Postgraduate Module Descriptor

SOCM950: Science Technology and Society

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

To provide training in the essential skills of conducting and reporting research in the field of Science and Technology Studies. The module will invite students to question the taken-for-granted status of contemporary science and technology and to explore the relations between social interaction, local cultures, and processes of innovation. A wide range of materials will be used, including case studies on productive, reproductive, domestic, and computing technologies. Some problematic issues will be particularly explored like the role of authority in science, technology transfer, the attribution of agency in innovation processes, the sociology of environmentalism, and the images of technology in the media. The major theoretical approaches will be critically evaluated while a number of key ethical, social, cultural and policy issues associated with scientific research will be explored.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate in writing and orally a detailed awareness and comprehension of the interaction between society, science, and technology, as well as the theories that explain this interaction. 2. Recognise the contribution of the social sciences to the analysis of science and technology, and its contribution to other disciplines. 3. Be able to critically evaluate in writing and orally the diversity of specialised techniques and approaches involved in producing research in Science and Technology Studies.
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Analyse and synthesise different types of material and evidence. 5. Identify and assess the empirical usefulness of different theoretical approaches 6. Demonstrate sufficient initial knowledge to present independent interpretations.
Personal and Key Skills	7. Undertake independent study and research planning 8. Build and defend a sound argument both in written form and orally. 9. Co-ordinate group discussion

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Compulsory readings	Throughout course	1-9	N/A

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
80	0	20

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	80	7,000 words	1-9	Written feedback
Presentation	20	20 minutes	1-9	Written and or oral feedback

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (7,000 words)	1-9	Next reassessment period
Presentation	Presentation (20 minutes)	1-9	Next reassessment period