An Introduction to Science and Technology Studies

by Sergio Sismondo

An Introduction to Science and Technology Studies, Second Edition reflects the latest advances in the field while continuing to provide students with a road map to the complex interdisciplinary terrain of science and technology studies. Distinctive in its attention to both the underlying philosophical and sociological aspects of science and technology Explores core topics such as realism and social construction, discourse and rhetoric, objectivity, and the public understanding of science   Includes numerous empirical studies and illustrative examples to elucidate the topics discussed Now includes new material on  political economies of scientific and technological knowledge, and democratizing technical decisions Other features of the new edition include improved readability, updated references, chapter reorganization, and more material on medicine and technology

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Sociology, History

357 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 28, 2003

Reviews

[Sharad Pandian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to science studies/STS that ambitiously tries to summarize major trends in the philosophy, sociology, and history of science.

Unlike, say, Making Natural Knowledge: Constructivism and the History of Science, which is an opinionated and selective historical survey, Sismondo covers a lot more ground at the cost of some superficially, making it a great textbook for someone who's had no exposure to these fields. Admittedly, some choices made - for eg: arguing for development-as-freedom by quoting Amartya Sen - seemed underworked, but it is mostly clear, fair, and thorough.

Its table of contents give a sense of its range:

1 The Prehistory of Science and Technology Studies
2 The Kuhnian Revolution
3 Questioning Functionalism in the Sociology of Science
4 Stratification and Discrimination
5 The Strong Programme and the Sociology of Knowledge
6 The Social Construction of Scientific and Technical Realities
7 Feminist Epistemologies of Science
8 Actor-Network Theory
9 Two Questions Concerning Technology
10 Studying Laboratories
11 Controversies
12 Standardization and Objectivity
13 Rhetoric and Discourse
14 The Unnaturalness of Science and Technology
15 The Public Understanding of Science
16 Expertise and Public Participation
17 Political Economies of Knowledge

As an aside: Originally published in 2004, the 2009 2nd edition had an interesting change mentioned in the preface:

This second edition makes a number of changes. The largest is reflected in a tiny adjustment of abbreviation. In the first edition, the field’s name was abbreviated S&TS. The ampersand was supposed to emphasize the field’s name as Science and Technology Studies, rather than Science, Technology, and Society, the latter of which was generally known as STS in the 1970s and 1980s. When the ampersand seemed important, the two STSs differed considerably in their approaches and subject matters: Science and Technology Studies was a philosophically radical project of understanding science and technology as discursive, social, and material activities; Science, Technology, and Society was a project of understanding social issues linked to developments in science and technology, and how those developments could be harnessed to democratic and egalitarian ideals. When the first edition of this book was written, the ampersand seemed valuable to identifying its terrain. However, the fields of STS (with or without ampersand) have expanded so rapidly that the two STSs have blended together. The first STS (with ampersand) became increasingly concerned with issues about the legitimate places of expertise, about science in public spheres, about the place of public interests in scientific decision-making. The other STS (without) became increasingly concerned with understanding the dynamics of science, technology, and medicine. Thus, many of the most exciting works have joined what would once have been seen as separate. (viii)

[Elinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for university and it's a very useful and concise overview of the STS field. Unlike a lot of similar books, the writing style is very clear and it was a pleasure to read, despite it being so content dense. The case studies demonstrating points were really useful, and should come in handy for my exam.

My only criticism would be that I found there were places where some background knowledge was assumed - fine if you are not a completely beginner, but if you know nothing about the field you may have to google a few things.

[Justin Lahey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure upfront (as always), this was an academic read included in the reading list for the Second Comprehensive Examination of my PhD. I have been told by many professors and researchers in the science and technology field that Sergio Sismondo’s “An introduction to science and technology studies” was an excellent overview of what Science and Technology Studies (STS) is, has already contributed to, as well as its possible and much needed future applications.

Sismondo does an excellent job of situating STS within the history of science and scientific knowledge. But where this book delivers its most impactful content is in providing numerous case studies to illustrate the multi-faceted reality of science and technology within society. Similar to John Law’s “After Method: Mess in Social Science Research”, Sismondo drives the point home that, not only is research in science and technology a messy endeavour, but it’s also a very social one too, even when it may appear not to be. Pull back the curtains, or peel back the layers, and you discover the inner-workings of STS, and get a better understanding of how it could be applied towards today’s most significant societal and environmental challenges. A must read, for students, teachers, and anyone interested by science and technology research, findings, and controversies.

[Jascha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book guided me through a course that applied STS to concepts of health and illness.

For me as someone with no previous exposure to STS and most of the authors discussed, this book was a goldmine of information. The information is synthesized in a very logical structure and the author writes enjoyably for a layperson.

STS is a wounderful discipline and I will definitely reread parts of the book.

[Rhys Lindmark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro. Unfortunately STS seems to be much more about science than technology, but a good learning.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy-hitting theories on technology like the Actor-Network Theory (ANT). Take a coffee pill before reading.

[K. R. B. Moum · Rating 3 out of 5]

overwhelming

[Alise Miļūna]

A concise overview of development in the philosophy of science with a focus on the implications of a social constructivist view of science and technology.

[Dan Zarfati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to STS. The book is readable and at the same point it has enough depth to start a proper discussion, it is not a shallow book at all.

[Hashem · Rating 3 out of 5]

مطالعات علم و تکنولوژي بخشی از فلسفه علم و فلسفه تکنولوژي محسوب میشود که سعی دارد به چیستی علم و تکنولوژي بپردازد. بطور عموم تمامی نظریه های در خصوص چیستی علم و تکنولوژی در این مطالعات بررسی می شود. کتاب مقدمه ای بر مطالعات علم و تکنولوژی کتابی است که نویسنده تلاش کرده است تمام نظریات مربوط به فلسفه علم و تکنولوژی را از ابتدا تا روزگار حال را بررسی و معرفی نماید. در کتاب خیلی مفاهیم عمده مربوط به فلسفه تکنولوژی که در خصوص مصنوعات تکنیکی می شود آورده نشده است اما خاستگاه های تکنولوژی که می تواند برگرفته از علوم و یا جوامع باشد را شرح داده است و در اخر نظریات مرتبط با برساخت گرایی و برساخت گرایی اجتماعی را شرح داده و سعی کرده نظرات مرتبط با نظریه شبکه عاملان را توضیح دهد.
بطور کل این کتاب برای ورود به مباحث مطالعات علم و تکنولوژی مناسب می باشد و نگاهی جامع در خصوص نظریات این حوزه به شما اراپه میدهد. اگر علاقه ای به مطالعه در حوزه فلسفه علم و تکنولوژي دارید این کتاب را توصیه میکنم مطالعه نماییدو شاید نیاز باشد برای فهم و درک برخی بخش ها کتاب دوبار خوانده شود.

[fabio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente introduccion. Presenta todos los topicos relevantes al estudio de la ciencia y la tecnologia asi como diversas perspetivas teoricas dentro de esta tradicion. Mantiene, sin embargo, una marcada preferencia por la Teoria del Actor-Red.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really clear overview of every part of Science and Technology Studies (STS). This book is what it claims to be: a clear introduction. This means that even with no knowledge of STS, this book is quite an easy read, but really informative too. So, definitely recommended for the interested beginner.

[Michael Laurentius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introductory text which covers a wide interdisciplinary breadth while remaining quite accessible. Sergio Sismondo brilliantly displays why ST&S is such an important, exciting, and controversial field of study.

[Kathleen O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the field of STS, which deals with the intersection of science and the humanities. For anyone interested in exploring a constructivist view of science influenced by sociology, philosophy, and other disciplines in the humanities, this is a great place to begin.

[bamdad Hosseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

im translating this book from English to Persian. its a great book, well written & useful.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the 2nd edition of this book. It was very informative and I use it to reference/refresh myself on concepts of STS. Great book!