Charlie Chaplin: Modern Times.  Copyright: Roy Export Company Establishment Spacer image Syllabus

Instructor

Dr. Stephen G. Sapp
Department of Sociology
Iowa State University
320 East Hall
Ames, IA 50011-1070
Ph: (515) 294-1403
Cell: (515) 451-1620
FAX: (515) 294-2303
ssapp@iastate.edu

Course Description

SOC 415 addresses theoretical and applied topics in the sociology of technology. It focuses primarily upon applied issues of technology transfer. It explores techniques of and social issues related to risk assessment, risk management, risk communication, public policy formation, and diffusion strategies.

This course is conducted in accordance with the Department of Sociology Code of Ethics.

Any student who needs an accommodation based upon a disability should contact Dr. Sapp privately to discuss their specific needs. Also, please contact the Disability Resources Office (Room 1076, Student Services Building, 415-294-6624, awaoniyib@iastate.edu) to coordinate disability certification and accommodation.

Readings

Sociology 415 Web Site Diffusion of Innovations, 5th Edition Written by Everett Rogers, 2003. NY: Free Press. Sociology 415 Course Packet Related Books Related Articles

Course Organization

Following the introduction, the course is organized into four units: 1) Science, Technology, and Society, 2) Risk Assessment, 3) Risk Communication, and 4) Diffusion of Innovations. Unit one addresses relationships among science, technology, and society, the philosophy of science, the philosophy of technology, and social philosophy. The second unit presents approaches to technology evaluation. The third unit covers risk communication, risk management, linkages between public perceptions and technology policy, and the role of the media in risk assessment. The final unit addresses strategies for gaining either the adoption or rejection of complex and controversial agricultural technologies.

Assignments and Grading

  1. The Calendar of Events summarizes the assignments for the course.

  2. Evaluations include quizzes, exams, and a computer simulation exercise.
    • Quizzes evaluate understanding of basic concepts.
    • Exams evaluate integration and application of course materials.
    • The computer simulation exercise applies principles of the diffusion of innovations approach to gaining adoption of an innovation within a hypothetical village.

  3. Class participation is an important component of this course. Five points will be deducted from the total score for each unexcused absence.

  4. The Class Assignments page provides detailed descriptions of the expectations for each type of assignment.

  5. The total value of all evaluations equals 290 points. The scoring procedure allows for 40 points from quizzes (4 quizzes at 10 points each), 200 points from exams (4 exams at 50 points each), and 50 points from the computer simulation exercise. Grading is based upon a standard curve: A = 90% or more, B = 80% - 89%, and so forth, with some consideration of + and - grades.

  6. Grades for the assignments will be listed by ISU ID number and posted on the class web site.