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The Social Science Requirement

WPI is committed to the principle that all students should understand science and technology in relation to the social context in which it resides. In order to educate "technological humanists," the WPI curriculum includes elements designed to inform students about the impacts of technology on society and social efforts to control and manage technology. One of these curricular elements is the two-course Social Science requirement.

In satisfying this requirement, students may take courses in any of the traditional social sciences. The Department of Social Science and Policy Studies recommends that students complete this two course requirement by the end of their sophomore year, in advance of beginning an IQP.

We further recommend that students concentrate their social science coursework in a single discipline, although students may complete the requirement by taking courses in different disciplines. At least two courses in a given field are essential to achieving a firm understanding of the nature of the discipline: its organization, its basic vocabulary, the way in which it approaches the solution of the problems that are its central focus, and how it seeks to explicate the phenomena with which it is concerned. By taking both courses in the same discipline, students are better prepared to apply that social science knowledge in their IQP during their junior year.

For these reasons, we recommend that students begin in social science by taking one of the introductory courses in a discipline listed below:

 

System Dynamics	SD 1510 Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling
Economics	ECON 1110 Introductory Microeconomics ECON 1120 Introductory Macroeconomics
Sociology	SOC 1202 Introduction to Sociology and Cultural Diversity STS 1207 Introduction to Psycho-Sociology of Science
Psychology	PSY 1400 Introduction to Psychological Science PSY1401 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology PSY 1402 Introduction to Social Psychology PSY 1504 Strategies for Improving Cognitive Skills
Political Science	GOV 1301 U.S. Government GOV 1303 American Public Policy GOV1310 Law, Courts, and Politics GOV 1320 Topics in International Politics

All introductory level courses in SSPS are numbered as 1000 level courses.

The second course in social science is typically an upper-level course (2000 or 3000 level). These advanced or depth courses deal with a wide variety of subjects: system dynamics modeling and experimental analysis, government regulation of business, environmental law and economics, educational psychology, technology assessment and environmental policy and decision making, among others. This element of application in the depth courses adds greatly to students' interests in the course and their understanding of the capabilities and usefulness of the discipline. See our complete listing of course offerings

Course Sequences in Social Science

To aid students in selecting appropriate sequences of introductory and upper-level courses to satisfy their social science requirement, the Department has identified logical course sequences in the areas listed below.

System Dynamics

Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling (SD 1510) followed by SD1520 System Dynamics Modeling provides students with a sequence of two courses in system dynamics. The first course introduces the students to the systems thinking perspective and the techniques of modeling and experimental analysis using computer simulation. The second course deals with problem solving using system dynamics modeling. These two courses provide the basic skills for applying the system dynamics method to IQP or MQP projects. For a more technical treatment of the subject, the two-course sequence may include System Dynamics Modeling (SD 1520) followed by Advanced Topics in System Dynamics Modeling (SD 2530).

Economics

Several combinations of course offerings in economics can be selected depending on the student's interest. Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 1110) followed by Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 2110) would cover microeconomic theory as applied to a firm. Introductory Microeconomics (ECON 1110) followed by Environmental Economics (ECON 2117) would create a theoretical basis for dealing with environmental regulation and policy. Introductory Macroeconomics (ECON 1120) followed by Development Economics (ECON 2125) would make a succinct introduction to developmental agendas. Introductory Micro- or Macroeconomics (ECON 1110 or ECON 1120) followed by System Dynamics Modeling (SD 1520) would create a good window to understanding economic dynamics and disequilibrium growth.

Political Science and Law

For students interested in government and law, GOV 1310, Law, Courts and Politics is the foundation course that supports advance study in the topic. Constitutional Law (GOV 2310) addresses the role of the judiciary in resolving disputes concerning its own power and the powers of the Congress and Executive branches. The subjects of Legal Regulation of the Environment (GOV 2311), Intellectual Property Law (GOV 2313), and Cyberlaw and Policy (GOV 2314) are also available as advanced legal subjects. Governmental Decision Making and Administrative Law (GOV 2304) is concerned with the local, state and federal bureaucracies as regulators of technology. International Environmental Policy (GOV 2312) also includes elements of international law.

Political Science - Public Policy

Several courses introduce students to the analysis of public policy: GOV 1301, U.S. Government; GOV 1303, American Public Policy; GOV 2302, Science-Technology Policy, or GOV 2304, Governmental Decision Making and Administrative Law and GOV/ID 2314 Cyberlaw and Policy. This sequence is designed for students who want to obtain an understanding of American government, its institutions, and the factors affecting public policy. The courses would be especially useful for students whose IQPs will address a public policy issue or some problem that requires a response from government. In addition, the courses will impart an appreciation for our political heritage and the values, which shaped our constitutional structure.

For students with interests in international affairs, Topics in International Politics (GOV 1320) might best be combined with International Environmental Policy (GOV 2312). Another option would be to match the introductory course in international politics with Development Economics (GOV 2125) for students with an interest in the relationships between international political systems and history and the problems of the developing world.

The political environment for science and technology has become extremely complex during the last few decades. Government directly supports over half of the nation's research and development. It also regulates the use of many technologies, including workplace safety, biotechnology, and manufacturing processes, which potentially harm the environment. Moreover, scientists and engineers are frequently called upon to help government solve problems. They often find themselves uncomfortably in the midst of political controversies. By enabling students to critically assess the performance of government and to articulate their own policy preferences, the courses would eliminate one barrier preventing WPI students from contributing to the public process.

Psychology

A two-course sequence in Cognitive or Social Psychology is ideal preparation for IQPs that require an understanding of how individuals or groups think when faced with social and technological problems. PSY1401 (Introduction to Cognitive Psychology) and PSY 1402 (Introduction to Social Psychology) are alternate introductions to experimental psychology. PSY 1401 emphasizes the mental processes that individuals apply to perception, memory, learning, judgment, and problem solving tasks and their implications for education and engineering design. PSY 1402 is concerned with how people think about, feel for, and act toward other people, and covers such topics as social influence, altruistic behavior, aggression, gender differences, stereotyping and prejudice, and small group decision making. Strategies for Improving Cognitive Skills (PSY 1504) provides students an opportunity to improve many of the mental skills relevant to IQPs and IQPs, including memory, problem solving, reasoning, decision making, and intelligent criticism.

Either PSY 1401 or PSY 1402, followed by PSY 2401 (The Psychology of Education), provides a solid background for students who plan to conduct IQPs in educational settings, from pre-school through college. PSY 2401 covers such topics as student diversity, the learning process, motivation to learn, and techniques for evaluating student learning. Current issues in higher education (particularly technological education) are emphasized.

The two-course sequence PSY 1402 and PSY 2406 (Cross-Cultural Psychology: Human Behavior in Global Perspective) is especially designed for IQP students preparing to work at international project centers and students interested in the global aspects of science and technology. PSY 2406 introduces students to the wide variety of social and cultural influences that shape human behavior in different parts of the world, with particular attention paid to cultural influences on technology development and transfer.

Students interested in new approaches to environmental problems should consider taking PSY 1401 followed by PSY 2405 (Environmental Problems and Human Cognition). PSY 2405 traces the root causes of environmental problems to basic human thought processes and explores the argument that successful environmental policies must be based on an understanding of how individuals think about the environment, how pro-environmental behavior is related to environmental attitudes, and how people respond to environmental information and policies. The course emphasizes the application of psychological knowledge to the development of innovative solutions to problems such as global warming, ozone depletion, species extinction, and energy and resource conservation. PSY 2540 deals with mapping and soliciting experiential information and mental models. It covers team learning, group communication and decision-making processes, and factors that promote or impede group performance.

Sociology

Many IQPs center on issues of social problems or the role of technology in creating or ameliorating social problems. The following courses have been developed as background material for such projects. The typical entry level courses for those interested in Sociology or Science/Technology Studies are SOC 1202 (Introduction to Sociology and Cultural Diversity) and STS 1207 (Introduction to the Psycho-Sociology of Science). These courses lead naturally to STS 2208 (The Society-Technology Debate).

However, there are two other courses that are acceptable alternatives. These are PSY 1402 (Introduction to Social Psychology) and GOV 1301 (U.S. Government). PSY 1402 (Introduction to Social Psychology) is also a good alternative preparation for STS 2207 (Science and Creativity).

 

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Last modified: October 11, 2007 14:30:01