Science, Technology and Society

This page is updated for the academic year 2023-2024.
Information for the academic year 2024-2025 will be updated in the coming days.
 

Introduction 

The remarkable growth of science and technology over the past century raises pressing philosophical, historical and social issues. Many questions pondered by philosophers and historians for generations – how might objective knowledge be attained, if at all? by what criteria might one theory be judged better than another? what are the contexts in which science operates and has operated historically? what is the social role of science? – continue to be relevant. But advances in science and technology have raised new questions, too. In a world where biotechnologists regularly create new species, what remains of the notion of “nature”? Ought we allow parents to alter the genetic makeup of their offspring according to their preferences? Should researchers be constrained from cloning humans? from “weaponizing” bacteria and viruses? from privatizing seed stock for food crops? from producing and promoting technologies that cause great damage to our landscape. Does “virtual” communication, through a screen and keyboard, with strangers, create a satisfying sense of community, or does it simply magnify the loneliness of those

increasing numbers who spend most of their time in the soft glow of a computer terminal?
 

Details on these courses and elective courses may be found on the program website.

The Graduate Program in Science, Technology and Society at Bar-Ilan University invites you to take part in an intellectual adventure, studying science and technology with rigor and creativity, from a perspective that incorporates many disciplines: history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, literary criticism, critical theory, and much more. Our students gain the tools needed to understand science, technology and medicine from a broad and critical perspective. Our faculty appreciates the majesty of contemporary scientific achievements as well as its storied history, which are a great tribute to human ingenuity, yet we also appreciate the complicated, ambivalent, and sometimes dangerous ways in which science, technology and society interact.

Students and Faculty in the STS Program study a very broad spectrum of subjects from many different angles. Over the past several years, several concentrations of research have developed around a group of issues that have especially captured the imaginations of students and faculty members. In most cases, these students and faculty have organized ongoing, informal study groups and forums around these areas of concentration. Frequently, these study groups produce national and international workshops and conferences.

Curriculum

Studies in the program are for a master’s degree or PhD only. Classes are held on Sundays and Tuesdays and most of the courses in the program are yearly courses.

Master’s degree studies include 8 AC (16 SC) of core studies and another 12 AC (24 SC) of electives and advanced seminars, for a total of 20 AC (40 SC). Courses in the PhD program are determined on an individual basis. Core courses include a year-long course in history of science, a year-long course in philosophy of science, and course specific to science, technology and society.

Master's Degree

Only Track A is available (research-based)
Two options exist within the program:

1. Master’s degree with thesis – for students with a bachelor's degree or a master’s degree from a recognized academic institution in Israel or abroad. Program duration is about two years.
2. A direct master’s-PhD program (details in the introductory chapter).

Admission criteria

The program is open to honors students, and admission is competitive. However, promising candidates with a rich and diverse non-academic background may be considered for admission. In any event, consideration will be given to potential contribution of the candidates to the intellectual discourse among program participants. Applicants must pass a personal interview.

Language proficiency

English at the master’s degree level (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).

Thesis guidelines

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.

Final exam for the master’s degree

The final exam is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.

Jewish studies

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).

 

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the fall semester
of the second year of study.
 

 

PhD

Applicants with a high grade on their master’s degree thesis will be presented to the program’s PhD admissions committee.

Admission criteria

Particularly impressive candidates who have completed their master’s degree with honors in relevant disciplines such as history (of science, but not only), philosophy (of science, but not only), sciences, technology and society, and also other areas. Consideration will be given to potential contribution of the candidates to the intellectual discourse among program participants. Applicants must pass a personal interview.

 

For further details

by phone at 03-5318043, via email or visit the Department website