Program Overview

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Introduction to SCIS 201

The Special Topic: Challenging Cultures of Medical Science and Technology—SCIS 201, is a course that explores the cultures of medical science and technology. It critically evaluates medical legacies and imagines better medical and scientific spaces, paying attention to colonialism, sexism, racism, class, ethics, and policies.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 Jul 2026 to 8 Nov 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,095.15 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,058.00 for international students
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Tuesday 2.10pm
  • Wednesday 2.10pm
• Campus: Kelburn
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 60 pts at 100 level
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The course is taught by the School of Science in Society — Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Disclaimer

This course outline may be subject to change.

Key Dates

Important dates, including mid-trimester teaching breaks, can be found on the University's key dates calendar. Assessment dates will be provided once the course has begun.

About This Course

This course addresses the challenges presented by changing medical science and technological terrains. It uses an interdisciplinary Science Studies framework, drawing on Science and Technology Studies (STS), Psychology, Medical Anthropology, Mātauranga Māori, Science Communication, etc. The course unpacks and evaluates the legacies of medical sciences and technologies, considering factors such as colonialism, sexism, racism, class, institutional cultures, ethics, politics, and policy frameworks. It aims to imagine better medical scientific spaces.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course will be able to:

1. Critically engage with and evaluate a range of viewpoints regarding contemporary issues related to medical sciences and technologies.
2. Evaluate legacies and cultures of medical sciences and technologies with attention to factors such as colonialism, sexism, racism, class, institutional cultures, ethics, politics, and policy frameworks.
3. Demonstrate awareness of key concepts, cultures, spaces, and ideas that shape contemporary medical scientific and technological debates.
4. Communicate and debate the cultural contexts of medical sciences and technologies effectively with a range of audiences.

How This Course Is Taught

This course is designed for in-person study, with students strongly recommended to attend on campus. Some assessment items will require in-person attendance, including Group Presentations and Class Participation. Each week includes:

• A 2-hour session with a lecture component, followed by discussion
• A 1-hour seminar session These sessions allow for group work, discussion, debate, and occasional screenings to critically engage with current medical spaces.

Assessment

• Reading Reflections: Two reflections, each of 500 words, as responses to readings (20%)
• Written or Creative Output: 1000-word or equivalent on a contemporary science issue (20%)
• Research Essay: 2000-word research essay on one of four identified contemporary medical science and technological issues (40%)
• Collective Reflections: Discussion and Participation: Group and individual engagements on selected weekly topics (20%)

Mandatory Requirements

There are no mandatory requirements for this course.

Lecture Times and Rooms

• 6 July 2026 to 16 August 2026
• 31 August 2026 to 11 October 2026

What You'll Need to Get

You do not need to get any texts or equipment for this course.