Values, Technology and Society Minor

Humanities Program

Faculty Office Building (Bldg. 47) Room 32

805 756-2597

The purpose of the minor is to increase understanding of how technology shapes and influences modern life. Students will develop an increased understanding of the social, environmental, economic and political implications of technology in the twenty-first century. They will be able to think critically about the intellectual, moral, and historical issues that technological developments pose for the future of humankind.

The courses in the minor provide an overview of technological issues, with an emphasis on the impacts technology has on organizations and society. Technology's impact on society is examined from a values and public policy perspective. Students will be able to tailor their minor program to focus on specific issues through the selection of electives in technology, society, and values areas. The minor is available to students throughout the University regardless of students' technical backgrounds.

Required Courses

ENGR 302 Transportation and Manufacturing in the Twenty-First Century (4) (F)
HUM 303 Values and Technology (4) (C4)
IME 320 Human Factors and Technology (4) (F)
PHIL 321 Philosophy of Science (4) (C4) or PHIL 322 Philosophy of Technology (4) (C4)

Elective Courses:

Select 12 units, at least one from each category

Technology:

AERO 310 Air and Space (4) (F)
BRAE 348 Energy for a Sustainable Society (4) (F)
CSC 302 Computers and Society (4) (F)
HIST 354 History of Network Technology (4) (F)
ME 321 Solar Energy (4) (F)
PSC 307 Nuclear Weapons in the Post-9/11 World (4) (F)
PSC 320 Energy, Society and the Environment (4) (F)

Society:

ANT 360 Human Cultural Adaptations (4) (D5)
CRP 211 Cities: Form, Culture and Evolution (4)
POLS 320 Comparative Political Analysis (4)
POLS 451 Technology and Public Policy (4)
PSY 311 Environmental Psychology (4) (D5)
PSY 494 Psychology of Technological Change (4)

Philosophy and Values:

ENVE 330 Environmental Quality Control (4)
GEOG 333 Human Impact on the Earth (4)
HIST 359 Living in a Material World (4) (F)
HUM 302 Human Values in Agriculture (4) (F)
PHIL 339 Biomedical Ethics (4) (C4)
PHIL 340 Environmental Ethics (4) (C4)

MINOR IN VALUES, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY FORM