Technology, Power, and Health: The Social Dimensions of Medicine and Science

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

How do the technologies around us shape our lives, our bodies, and our engagements with the world—and what hidden social dynamics shape them? In this course, we will explore the fascinating intersections of science, technology, medicine, and society, focusing on how contemporary innovations—like AI, smart algorithms, and new medical technologies—are deeply intertwined with issues of social power and control. Through case studies, social theory, and discussions, students will discover how technologies are never neutral, but instead reflect and reinforce issues of inequity, ethical dilemmas, and dynamics of uneven political and economic power. This course will challenge you to think critically about the power dynamics embedded within the tools we use to heal, to communicate, and to engage with the world around us. Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about science and technology!