Courses (2026-27)
Science, Technology, and Society courses for the 2026-27 academic year. Please note: course listings change from year to year. Should you have any questions, please contact vic.academics@utoronto.ca.
STS301H1S | Public Communication in Science
STS301H1S
Public Communication in Science
Professor Emanuel Istrate
In this course we look at the ways in which scientific knowledge is communicated to the wider public, studying both the successes and the failures of scientists trying to do so. It is widely accepted that scientists must communicate their findings, and it is relatively easy to communicate these findings to other scientists. Communicating with the public, however, is more challenging for a number of reasons, including the complexity of modern science, lack of time, lack of motivation, lack of trust, the commercial interests of the owners of communication channels, the desire to provide certainty when there is none, etc. By learning from past mistakes in communicating science and by trying to understand the public better, this course aims to help students improve the ways in which the public can benefit from the tremendous successes of modern science.
Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 credits
Exclusion: VIC301H1
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
STS302H1F | Science Policy
STS302H1F
Science Policy
Professor Sessional
The course focuses on the impact of policy on science and the development and implementation of science-related policy. Topics include science funding and allocation of resources, policies concerning the technological application of scientific discoveries, commercialization of science, and the factors that shape the choice of science-based policies in such areas as healthcare, urban planning, weapons development, or environmental monitoring. The course will consider various science policy frameworks that define the power relationships between the stakeholders: government science policymakers, research and educational institutions, private firms, social media, and NGOs.
Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 credits
Exclusion: VIC302H1
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
STS377H1F | Special Topics in Science, Technology, and Society: Becoming Good
STS377H1F
Special Topics in Science, Technology, and Society: Becoming Good
Professor Marga Vicedo
Description TBC
Prerequisite: Completion of 9.0 credits
Recommended Preparation: 0.5 credit in Science and Society
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
STS377H1S | Special Topics in Science, Technology and Society: Wearable Technology Through the Ages
STS377H1S
Special Topics in Science, Technology and Society: Wearable Technology Through the Ages
Professor Lee Emrich
This class explores the modern term “wearable technology” as a cultural phenomenon connected to longer histories of embodiment. Course conversations query what is "technology" and how does the concept "wearable" operate as a site of interface with the "human"—but this interface is not socially or politically neutral—it's been debated and manipulated for millenia. The course will provide multiple analytic frames for analyzing wearable technology: media studies, fashion theory, and theories of subjectivity among others, and readings will range from early modern to modern texts and draw on multiple genres and media (news articles, research articles, the Bible, fashion photography, corporate discourse, plays, letters, philosophical treatises). Ultimately, the goal is to explore the theoretical and discursive and material entanglements of wearable technologies, questioning how these garments or accessories tug at the very threads composing our bodies and societies.
Prerequisite: Completion of 9.0 credits
Recommended Preparation: 0.5 credit in Science and Society
Breadth Requirements: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
STS452H1F | Science, Technology, & Society Internship
STS452H1F
Science, Technology, & Society Internship
Professor Hakob Barseghyan
This is a Pass/Fail course. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. For internship projects and the link to the application form, visit https://uoft.me/stshpsinternship.
Prerequisite: Completion of 9.0 credits and an application are required
Exclusion: VIC452H1
Recommended Preparation: VIC301H1/ STS301H1, VIC302H1/ STS302H1
Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)
HPS Courses
HPS courses are offered by the Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST).
Eligible HPS courses are listed under the Science, Technology, and Society program requirements.
Course descriptions and information (including class times) may be found on the IHPST website.
Please note:
In the event of discrepancies in program requirements between this website and the Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar, the Calendar shall take precedence.
Internships
The goal of this internship is to give students an opportunity to get hands-on experience in science policy, governance, funding, popularization, advocacy, journalism, or a closely related field in a professional setting. The internship experience can help deepen the students’ expertise in these fields and play a vital role in achieving their personal and professional goals. The interns will apply their interdisciplinary knowledge acquired though their courses at the University of Toronto in real work environments and link their learning to the reality of various science-related settings. The internship experience can also help the students to learn more about possible career paths and give them an invaluable opportunity to create strong professional networks. The interns will be required to complete 100 hours (typically 8 hours/week) with an industry partner during the Fall term and will also participate in monthly group meetings with the Course Instructor and other interns.