Science, Technology, and Society

Physics 312 -- Teaching Physics from the Historical Perspective
Illinois State University Physics Teacher Education Program
Carl J. Wenning, Program Coordinator
Spring Semester 2002

Course Objective Assessed: (5b) The student will explain how some aspect of pure and applied science and technology influence modern society.

Anyone who has ever read Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" will have some sense of how both science and technology can have a very major impact on a society. In this story the protagonist, Hank, through a dream travels back from the 19th century to the time of King Arthur and the Round Table. He encounters the "magic" a Merlin the Magician, and quickly shows Merlin that "modern" science and technology are more than a match for superstition. Hank uses his knowledge of science and technological prowess to foretell an eclipse of the sun, to introduce electricity, guns, and bicycles, much to the amazement of all who see them.

In order to see how technology can impact a society using a present day analogy, imagine traveling back to 1900 and telling people that you can pick up voices from the air (radio), see pictures of distant words (television), cook without fire (microwave), fly through the air (planes), look through people to model their insides (catscan), and use stones to think (computers). You might well be put to the stake yourself for being in league with the Devil!

In this activity you will pick some aspect of pure and applied science and technology, and describes its influence modern society. The possibilities are abundant (e.g., atomic energy, superconductivity, computer revolution, electronics revolution, etc.) In so doing, you might want to provide answers to the following and similar questions:

1. What aspect of pure and applied science and technology have you chosen to write about.
2. How has this aspect affected society in the past? OR How might this aspect affect society in the future?
3. Have this aspect's effects been positive, negative, or both? OR Will this aspect's effects be positive, negative, or both?
4. On what basis do you make your judgment? Science? Religion? Philosophy?
5. Has (Will) this aspect influenced not only how people live , but also how they think and act?

General Criteria:

Each essay must satisfy the following general criteria:

• Paper is typed double space, using a 12-point Times font or similar
• 3-4 pages in length
• Makes appropriate use of grammar
• Logically presented
• Shows evidence of reflection
• Accurate
• Contains not less than three references
• Turned in on time
• Satisfies stated objective for essay (see above)

Grading Rubric with Detailed Criteria

Return to PHY 312 Syllabus

Return to PHY 312 Student Tasks/Assignments