WGSS 2105W: Gender and Science | UConn Honors Program

Requires ENGL 1010, 1011, or 2011.

This class will critically examine how social constructions of gender, race, class, sexuality, and disability shape science, medicine, and technology. We will consider the complex relationships between constructions of nature, science, objectivity, and the body to highlight how culture influences the theory and practice of different sciences, medical research, and technologies.

Some of the questions we will explore include:
How does science and technology influence everyday life? How are gender, race, sexuality and nation woven through the historical development of Western sciences? How has feminist science studies intervened or critiqued the construction of science, medicine and technology?

We will look specifically at how science is used to make claims about social differences, as well as examine some social implications of medical technologies. We will examine the culture of science, the power of scientific discourse, debates on the role of science in shaping government policy, and challenges scientists have faced historically and in this contemporary political context. No scientific background or experience is required; only a willingness to critically examine both science and ourselves.

Note WGSS 2105W is coded at the catalog level as open to sophomores or higher. If you are an Honors student who will have fewer than 24 credits when this course is offered, you may register by emailing honors@uconn.edu and including (1) your name; (2) your 7-digit Student Admin number; (3) your registration “pick time”; (4) the course number and section; (5) the class number from Student Admin; and (6) confirmation that there are seats available in the course.

This course has a catalog-level restriction to sophomores or higher, but your Orientation advisor can override you into the class as long as you are bringing in credit for first-year writing (ENGL 1010 or 1011).