STS-UY 2264/W Addressing Public Policy Issues in the Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

4 Credits

This course explores public-policy issues on critical and often controversial questions in science (e.g., cap-and-trade, global warming, LEDs as lighting sources, biofuels, spectrum allocation), medicine (e.g., embryonic stemcell research, national health care, genetic therapy, workplace risks of nanotechnology), and technology (e.g., off-shore drilling, biotechnology, clean coal, nuclear energy, “smart” power). Students will select areas in which to specialize and will be required to submit a white paper on one of these major issues. The report will be based on library research and face-to-face interviews with experts in the field. As students draft sections of their white papers, they will submit them for class discussion and they will meet periodically with the instructor to review their progress.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of first year writing requirements
Note: Satisfies a Humanities and Social Sciences Elective.