Technology Studies

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Technology Studies program at Eastern Michigan University equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the social, political, moral, and economic implications of technology. The flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their studies to specific career goals, with concentrations in areas such as technology management, information assurance, and homeland security. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in technology-based organizations, addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Science in Technology Studies (MS-TC) program at Eastern Michigan University prepares students for leadership roles in technology-based organizations. The program emphasizes the social, political, moral, and economic implications of technology, and provides students with the knowledge and skills to address the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the central concepts and issues related to the study of technology and society.
• To equip students with knowledge of significant technical developments and their effects on individuals, societies, the environment, and the workplace.
• To develop students' abilities to integrate information from various sources and disciplines to solve sociotechnical problems.
• To provide students with training in the major tools and methodologies for assessing technology's impact on society.

Program Description:

The MS-TC program offers a flexible curriculum that allows students to tailor their studies to meet their specific career goals. Students can choose from a variety of concentration areas, including technology management, interdisciplinary studies, information assurance, homeland security and emergency management, career, technical and workforce education, and hotel and restaurant management. The program's core courses provide students with a foundation in the history, theory, and methods of technology studies. Students also take a research methods course that provides them with the skills to conduct independent research on technology-related topics. Students in the technology management concentration learn about the management of technology and innovation, the integration of technology into organizations, and the impact of technology on labor relations and workforce training. Students in the interdisciplinary studies concentration can select courses from a variety of disciplines, including communications, computer science, management and marketing, public administration, technology and culture, and women's and gender studies. Students in the information assurance concentration learn about the legal, ethical, and technical aspects of information security. Students in the homeland security and emergency management concentration learn about the management of homeland security and emergency preparedness and response. Students in the career, technical and workforce education concentration learn about the development and implementation of career and technical education programs. Students in the hotel and restaurant management concentration learn about the management of hospitality and food service operations.

Outline:

Core Courses (12 hours):

• TS 505 Introduction to Technology and Society (3 hrs)
• TS 506 Patterns of Change in Technology and Culture (3 hrs)
• TS 508 Contemporary Trends in Technology and Society (3 hrs)
• TS 509 Research Methods in Technology Studies (3 hrs)

Concentration Courses (15 hours):

Technology Management Concentration:

• TM 500 Introduction to Technology Management (3 hrs)
• TM 502 Technology Project Management (3 hrs)
• TM 510 The Management of Technology and Innovation (3 hrs)
• TM 521 Women and Technology (3 hrs)
• TM 555 Technology and Organization (3 hrs)
• TM 560 Technology and Labor Relations (3 hrs)
• TM 565 Technology and Training (3 hrs)
• TM 592 Special Topics (3 hrs)
• TM 610 The Management of Virtual Teams (3 hrs)
• TM 615 Implementing and Managing Technological Change (3 hrs)
• TM 681 Special Topics (3 hrs)

Interdisciplinary Studies Concentration:

• Course selections require advisor approval.
• Examples include: Communications, Computer Science, Management and Marketing, Public Administration, Technology and Culture, Women's and Gender Studies

Information Assurance Concentration:

• IA 544 Cyber Law, Privacy, Policy and Compliance (3 hrs)
• IA 642 Defensive Security (3 hrs)
• IA 643 Disaster Recovery - Business Continuity (3 hrs)
• IA 650 Offensive Security (3 hrs)
• IA 651 Cyber Security Project Management (3 hrs)

Homeland Security and Emergency Management Concentration:

• IA 529 Foreign and Domestic Terrorism and Information Warfare (3 hrs)
• SSC 525 Management/Leadership for Homeland Security (2 hrs)
• SSC 530 Administrating the Public Safety Agency (2 hrs)
• SSC 535 Planning and Decision Making for Homeland Security (2 hrs)
• SSC 540 Human Resource Management in Public Safety Agencies (2 hrs)
• SSC 545 Managing the Critical Incident for Homeland Security (2 hrs)
• SSC 550 Managing Technology in the Public Safety Environment (2 hrs)

Career, Technical and Workforce Education Concentration:

• CTWE 590 Special Topics (1 hr)
• CTWE 591 Special Topics (2 hrs)
• CTWE 592 Special Topics (3 hrs)
• CTWE 611 Curriculum Frameworks in Career, Technical and Workforce Education (3 hrs)
• CTWE 661 Evaluation Standards and Strategies in Career, Technical and Workforce Education (3 hrs)

Hotel and Restaurant Management Concentration:

• HRM 519 Human Resource Management in Hospitality and Nutrition Service (3 hrs)
• HRM 521 Quality Service Management (3 hrs)
• HRM 560 Service Strategies for Hospitality Industry (3 hrs)
• HRM 609 Advanced Topics in Food-Service Management (3 hrs)
• HRM 610 Advanced Topics in Hospitality Management (3 hrs)
• HRM 626 Productivity Management in Hospitality and Food-Service Facilities (3 hrs)
• HRM 630 International Hospitality Management (3 hrs)
• HRM 640 Contemporary Issues in Hospitality Strategy (3 hrs)
• HRM 655 Financial Strategies for Hospitality Operations (3 hrs)

Capstone Experience Course (3 hours):

• TS 696 Research Seminar Capstone (3 hrs)

Assessment:

Students in the MS-TC program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams
• Papers
• Presentations
• Projects
• Class participation
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to graduate.

Teaching:

The MS-TC program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are actively engaged in research on technology and society. The program is offered in a variety of formats, including online, hybrid, and face-to-face.

Careers:

Graduates of the MS-TC program are prepared for a variety of careers in technology-based organizations, including:

• Technology management
• Information assurance
• Homeland security and emergency management
• Career, technical and workforce education
• Hotel and restaurant management