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CMNS 438-4/CMNS 851-5
SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies
jholbroo@sfu.ca Summer Semester 2009
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Prerequisites: (undergrads only) 75 credits, including 2 CMNS upper division courses; or permission of instructor.
Overview: There is a major divide between the theories of science and technology (S&T) and the actual practice of science, technology and innovation policy by both the public sector and the private sector. On one hand there are several well-established areas of scholarship on the role of S&T in society and the influences that S&T has in the shaping of society. On the other hand, actual science, technology and innovation policies and programs have been shaped by both economic and social factors that are not part of this body of scholarship. Over the past decade the importance of S&T policy has been subordinated to innovation policy where S&T is only an input to the overall promotion of innovation in the Canadian economy.
Students will be given the opportunity to examine the theoretical underpinnings of S&T policy and its impact on society and to contrast these with actual outcomes in Canadian society. Students will undertake a major project based on a specific topic, chosen in consultation with the instructor, and will present their findings to the class.
Required Readings/Texts: There is no set text-book. Materials and references will be provided by the instructor. As a prerequisite students will be expected to have read Theories on Technology and Society, by Monica Salazar, available on-line at http://www.sfu.ca/cprost/reports.html (CPROST report 08-02), and a paper on Actor Network Theory by Darryl Cressman (CPROST report 09-01) before the class starts. Other readings from the library or on-line materials will be assigned.
Graduate students may wish to purchase The Handbook of S&T Studies, 3rd edition by Hackett, Amsterdamska, Lynch and Wajcman. Copies will be available at the bookstore.
Grading: Marks
will be assigned as follows (subject to change with notice):
Assignments 30%
Project including a report 50%
Final Presentation 10%
Participation 10%
Since the number of students admitted to the course will be limited to a maximum of 15, attendance at the first lecture is mandatory. Waitlisted students should attend the first class in the event that registered students withdraw that day.
Schedule: (preliminary, subject to confirmation in class)
|
Class # |
Topic |
Readings |
Assignments |
|
1 |
Organization, distribution of readings; What is S&T policy?, briefing notes |
Salazar report CPROST 08-02 |
Select major project topic |
|
2 |
Introduction to S&T policy |
|
|
|
3 |
The government S&T policy process; The role of large technology projects; |
|
|
|
4 |
Leonardo/TMP presentations |
|
Possible field trip to TRIUMF |
|
5 |
Research networks |
Wixted & Holbrook CPROST 08-01 |
Briefing note on TRIUMF |
|
6 |
The influences of S&T on society. General purpose technologies |
Lipsey papers (references will be given) |
|
|
7 |
S&T in the university; grants, spinoffs, return on investment |
Clayman papers CPROST 03-09, 04-06 |
|
|
8 |
No class (week of June 21) |
|
|
|
9 |
New technologies; the precautionary principle, technology assessment and constructive tech. assessment |
|
Analysis of a large technology project; in question period format |
|
10 |
Systems of innovation, social and economic perspectives |
Rogers, Cooke References will be given |
|
|
11 |
S&T policy in the developing world. The problem of mobile human capital. |
UNESCO papers, CPROST papers |
|
|
12 |
Gender and Innovation |
Crowden thesis (see CPROST website) |
Report on a specific new technology |
|
13 |
Major project presentations |
|
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