Photo by JJ Ying, Unsplash
MOD compiled by: Prof IJ van der Walt
Copyright © 2019 edition. Review date 2023.
North-West University (NWU)
WORD OF WELCOME
WVNS 221 or WVIS 321 is presented once you have completed the module WVNS 211 or WVTS 211. In these modules, we deal with the so-called “generic” or “critical” outcomes set by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), as well as the Senate of the University for all undergraduate training at the North-West University.
It is hoped that you will find the module both valuable and interesting and that it will prepare you to be able to adapt successfully to your future work environment.
WVNS 221 is offered in the second semester of the second year of study in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. WVIS 321 is offered in the second semester of the third year of study in the Engineering Faculty. The content of the module is identical in these two faculties. Successful completion of this module is a prerequisite for any degree that is awarded in the respective faculties.
There are a number of lecturers from a number of subject disciplines that cooperate in presenting the module to you. Obviously, your initial point of contact is your own lecturer. Since the lecturer corps/body varies from one year to the next, you will receive an additional page via e-mail soon after registration. On the page there will be an indication of your curriculum code, your specific lecturer, as well as the room in which you will be required to attend the lectures. The responsibility to report at the correct room is entirely your own.
MODULE INFORMATION
Science, Technology and Society [STS]
This is a 12 credit module. This implies that you must spend a total of 120 hours to master the outcomes of this module successfully.
The NQF level is 6.
Prerequisites
- Are a Natural Sciences or Engineering student who, on completion of your studies at the NWU, would like to compete with the best globally;
- Are interested not only in the questions pertaining to “how?” and “why?” and “for what?” issues in the natural sciences and technology;
- Have access to a computer with eFundi, internet and email facilities for the entire duration of the module, all of which requirements are essential since they constitute the main means of communication between you and the lecturers; and
- Have access to the Ferdinand Postma Library, whether by means of personal visits or via the internet.
Additional resources or requirements to complete module successfully
In order to master all of the outcomes, you need particular resources, namely:
- Learning contents that will be made available on eFundi;
- your own prescientific paradigms (existing experiences and the sum total of prescientific and technological knowledge);
- your study guide;
- the guidance of your lecturer or facilitator; and
- the practical workbook or students’ notes that are included.
The successful mastering of the outcomes of this module will require more than the mere gathering and memorisation of knowledge. You will also be required to participate actively in a variety of types of individual and/or group activities such as, for instance, research, reflection, problem solving, summarising of ideas, preparation for and attendance of contact sessions, class discussions, class tests, a semester test, as well as the writing of papers on selected topics. All these activities are taken into account for assessment purposes.
You are advised to keep a record of your initial reactions to or thoughts regarding the learning contents in order to discuss these with your fellow students or lecturer in order to clarify anything that you may find unclear. You will, in this way, be able to adapt whenever necessary (for instance when you acquire new insights that may enable you to reconsider particular issues). Do not try to evade asking for help whenever you need to. The key is: (a) a purposeful consultation, (b) reciprocal understanding and (c) purposeful cooperation.
The study material for the module consists of a practical workbook (Afr “diktaat”) in addition to this study guide. The practical workbook is the manual presenting the subject matter (comparable to the text books in other modules) and the study guide provides you with guidance regarding the outcomes that must be achieved, as well as the way in which you need to study the practical workbook. Outcomes to be achieved are listed at the start of every study unit. Contact sessions offer the opportunity for the presentation of important information involving the learning material, as well as in-depth discussion thereof. Attendance of these sessions is essential for you to benefit from explanations, as well as for the opportunity to participate in group discussions and group assignments. In order to get maximum value from contact sessions, orientational preparation in the light of the study guide is required. This implies that particular sections must be read beforehand as is explained and indicated in the study guide.
LECTURER INFORMATION
Potchefstroom:
Prof. I.J. Van Der Walt / 018 299 1584 / G5; G17 / Kobus.vanderwalt@nwu.ac.za
Vanderbijlpark:
Mr L. Bunt / 016 910 3253 / Building 8, G39 / Lance.Bunt@nwu.ac.za
Mafikeng:
Ms M. Mongale / 018 389 2239/ Office A5, 2057 / 16213661@nwu.ac.za
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
By studying this module, you will acquire a particular level of expertise and skill that will enable you to grasp the way in which science, technology and society influence one another reciprocally. You will thus be able to evolve, via postgraduate study, into excellent natural scientists and engineers that are valuable both nationally and internationally as well as for all of mankind in your work context.
TEACHING & LEARNING MATTERS
Science, technology and society have a reciprocal influence on one another. We can use the current advancement of Iranian nuclear potential/power as an example of the influence of world view (or ideology) on scientific practice and engineering. Iran seeks to become a nuclear power, while there are other powers that oppose this, seeing that absolutised world views (ideologies) cause constant clashes to occur between Israel and the USA on the one hand, and the Arabic (Muslim) world on the other hand. During 2011/2012 several of Iran’s prominent nuclear physicists were murdered by assassination gangs of hostile powers in order to thwart Iran’s nuclear plans. On the one hand, practising sciences and engineering in Iran is driven by world views and ideology, while the result of scientific practice (trained physicists) in turn results in socio-political action.
In this module, you will be required to analyse and evaluate examples such as these from the perspective of your own world view. You will be required to display systems thinking, operate in an interdisciplinary way and in a multicultural context, as well as articulate and debate the ethical aspects of topical events. The end goal of this module is to equip you to play a leading role as a highly qualified citizen of the country in solving the issues of the day, whether they concern specialised scientific or technological fields or the application of Natural Sciences and Technology in a diverse and at times highly changeable social order. This module emphasises especially the latter.
Since this module is at NQF (National Qualifications Framework) level 6 and consequently focuses on the acquisition of higher-order thinking skills (academic leadership, critical, independent thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation), the primary objective of the course is not the mere acquisition of knowledge. The rationale for the approach to this module is that we wish to empower you as a fully equipped citizen to be able to make a significant difference in society. For this reason, you will be required to constantly ask questions regarding WHAT you are studying, WHY you are studying it, HOW you ought to learn it and what the broader CONTEXT is within which you are to apply the acquired knowledge and skills. For this very reason, lecturers will not be prescriptive in this module with regard to WHAT your paradigm ought to be. The purpose is to guide you to the point where you will be capable of autonomous critical thinking regarding science and technology in society.
Your lecturer will be guiding you through this module in order to make selected value-judgments concerning scientific or technological phenomena. This also implies that, apart from a critical view of the origin and development of natural science and technology and its influence on present-day paradigms, you will be required to take stock as well of issues with which everybody is constantly being confronted by, such as: racism, developmental level, taking stock of religious beliefs, political convictions, sexism and sexual convictions, wealth and poverty, sustainability, HIV/Aids, etcetera – with a view to helping society to determine its ontological credibility, its epistemological possibilities and its methodological limitations.
MODULE OUTCOMES
The module Science, Technology and Society strives to achieve the following overarching outcomes:
- That students may develop the ability to identify, analyse and evaluate the reciprocal influence of world views and ideologies (society) on the development and continuation of science and technology.
- That students will be able to demonstrate and make allowance for the influence of various world views on the natural scientific and technological development in forming their own paradigm.
- That students will develop the ability to understand the interrelationship of natural scientific and social phenomena and to analyse from this paradigm by means of systems thinking and an interdisciplinary approach, the ethical aspects of contemporary problems that pose a threat to sustainable development on earth.
- That students will be able to write down their personal convictions regarding STS, put these into words and present it by means of a PowerPoint presentation.
- That students will be able to apply scientific research methodology with integrity.
The specific outcomes for this module (WVNS211) as expressed in the NWU Yearbook/Calendar are as follows:
On successful completion of this module, the student must be able to identify, demonstrate and critically respond to the basic issues in contemporary discussions with regard to science, technology and society, with specific reference to the scientific and technology systems in South Africa. The student must also be able to identify the most important ethical issues in the subject areas of a programme and react critically to these in accordance with a value-based orientation within a specific world view. Students must be able to form a carefully thought-out, reasoned point of view regarding the idea of sustainable development, one including the socio-economic implications thereof. Students must be able to discuss perspectives with regard to different systems of thought and to look closely at contemporary issues in science and technology within a system perspective.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Students will have achieved the outcomes if they are able to:
- Quote examples by means of which the interwovenness of science, technology and society can be demonstrated;
- Present the characteristics and effects of a number of world views and ideologies on natural science and technology in a well structured paper that meets all academic requirements;
- Explain how some world views and ideologies manifest in present-day society and give examples of the way in which such world views and ideologies influence the current society as well as the practising of natural science and technology;
- Use examples from natural science and technology to explain the causes, the interwoven nature and resultant discrepancies with regard to the distribution of resources, diseases, etc. more fully;
- Analyse on both an individual and a group basis case studies of modern-day problems in a scientifically accountable way with their own life and world view as a point of departure;
- Engage in conversation in a meaningful and constructive way with persons who have different life and world views with a view to a quest for solutions for contemporary problems; and
- Demonstrate an ability with regard to written and verbal understanding and reporting via effective and successful participation in assessments by means of various technologies and formats as mentioned earlier in this guide.
MODULE PLAN
You will find a comprehensive module programme on eFundi.
If you are unable to attend a class, you should inform the lecturer in advance, if possible. In case of unforeseen circumstances, you should explain to your lecturer why you were absent before the very next Friday at 17h00. A valid excuse should reach your lecturer within 1 week after your absence. If you do not comply, you will lose marks.
ASSESSMENT
Efundi tests: during the week after every class, students will have to complete a test on efundi. There are 7 tests in total, each has a total of 10 marks.
Semester assignment: every student will submit a 3 page written semester assignment that will replace the semester test. No semester test will be written. This assignment should be submitted on efundi so that plagiarism can be checked, as well as a hard copy to your own lecturer. Details can be found on efundi at Assignments.
Assessment plan:
At the first contact opportunity, you will be given a complete timetable on which you will find the teaching-learning opportunities, as well as the assessment events of every contact session of the semester.
All assessments will be open-book and will be composed of the following:
Participation mark:
Participation mark = eFundi tests + semester assignment
Examination:
First opportunity - No exam paper will be written for the first opportunity exam. Instead, students will submit a group assignment as well as present the same topic as a group presentation during the last 3 periods of the semester. To ensure fairness, students will assess each other’s contribution to the group effort with the Felder assessment method.
Second opportunity - If you fail the 1st opportunity, Prof vd Walt will assign an additional individual assignment to you that should be submitted on the date as indicated on the semester schedule. Marks obtained for the 1st exam group assignments and presentations will NOT apply.
Final mark:
Final mark = the average of your participation mark and your exam mark.
Calculation of module mark:
All formative assessment tasks mentioned (with a cumulative weight of 50%) will be used in order to calculate each student’s participation mark for this module. Apart from the assessments mentioned previously, you will also be required to write a summative assessment (exams) with a weight of 50%. The module mark is calculated in accordance with the directives of A.139 and A.8.7.4 (refer official “A” rules of the NWU) regarding the ratio between participation and examination marks as indicated in the module outcomes (refer to Regulation ON.4.1 in the official yearbook of the NWU).
Admission to the examination in this module will be granted only if official proof of participation is obtained from the various formative assessments. Please note that proof of participation will be issued only if you have met all of the particular/specific requirements in the study guide for this module and have obtained a minimum of 40% for formative assessments in this module.
STUDY MATERIAL
The prescribed study material is summarised in this study guide (WVNS 221/ WVIS321), as well as in a matching WVNS 221/ WVIS321 Reader developed by Prof CJ Reinecke. This Reader is available in both English and Afrikaans on efundi. You will not require any additional study material even though your lecturer may obtain more recent and relevant information from the internet to make the teaching/learning events as topical as possible.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Weeks per semester: 12
Lecture duration: 100 minutes
Lectures per week: 2 (totalling 22 hours per semester)
Non-contact time per semester / self-study time: 88 hours
Writing of tests and examinations: 10 hours per semester
The credit weight or value of WVNS 221 is 12, which is the equivalent of 120 estimated study hours per average student. For each of the 12 contact sessions, approximately one hour is implied for personal preparation, one hour for completion of the group assignment and two hours for contact time. Three of the contact sessions are scheduled for the writing of tests. Each student spends the remaining time on his or her preparation for evaluation in accordance with personal needs.
WARNING AGAINST PLAGIARISM
ASSIGNMENTS ARE INDIVIDUAL TASKS AND NOT GROUP ACTIVITIES (UNLESS THEY ARE EXPLICITLY INDICATED AS A GROUP ACTIVITY).
The copying of text from other students or from other sources (for instance the study guide, prescribed study material, or directly from the internet) is strictly forbidden – only brief quotations are permissible and then only if these are indicated as such.
You must reformulate existing text using your own words in order to explain what you have read. Merely retyping existing text/subject matter/information and acknowledging the source in a footnote is unacceptable. You must be able to give the idea/concept in your own words without quoting the original author verbatim.
The purpose of assignments is not the mere reproduction of existing material/subject matter, but to determine whether you are capable of integrating existing texts, of formulating your own interpretation and/or critical assessment, and of offering a creative solution for existing problems.
Be warned: Students who submit copied text will be awarded a zero mark for the assignment and the Faculty and/or University can institute disciplinary measures against such students. Doing others’ work for them or enabling them to copy yours is equally unacceptable. For this reason you must never lend your work to anybody else or make it available to other students.
SU1: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY (STS)
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 1 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Understand why STS is important for all undergraduate training and how science, technology and society mutually influence one another;
- Explain what STS is (know the definition and be able to explain in the light of concrete examples) as well as what the vision of the South African authorities has been before and is at present with regard to science and technology; and
- Communicate with regard to the objectives of research involving STS, the variety of visions regarding science and technology that has been or is identifiable in South Africa, and what this has given rise to.
YouTube Video
"Public confidence in the scientific community is higher than other groups, and yet public trust in technology companies has eroded, according to US-based studies by the Pew Research Center. How are changing perceptions about science and technology reshaping politics, business and public policy?"
World Economics Forum (2019)
SU2: RESEARCH REGARDING STS
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 2 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Explain what the most important approaches of STS studies and research concerning STS entail; and
- Have the necessary insight concerning the important role of innovation for development in South Africa and of your role as graduates in the future society and which can be concisely described as responsible citizenship.
YouTube Video
"The field of computing is driven by scientific questions, technological innovation and societal demands. There is wonderful interplay—push and pull—among these three drivers. For example, accelerating technological advances and monumental societal demands force us to revisit the most basic scientific questions of computing. These drivers are also measures of the impact of computing research. In my talk I will give examples from Microsoft Research of our impact on science, technology, and society. I will close with pointers to new directions for computing research."
Microsoft Research (2016)
SU3: SYSTEMS
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 3 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Understand why systems thinking is important for all undergraduate training and how it is related to science, technology and society;
- Explain what systems thinking entails and explain the most important forms of systems methodologies; and
- Communicate with regard to the goals of systems and evaluate and discuss practical examples in this regard.
YouTube Video
"System Thinking - The core principles for successfully working with complex systems. A detailed explanation of the Spiral Dynamics stage Yellow worldview."
Actualized.org (2017)
SU4: THE VARIETY OF KNOWLEDGE & INTERDISCIPLINARITY
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 4 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Understand why interdisciplinary cooperation actually is imperative for the current practising of science and technology;
- Understand where this fits into the current knowledge society; and
- Explain interdisciplinary cooperation and communicate about it – as partially promoted by the group assignment of this study unit.
YouTube video
Promoting Interdisciplinary Research with Community Impact | Dr. Michael Burns | TEDxFargo
TEDx Talks (2017)
SU5: MULTICULTURALISM
Time allocation
You will need approximately 20 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 5 of the Practical Workbook Science,
Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Design an application for the preceding study unit(s);
- Submit said application as a formal, personal assignment;
- Receive it as a group assignment and conduct research collectively, discuss it in your group and process it as a joint document;
- Present such an assignment electronically in class (PowerPoint);
- Criticise the work of your fellow students positively and negatively and assess it; and
- Answer questions on the preceding study units as a standard class test.
These outcomes apply to study units 3, 6 and 10.
SU6: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 6 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Explain exactly what sustainable development entails;
- Explain its origin;
- State the role self-interest plays in sustainable development;
- Describe the problems associated with sustainable development; and
- Explain what technology assessment and environmental impact studies are and describe the methods used in each instance; and
- Describe the role of scientists and engineers in sustainable development.
YouTube video
Multiple pathways to sustainable development: South Africa - Green Economy
UN Environment (2015)
SU7: ETHICS
Time allocation
You will need approximately 15 study hours to complete and master this study unit successfully.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this study unit, you must be able to:
The study material for this study unit is Chapter 7 of the Practical Workbook Science, Technology and Society (STS), of Reinecke, et al.
Once you have mastered this study unit, you must be able to:
- Describe what the theoretic framework of ethics entails;
- Draw a distinction between principles and norms;
- Distinguish between types of norms according to purpose and function; and
- Illustrate the differences between profession and calling.
YouTube video
Does Technology Need to Be Ethical?
The Atlantic (2017)
REFERENCES
Actualized.org. 2017. Intro To Systems Thinking [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qqc3gL3oHE [Accessed 21 February 2019].
Arts and Sciences. 2018. BASC0001 Approaches to Knowledge - An Introduction to Interdisciplinarity [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKYJVF5qzS4 [Accessed 27 June 2019].
Microsoft Research. 2016. The Impact of Computer Science Research on Science, Technology, and Society [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpVPZXBXWY [Accessed 21 February 2019].
TEDx Talks. 2017. Promoting Interdisciplinary Research with Community Impact | Dr. Michael Burns | TEDxFargo [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NjjN3FAa7A [Accessed 8 July 2020].
The Atlantic. 2017. Does Technology Need to Be Ethical? [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoZ-WF5Z_1E [Accessed 27 June 2019].
World Economics Forum. 2019. Davos 2019 - The Future of Science and Technology in Society [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGzyZyQoN8Y [Accessed 21 February 2019].
UN Environment. 2015. Multiple pathways to sustainable development: South Africa - Green Economy [Online video]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lGIE859HKQ [Accessed 27 June 2019].
NAVIGATION
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