Module 5 Assignment
Instructions
This assignment addresses course outcome of evaluating the processes and critical debates that have shaped human history.
Choose one of the following prompts to address in your assignment. Your response should reflect a deep understanding of the readings and should be well-structured, coherent, and supported by specific references to the works of Haraway, Shapin, and Shaffer.
Prompt 1: Technoscientific Identities and Posthumanism (Based on Donna Haraway) In Donna Haraway's "A Cyborg Manifesto," she introduces the concept of the cyborg as a way to challenge traditional boundaries between humans, machines, and nature. Discuss Haraway's notion of the cyborg and how it reflects her broader views on technoscientific identities and posthumanism. How does Haraway's perspective critique essentialism and celebrate hybridity? Analyze the implications of these ideas for our understanding of gender, embodiment, and the relationship between humans and technology.
Prompt 2: The Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge (Based on Steven Shapin) Steven Shapin's work, such as "The Social History of Truth," emphasizes the role of social factors in the production and validation of scientific knowledge. Discuss Shapin's argument about the social construction of scientific facts. How does he challenge the idea of scientific knowledge as purely objective and universal? Analyze a historical case study or a contemporary example to illustrate how the social context influences scientific practices and the acceptance of scientific claims.
Prompt 3: Instruments and Material Culture in Science (Based on Simon Shaffer) Simon Shaffer's writings, such as "Leviathan and the Air-Pump," examine the role of instruments and material culture in shaping scientific practices and knowledge. Discuss Shaffer's exploration of the conflict between Robert Boyle and Thomas Hobbes regarding the air-pump experiment. How does Shaffer use this case to highlight the influence of instruments on the development of scientific knowledge and the negotiation of authority? Analyze the broader implications of this case for our understanding of the relationship between science, technology, and society.
Formatting and Submission:
- Your assignment should be typed, double-spaced, and between 800 to 1000 words in length.
- Use proper citations and references for the works of Haraway, Shapin, and Shaffer.
- You may include quotes or passages from the readings to support your analysis.
- Submit your assignment through the designated platform by the specified deadline.