Science, Technology, and Society in China I: Basic Concepts

Science and technology continue to play an increasingly central role in our lives, not least in countries such as China that are undergoing rapid technological, economic and social change. This course is the first of a trilogy of short courses on science, technology, and society in China. Here, we explore in general terms how engineering as well as scientific knowledge and practice are influenced by dynamic interactions between science, technology, innovation, and society. The course will introduce the innovation systems approach, laying the groundwork for mastering the remaining two parts of the course by introducing broad concepts and ideas to provide students with a platform on which to think about the science/technology–society relationship and related policy issues with a focus on China. This understanding will then be applied more specifically to China in the next two courses in the series. Part II will examine the impact of the Industrial Revolution in the West on scientific and technological progress in China. Part III will examine science and technology in Chinese society today and the basis for the policy prescriptions the Chinese government is currently employing to promote innovation and technology development.