines,” in Analysis of Conditions for National Scientific and
Technological Self-Reliance: The Philippine Situation, Quezon City: University of the Philippines, 1986.
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Science, Technology, and Society
• Dayrit, Fabian. “Sustainable Development: An Evolving Paradigm for the 21 st Century,” in Stellar Origins, Human Ways:
Readings in Science, Technology, and Society, ed. Ma. Assunta Cuyegkeng, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University
Press, 2011.
• Ecker, David J. Germ Catcher, Scientific American, 2014.
• Floridi, Luciano. The Fourth Revolution: How the Infosphere is Reshaping Human Reality, Oxford University Press, 2014.
• Feynman, Richard. “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: What Is and What should be the role of scientific culture in modern
society” in The Best Short Works of Richard Feynman, pp. 97–115, Perseus Books,1999.
• Gripaldo, Rolando. “The Concepts of the Public Good: A View from the Filipino Philosopher” in The Making of a Filipino
Philosopher and Other Essays, pp. 82-100, National Bookstore, 2009.
• Heidegger, Martin. The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays, HarperCollins, 1982.
• Hickel, Jason. “Forget ‘developing’ poor countries, it’s time to ‘de-develop’ rich countries,” The Guardian, Online:
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-
richcountries-sdgs.
• Lehrer, Jonah. How We Decide, Mariner Books, 2010.
• Maboloc, Christopher Ryan. “Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing” in Ethics and Human Dignity, 15-23, Rex Bookstore, 2010.
• McNamara, Daniel J. in “A Return to the Beginning,” in Stellar Origins, Human Ways: Readings in Science, Technology, and
Society, ed. Ma. Assunta Cuyegkeng, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press , 2011.
• Rodriguez, Socorro M. “Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political and Social Events Shaping Their Development,”
1996
• Von Baeyer, Hans Christian, Information: The New Language of Science, Harvard University Press, 2005.
Suggested Readings
• Agro-ecology: What it is and what it has to offer? Is this the future of farming?
• Alan Turing: The Enigma” (Andrew Hodges and Douglas Hofstadter)
• Aristotle, Nichomachean ethics, Book VI and Book X
• Article: “Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its Products” (Zhang et. Al Proceedings of the 2011 Midwest Section
Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, 2011)
• Article: “Nanoethics: The ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology” (Patrick Lin and Fritz Allhoff, Hoboken, New Jersey:
John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 2007)
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• Flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment
o http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment/fc97
http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment/fc98
http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment/fc99
http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment/fc100
http://www.flowofhistory.com/readings-flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment/fc100a
http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/west/15/FC101 http://www.flowofhistory.com/%5Bmenupathalias
%5D/fc102 http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/west/15/FC103
• Government Documents: 1. NEDA. National Development Agenda; Regional Agenda
o http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/GAA/GAA2015/GAA%202015%20Volume%20I/NEDA/NEDA.pdf
http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/OPCCB/OPIF_2007/neda3.pdf
• Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolution
(http://projektintegracija.pravo.hr/_download/repository/Kuhn_Structure_of_Scientific_Revolutions.pdf)
• Philosophy of Science (Encyclopedia). Scientific Progress, Scientific Revolutions
(http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/scientificprogress/#SciPro) (http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Philosophy_of_science.aspx#3)
(http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Scientific_Revolutions.aspx#3)
• Physics of the Future: How science will shape human destiny and our daily lives by the year 2100 (Michio Kaku, Doubleday,
2011)
• Article: “The politics of Golden Rice” (Dubock, Adrian GM Crops & Food. Jul-Sep2014, Vol5 Issue 3 p 210-222 13p.)
Website/Videos/Film Clips
• Dayrit, Fabian M. Ppt: Can we build a culture of science through nanotechnology? (2013)
• Film: Akiro Kurosawa’s Dreams “Village of the Watermills”
• http://www.history.com/topics/enlightenment/videos/mankind-the-story-of -all-of-us-scientific-revolution
• http://www.flowofhistory.com.readings
• http://hti.osu.ed/scientific revolution/lesson plans
• http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-
richcountries-sdgs
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6432307 , stm, The ethical dilemmas of robotics
• http://www/theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/Is google making us stupid/306868/ , Is Google Making Us Stupid? 2008.
Nicholas Carr
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Science, Technology, and Society
• http://www.cc.gatech.edu/computing/nano/documents , Why The Future Doesn’t Need Us (2000) – Bill Joy, Chief Scientist and
Corporate Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems
• https://explorable.com/scientific-reductionism
• https://explorable.com/what-is-a-paradigm
• Movie: “A I” Isaac Asimov, “I Robot
• Movie Clip (youtube): The Magician’s Twin: CS Lewis and the case against Scientism
• Martin Heidegger, The Question Concerning Technology
• UNEP, That Sugar Film (2015) (documentary) Ppt: towards a green economy: pathways to sustainable development and poverty
eradication
• Video: Stephen Colbert’s interview with Neil Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YXh9RQCvxmg&noredirect=1
• Youtube: World’s Greatest Inventions (3 minutes)
• Youtube: Science Friction: Stem Cell Research
• TED Talk: Juan Enriquez on “The Next Specieis of Human”
• TEDTalk: Julian Assange on “Why the World Needs Wikileaks”
• TED Talk: Ray Kurzwell on “How Technology Will Transform Us”
• TEDTalk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells Not Organs”
Class Materials
• Activity Report: A day without Technology
• Activity Report: Timing your Technology
• Activity Report: Technology and Past (interviews with elders)
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Science, Technology, and Society
