Social Studies of Science and Technology, Minor - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Social Studies of Science and Technology

Drawing from fields including history, philosophy and the sciences, this minor develops your analytical skills while examining the complex relationships between technological progress and social impact.
2026
Degree
Minor
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
5
Credit
20 hrs.
Full-time
- -
Part-time
- -
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History

The Social Studies of Science and Technology minor at UNH offers an interdisciplinary exploration of how scientific and technological advances shape our society and daily lives. Here you'll be able to investigate critical intersections between science, ethics and human experience, from medical breakthroughs to artificial intelligence.

Drawing from fields including history, philosophy and the sciences, this minor develops your analytical skills while examining the complex relationships between technological progress and social impact. Whether you're pursuing a career in technology, healthcare, policy or education, you'll gain valuable perspectives on the ethical and societal implications of scientific advancement in our rapidly evolving world.

History Department

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What is social studies of science and technology?

The social studies of science and technology minor lets you examine the role, effect and influence of science and technology in our lives and our society. You can focus on topics such as medicine and ethics, humans and the environment, or technology and artificial intelligence. You’ll gain the analytical and conceptual skills needed to understand the relationships between science, technology and human well-being. Combine this minor with a major such as the sciences, history, philosophy or business to bring rigorous, ethically informed thinking and clear communication skills to your future career or graduate studies.

Why study social studies of science and technology at UNH?

As an interdisciplinary minor in the Department of History, you’ll benefit from a structured yet flexible undergraduate minor,and your course of study will be tailored to your interests. UNH has one of the top history departments in the country, with an award-winning, internationally recognized faculty. Throughout the academic year, you’ll have opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities that complement your studies. Additionally, you’ll receive excellent advising and mentoring to help you with career or graduate school preparation.

Potential career areas

  • Academia
  • Business
  • Education
  • Ethics
  • Healthcare
  • Law
  • Policymaking
  • Technology
  • Writing

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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How are our lives being changed by technology? Why is science so influential in our society? Is modern science superior to traditional ways of knowing nature? Are science and technology doing more harm than good? The minor in social studies of science and technology enables students to seek answers to such questions through the perspectives of the humanities and social sciences. In this minor, students select courses from a range of disciplines, including anthropology, history, communication, sociology and philosophy, all of which shed light on the role of science and technology in modern society.

The minor presupposes no specialized scientific background and may be combined with any undergraduate major.

Students interested in taking the minor should contact the coordinator, Fredrik Meiton, Department of History, Horton Social Science Center.

02
Requirements for the Program
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To complete a minor in social studies of science and technology, students must complete five courses (20 credits) with a grade of C- or better, choosing no more than three courses from a single department.

Academic policies related to minors.

Required Courses
Select five courses from the following:20
CEE 520
Environmental Pollution and Protection: A Global Context
CHBE 410
Energy and Environment
CMN 696W
Seminar in Media Studies 1
CMN 772
Seminar in Media Theory (topic: Critical Approaches to New Media)
ENGL 415C
Literature and Medicine
GEOG 405
There Is No Planet B
GEOG 670
Climate and Society
HIST 425
Foreign Cultures (topic: Energy and Society: A Global History)
HIST 498
Explorations of Historical Perspectives (topic: History of Animals)
HIST 522
Science in the Modern World
HIST 595
Explorations 1
HIST 600
Explorations (topic: Oil and Water of the Middle East)
HIST 618
American Environmental History
HIST 621
History of American Thought 1
HIST 654
Topics in History of Science
HIST 690
Seminar: Historical Expl 1
PHIL 424
The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society
PHIL 435
Human Nature and Evolution
PHIL 447
A.I., Robots, and People
PHIL 450
Environmental Ethics
PHIL 630
Neuroscience and Philosophy
PHIL 780
Special Topics 1
POLT 444
Politics and Policy in a Warming World
PSYC 571
Pioneers of Psychology
PSYC 791W
Special Topics 1
SOC 565
Environment and Society
Total Credits20
1

with approval of topic by the coordinator

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