Course proposals sought for STS program

The Science, Technology and Society Program (STS) is seeking proposals from members of the faculty in the School of Humanities and Sciences and in the School of Engineering for the development of new undergraduate entry- or advanced-level courses concerned with science and/or technology in society.

Up to two proposals will be funded in 2004-05. Each will receive a grant of $10,000, to be paid as a salary supplement or placed in the recipient's research account. Selection criteria are as follows:

• STS character of the proposed course;
• Innovative character of the course (it should not duplicate any existing STS course -- see Stanford Bulletin 2003-04, pages 571-575);
• Likelihood that the course will become a part of the proposer's regular teaching (course can be listed in the proposer's home department as well as in STS and should be taught at least in alternate years);
• Intellectual value-adding contribution of the course to the STS Core or Thematic Concentration offerings in the STS major (see Stanford Bulletin 2003-04, page 571).

Proposals also are welcome to develop a new version of STS 200 (senior colloquium), a weekly seminar in the STS Core required of senior STS majors, which is taught in Winter and Spring quarters and devoted to reading classic or recent seminal works in the STS area (albeit tailored to the instructor's interests).

Course proposals should be two to three pages and include a working title and course description. A description of the course's intellectual focus, purpose, sample themes and readings and, if possible, a general course outline are useful.

Please send proposals to: 2004-05 Course Development Project, STS Program, Building 370, Room 109, MC 2120. (Proposals also may be sent via e-mail to mcginn@stanford.edu.)

Proposals must be received by April 1. Grant recipients will be notified by April 15. For more information, contact Professor Robert McGinn at 725-0117 or mcginn@stanford.edu.