Liberal Studies - Science, Technology and Society minor

2023-2024 - UG - Major Program Modification (Create New Calendar Entry)

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(A) Proposal summary
Next
  • STEP 1 - Complete the proposal summary information
  • Home faculty*
    Choose your faculty from the list of available options.
  • Content type*
    Choose program, unless you are certain the content you are creating should be a shared core. Contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca if you require assistance.
  • Summary of proposed changes*

    The proposal is to establish a Liberal Studies Minor in Science, Technology and Society (STS)

    Currently, there is only a Major in the Liberal Studies program. 

    For examples of STS programs, see U of T Victoria college: https://vic.utoronto.ca/academic-programs/upper-year-programs/science-and-society/

    And this one at University of Alberta:

    https://www.ualberta.ca/media-technology-studies/programs/science-technology-and-society/index.html

    Also, for the leading academic humanities and social science journal in STS, check this out: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/sts

    Provide a brief point by point summary of the changes included in this proposal.
  • Is a new course associated with this proposal?*
    Select 'yes' only if you are adding a brand new course to the calendar copy in this proposal.

  • If applicable, list new course codes, course titles and include hyperlinks to course proposals in Curriculog in the 'new courses' field below. To hyperlink, open a new window and search for the new course proposal in Curriculog. Copy the url from your web browser, return to this form and select the hyper link icon. Paste the url into the url field and save.

  • New courses

    LBAT 2413U - Science Communication: Media for creative, fun, and effective STEM communication

    LBAT 2414U - Science Fiction and Society

     

  • Are you creating a new minor that is not associated with a standalone major?*
  • If you answered yes to the above question, please describe in detail the capacity available to deliver the minor.
  • Calendar start date*
    Choose when the change should first appear in the academic calendar (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • Registration start date*
    Specify the first active term (e.g., Fall 2021).
  • STEP 2 - Attach supporting documents, if applicable

  • Visit the files section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form to attach any supporting documentation.

  • Are you attaching any supporting documents*
(B) Program component information and calendar copy
Next
  • STEP 3 - Complete Section B
  • Title of new program component*
    Liberal Studies - Science, Technology and Society minor
    Liberal Studies - Science, Technology and Society minor
    This will be the title of the program or shared core in the calendar.
  • Program type*
    Select the corresponding program type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Degree type*
    Select the corresponding degree type from the list of options. If you feel an option is missing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.
  • Description of new program component*

    If the practical impact of scientific discovery may be felt in the latest technology we hold in our hands, the full meaning and consequences of such developments can only be appreciated on a societal level. Advances in science and innovations in technology are changing how we live, work, play, do business, and govern.

    There is a need for ethically-minded professionals who understand the social shaping, uses and impacts of science and technology in relation to the dynamics of economic, political, environmental and cultural change. Based in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, “Science, Technology and Society” is an interdisciplinary minor that empowers students to explore how science and technology shape and are shaped by society, past and present.

     

    The description of the new program component will be included in the Academic Calendar.
  • Admission requirements*

    The minor in Science Technology and Society (STS) consists of 7 courses (or 21 credit hours), which includes four mandatory courses (12 credit hours) and 3 optional courses (9 credit hours) chosen from the list below. The Science, Technology and Society minor is available to all students in any major program in any faculty at Ontario Tech University. It will be of interest to students majoring in STEM programs, who want to learn about how social science and humanities research and teaching about STEM-related topics and issues.

    An outline of the requirements for admission to the new program component, including additional requirements or procedures, and recognition of prior learning experience.
  • Program map*
    Use this section to build a program map for the academic calendar that shows courses and/or research components offered each academic year.
  • Program structure*

    The minor in Science Technology and Society (STS) consists of 7 courses (or 21 credit hours), which includes four mandatory courses (12 credit hours) and 3 optional courses (9 credit hours) chosen from the list below.

    Describe any experiential or other applied learning opportunities that are part of the new program component.
  • Program learning outcomes*
     
    1. Depth and Breadth of Knowledge
    		  

    -Identify what distinguishes the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences as approaches to academic study

    -Describe historical factors contributing to emergence of different academic disciplines

    -Give an overview of how scholarship and teaching have come to be categorized in these disciplinary categories

    -Discuss the meaning and value of a contemporary liberal education

    - Evaluate normative justifications in light of social, political, economic, legal, cultural, and moral considerations

    -Practice critical self-reflection in the production of creative, synthetic work
     
    1. Knowledge of Methodologies
    		  

    -Differentiate methodological commitments across a range of academic disciplines

    -Analyze respective strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research methods

    -Apply knowledge of strengths and limitations of specific methodologies in planning and completing research projects 
     
    1. Application of knowledge
    		  

    -Appraise a range of social problems in a theoretically informed, rationally justified, and practical manner

    -Plan, draft and execute written and verbal demonstrations of critical analysis in relation to contemporary social issues
     
    1. Communication Skills
    		  

    -Plan, compose, and edit narrative, expository, descriptive and argumentative essays

    -Connect and distinguish normative positions taken in a discipline under study, identifying thesis, evidence, arguments, and evidence

    -Relate to listeners and readers in an articulate, respectful, and effective manner
     
    1. Awareness of Limits of knowledge
    		  

    -Identify and explain a variety of methodologies and their implications for how knowledge is imagined, organized, and communicate

    -Recognize and illustrate the contingent nature of political, cultural, economic, and social truth-claims originating from hypotheses in the social sciences and humanities
     
    1. Autonomy and professional capacity
    		  

    -Show responsibility, industry and self-motivation across a range of academic activities

    -Analyze in an original and independent way

    -Engage with others in a  conscientious and considerate manner
    If you do not have a recent version of your programs learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • If you do not have a recent version of your programs learning outcomes and alignment with the Degree Level Expectations, or would like to make a modification to them, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

(C) Detailed proposal information
Next
  • STEP 4 - Complete Section C
  • Introduction
  • Brief background on existing program*

    The Liberal Studies program was established in 2019 to showcase interdisciplinary SSH undergrad teaching, research and publication to current and prospective students. Two-thirds of students enrolled in LBAT 2000 are STEM students, taking the course as an elective. At its inception, the Liberal Studies program was to offer a cluster of courses (or stream) on topics and issues in science, technology and society. As such, Liberal Studies is an obvious home for an interdisciplinary SSH minor in science, technology and society (STS). As this STS minor program develops, faculty members will review relevant and potential eligible STS courses from across OTU faculties/programs, and consider adding them to the minor’s offerings.

  • Rationale for the new component*

    The new minor will:

    • increase enrollments to FSSH (and courses) (the minor would be ‘open’ to all students across university faculties and programs);
    • potentially serve as a pathway from FSSH undergraduate BA programs to FSSH’s new graduate Masters in Social Practice and Innovation (MSPI) (as students who do this minor would be prepared to engage with MSPI-relevant topics and issues, and research); 
    • enable students to point to this unique minor designation when applying for jobs and graduate programs
    How will this change enhance the program and/or opportunities for students and graduates?
  • Fit with the mission, mandate, strategic plans of the University and broader array of program offerings*
    • support OTU’s pursuit of “tech with a conscience”;
    • exemplify how the FSSH is contributing to OTU advancing “tech for the social good”; 
    • be a home for FSSH scholars researching and teaching about the social, political, legal and ethical dimensions of existing and emerging technology;
    • complement the Decimal Lab / Digital Life Institute, and assist faculty and institutional capacity building in this domain;
    • demonstrate SSH putting the “Arts” and “Social” into STEM at OTU.
    Description of how the proposed modifications fit into the broader array of program offerings, particularly those areas of teaching and research strengths, and complementary areas of study.
  • Resource requirements
  • Faculty members*

    Those teaching courses listed under the Minor will be affiliated faculty. No additional faculty hires are requested.

    List of core faculty associated with the program, including appointment status, home unit, areas of teaching and research interests, and any new faculty requirements and gaps they would be expected to fill.
  • Additional academic and non-academic human resources*

    No additional academic or non-academic human resources are requested.

    Details of any administrative requirements, including support staff, adjunct and part-time faculty, supervision of experiential learning opportunities, and any other additional academic and non-academic human resources.
  • Physical resource requirements*

    No additional physical resource requirements are requested.

    Details of any physical resource requirements, including library holdings, information technology support and student services, special equipment, and space requirements (classrooms, laboratory, graduate student work/study space, other).
  • Business plan
  • Statement of funding requirements*

    No additional funding is sought.

    A summary statement of the funding required to support the modification, including projected enrolments, start-up and continuing costs, if applicable.
  • Statement of resource/funding availability*

    Existing resources should suffice to enable this Minor, though budget for the Science Fiction and Society course that is central to the minor (and would likely be popular/attractive to students across the university in any case) may be requested for a sessional instructor if full-time faculty members do not wish to teach it.

    Statements attesting to the adequacy of resources to support the modification from Deans who may have faculty members involved in or are contributing resources, the Registrar or the Dean of Graduate Studies, the Chief Librarian and the Provost.
  • Transition plan
  • Transition plan*

    The new minor would be available beginning Fall of 2023.

    Semester (e.g., Fall 2020) for the implementation of the proposed changes; include a plan for all current students in the program, by year level. If this change impacts students that are not new and/or 1st year students as of the start date, then a transition plan is required.
  • Converting to online options
  • Does this proposal contain any intended conversion of progam components to online options? If yes, please complete the remaining items below.*
  • Adequacy of technological platform
    Describe the adequacy of the technological platform to be used for online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/o changes to teh quality of education
    Describe how the quality of education will be maintained and/or changes when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program objectives
    Describe how the current program objectives will be maintained and/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Maintenance of and/or changes to program-level learning outcomes
    Describe how the current program-level outcomes will be maintained an/or changed when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency of support services and training for teaching staff
    Describe the support services and training for teaching staff that will be made available when moving to online delivery.
  • Sufficiency and type of supoort for students in the new learning environment
    Describe the sufficiency and type of supports that will be available to students when moving to online delivery.
  • Other
  • Other: additional supporting information, if applicable
    Describe any additional information needed to support the proposal.
(D) Impact and consultation
Next
  • STEP 5 - Complete Section D
  • We have consulted with all impacted areas*
    By selecting 'yes', you agree that you have consulted with all affected areas prior to beginning this proposal. Select 'N/A' only if the change(s) do not involve students, staff and faculty from other programs or courses.
  • Process of consultation*

    Consultation has taken place between CDMS and Liberal Studies, with Dean Peter Stoett and Associate Dean, Alyson King. Consultation has also taken place at leadership committee meetings, with various program directors.

    Must include ways in which student feedback was collected; also include process of consultation with other units if the change(s) involve(s) students, staff, and/or faculty from other programs or courses.
  • Are there any considerations for the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion or decolonization included with this program change?*
  • Please explain

    Based in the inter-discipline of communication and media studies, CDMS courses are attuned to EDID, and include articles/chapters that sync with EDID imperatives. Also, much past and current  teaching, research and publication on science fiction and society has integrated EDID topics and issues (e.g., for example, when probing the representation of race, class and gender in science fiction; analyzing colonial and post-colonial narratives and tropes in science fiction; analyzing ways that science fiction dystopias and utopias comment on real past and present day inequities and oppressions).

    Does the program contain concepts, materials or resources from scholars/professionals who are part of one or more historically marginalized groups? Are multiple perspectives represented in the program, such as those offered by those who are Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour and/or 2SLGBTQIA+? How has accessibility been considered? More specifically, have the needs of students with disabilities been integrated into the program design (e.g., the ways that students are asked to demonstrate their learning)? Will this program provide space to allow for the discussion of other viewpoints outside the dominant, Western narrative? Have the principles of Universal Design been considered?
  • Indigenous Content and Consultation
  • Does this change include any Indigenous content?*

  • For more information on how Indigenous content is defined at Ontario Tech University and how to consult with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle, please refer to the Protocol for Consultation with the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle.

  • Has the IEAC been contacted?
  • If Yes, when?
  • What was the advice you received from the IEAC? And, how has it been included in your proposal?
  • Did the IEAC ask you to return the proposal to them for review?
    If Yes, have they completed their review?
(E) Routing
Next
  • STEP 6 - Enter routing information

  • Important note: it is imperative that you choose the correct routing path as it cannot be changed once a proposal has been launched. If you have made a routing error after launching the proposal, the proposal will be cancelled and a new proposal will be required. If you require assistance with routing, please contact ciqe@ontariotechu.ca.

  • Should this proposal be routed to the Program Approval step prior to Curriculum Committee?*
    If your curriculum committee is organized by program, or if program-level approval prior to curriculum committee is not required, select 'no'.
  • Faculty or program-level group*
    Choose your faculty or program-level group from the list of options. If your faculty has program-level committees, choose the corresponding program group from the list. Otherwise, choose the home faculty. You may choose more than one option, but please note that your proposal will go to the committees of all options selected. The proposal will not move on to the next step until all faculties have approved at their respective committees. Note: If you are making a change for a Bachelor of Engineering program in FESNS, you must select both the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science from the list of options.
  • Is this change for a Bachelor of Engineering program or program which requires Engineering Curriculum Committee approval?*
  • Are there departments associated with your faculty?*
(F) End of proposal
Next
  • STEP 7 - Save and ensure all required fields are complete
  • STEP 8 - Validate and launch proposal
  • STEP 9 - Approve proposal

  • As the originator, you must approve the proposal to send it on to the next step. To approve, navigate to the decisions section of the toolbox on the right-hand side of the form.

(G) CIQE use only
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