PUB PLC C283

Main Course

Science Policy and Expertise

Description

Lecture, three hours. Introduction to social analysis of science and expertise by considering three overlapping themes: social conditions that affect production of scientific knowledge, debates about expertise and democracy in technical and policy decision-making, and current controversies about expertise and autonomy of science (e.g., conflicts of interest in funding of biomedical research and recent charges of politicization of science). Concurrently scheduled with course C183. Letter grading.