Science, Technology, and Society Minor

The STS minor introduces students to sociotechnical issues pertinent to the research, development, testing, and implementation of emerging and existing technologies and engineered systems, and gives students resources for managing their impacts in socially responsible ways

Engineering practices, and the design, development, and management of existing and emerging technologies have the potential to significantly alter our quality and way of life. Scientific and technological endeavors often hold tremendous potential for addressing pressing social problems, yet involve risks, uncertainties, unforeseen consequences, or have negative impacts for some social groups. Needed are engineers, business leaders, and policymakers who are capable of critically analyzing, understanding, and taking responsibility for the social, cultural, economic, and ecological impacts of such endeavors. 

STS Minor Curriculum

Elective courses not listed as approved maybe submitted for consideration.
 

For questions about the minor please contact Prof. MC Forelle (STS minor advisor) mcf7sc@virginia.edu.
 

Students in the STS minor will take 18 course credits to fulfill the Minor’s requirements. 6 of those credits are from required courses, while 12 are from electives. 
 

Minor double-counting restrictions
While the STS Minor includes significant overlap with the Tech Ethics Minor also offered by the Department of Engineering & Society, students may not double-count courses completed for one minor toward the completion of the other. Consequently, students may only declare the Tech Ethics Minor or the STS Minor, but not both.
 

CLAS students
Before declaring a minor in STS, CLAS students must meet with the Director of the Minor to plan course selections that will align with the requirements of the College.
 

  • STS 2101 - Social Foundations Engineering Credits: 3
  • STS 3300 - STS Research Methods Credits: 3

STS Electives

Six of the 12 elective credits may come from outside the E&S department.

  • STS 2050 - Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems Credits: 3
  • STS 2070 - Technology and Disability Credits: 3
  • STS 2500 - Science and Technology in Social and Global Context Credits: 3

     Approved Topic: The LEGO Course: Engineering Design and Values
     Approved Topic: Technology and the Frankenstein Myth
     Approved Topic: Science, Technology, and Environment
     Approved Topic: Slavery as a Sociotechnical System
     Approved Topic: Science & Technology in Popular Culture
     Approved Topic: Cross-Cultural Engineering
     Approved Topic: Jefferson, Wine, & Democracy

  • STS 2620 - Science and Technology Public Policy Credits: 3
  • STS 3020 - Science and Technology Policy for Interns Credits: 3
  • STS 3500 - Advanced Topics in Technology and Society Credits: 1 to 4

     Approved Topic: Matters of Race in Engineering & Technology

  • STS 5500 Topics in Technology and Society Credits: 1-3

     Approved Topic: Matters of Race in Engineering & Technology

  • STS 6592 -  How Engineering Impacts Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Credits: 3

Approved non-STS Electives

  • ANTH 2280 - Medical Anthropology Credits: 3
  • ANTH 2620 - Sex, Gender, and Culture Credits: 3
  • ANTH 3275 - The Corporation: History, Culture, Capital Credits: 3
  • ARCH 2150 - Global Sustainability Credits: 3
  • ARCH 5114 - Sustainability and Systems in the Built Environment Credits: 3
  • DS 2003 - Communicating with Data Credits: 3
  • MDST 3105 - Latina/o Media Studies Credits: 3
  • MDST 3430 - Rendering AI: Cinema and Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
  • SOC 2280 - Medical Sociology Credits: 3
  • SOC 2442 - Systems of Inequality Credits: