This course provides an introduction to the study of science as a social field and practice. It explores major approaches in the sociology of science, including institutional analysis, social constructivism, laboratory studies, actor-network theory, social worlds approach, boundary-work, and field theory. Topics to be discussed include the rise of modern science, the evolution of scientific knowledge and practice, technology and social change, gender in science, media representations of science, science policy, and the commercialization of scientific research.
