STS 4240

STS 4240

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

The social impact of technologies is typically thought about fairly late, if ever, in the design process. Indeed, it can be difficult at design time to predict what effects technologies will have. Nevertheless, design decisions can inadvertently lock in particular values early on. In this course, we will draw on science & technology studies, technology design, and the arts to analyze the values embodied in technology design and to design technologies to promote positive social impact. What social and cultural values do technology designs consciously or unconsciously promote? To what degree can social impact be built into a technology? How can we take social and cultural values into account in design?


Distribution Requirements (SBA-AG), (SSC-AS), (SCT-IL)

Exploratory Studies (CU-SBY)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA, 2022FA

View Enrollment Information

Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: INFO 4240INFO 5240

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  • 16994 STS 4240   LEC 001

    • TR
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

    For Bowers Computer and Information Science (CIS) Course Enrollment Help, please see: https://tdx.cornell.edu/TDClient/193/Portal/Home/

  • 16995 STS 4240   DIS 201

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 16996 STS 4240   DIS 202

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 16997 STS 4240   DIS 203

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 16998 STS 4240   DIS 204

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 16999 STS 4240   DIS 205

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 17000 STS 4240   DIS 206

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 17001 STS 4240   DIS 207

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 17002 STS 4240   DIS 208

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 17003 STS 4240   DIS 209

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  • 17004 STS 4240   DIS 210

    • F
    • Aug 24 - Dec 7, 2026
    • Csikszentmihalyi, C

  • Instruction Mode: In Person