Science, Technology & Society
Butler’s Science, Technology, and Society Program (STS) provides students rich experience in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities through a rigorous yet flexible curriculum and practical application.
Students learn how science impacts our world, our lives, and our communities. They also learn how science is influenced by society and its economic, political, and cultural motives. STS majors graduate with the interdisciplinary knowledge, intellectual flexibility, communication, and problem solving skills that are crucial to every career path. Students have the options of completing the degree in three years.
For a description of courses, browse our Course Catalog.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
Majors in Science, Technology, and Society must complete 32 hours of STS courses and 13 hours of natural science and/or technology courses.
- 14 credit hours of STS Core courses
- ST200 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- ST205 Science and Society Speakers Series
(this is a one credit course offered each semester that must be completed two times for a total of 2 credits prior to graduation) - ST310 Social Studies of Science and Technology
- ST320 Philosophy of Science
- ST330 Language, Rhetoric and Science
- 18 credit hours of elective courses from various departments
- 12 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above
- No more than three hours of independent study or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.
- No more than one research methods course may count toward this requirement.
- Elective courses vary each semester.
- Though not obligated to do so, majors may select STS elective courses to satisfy one of three concentrations within the major: Technology Studies, Health Studies, or Justice, Equity, and Democracy. Each concentration will require 9 credits chosen from a subset of electives designated to count for each concentration. These 9 credits will satisfy half of the 18 elective credits required.
- 13 hours of natural science and/or technology courses
- Natural science/technology credits are in addition to the 32 needed to satisfy the STS major (as described above).
- These may be counted towards other requirements–such as towards a minor or major in a science and technology discipline.
NOTE: Due to the overlap in courses, students are not permitted to double major or major and minor in Science, Technology, and Society and Environmental Studies.
Minors in Science, Technology, and Society must complete 19 hours of STS courses and 8 hours of natural science and/or technology courses.
- 7 credit hours of STS Core courses
- ST200 Introduction to Science and Technology Studies
- ST205 Science and Society Speakers Series (one time only)
- One of the following:
- ST310 Social Studies of Science and Technology
- ST320 Philosophy of Science
- ST330 Language, Rhetoric and Science
- 12 credit hours of elective courses from various departments
- 9 credit hours must be at the 300 level or above
- No more than three hours of independent study or internship credit can be used to satisfy this requirement.
- No more than one research methods course may count toward this requirement.
- Elective courses vary each semester.
- 8 hours of natural science and/or technology courses
- Natural science/technology credits are in addition to the 19 needed to satisfy the STS minor (as described above).
Current students are encouraged to consult their academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward program completion.