Language of instruction
Chinese
Current course fees
23,930
Location
Shanghai
X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-
2024.07.25
Major Course X-Core
Major Course X-Core
Major Course X-Core
Science, Technology and Society: Existential Risks and the Future of the Planet
Science, Technology, and Society (STS): Existential Risks and Planetary Futures
COURSE INTRO
Course Introduction 01
COURSE INTRO
Course Introduction 01
As human society accelerates, global issues such as climate change, pandemics, and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly prominent. Understanding climate, disease, and technology alone is not enough for us to comprehend the changes. Faced with complex and multifaceted global existential challenges, how can we transcend the limitations of a singular perspective to comprehensively examine the current development of technology and society? Is there a close interaction between scientific discoveries, technological innovations, and social changes? Science, Technology, and Society (STS) has emerged as a new interdisciplinary field, aiming to build a more just, sustainable, and diverse future for our planet, starting with you and me, from this moment onward.
"FusionX Science, Technology and Society: Existential Risks and Planetary Futures" will take you on an initial exploration of the emerging field of STS, providing a comprehensive analysis of the existential risks faced by human society under contemporary technological advancements; at the same time, you will learn about the wide application of STS in current social practices, proposing innovative and practical solutions for the future of the Earth as a visionary; ultimately, you will apply interdisciplinary STS methods to complete a qualitative research report, a social policy recommendation, or a multimedia creation (film, media, writing, curation, speculative design, etc.) as a course output.
As human society accelerates, global issues such as climate change, pandemics, and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly prominent. Understanding climate, disease, and technology alone is not enough for us to comprehend the changes. Faced with complex and multifaceted global existential challenges, how can we transcend the limitations of a singular perspective to comprehensively examine the current development of technology and society? Is there a close interaction between scientific discoveries, technological innovations, and social changes? Science, Technology, and Society (STS) has emerged as a new interdisciplinary field, aiming to build a more just, sustainable, and diverse future for our planet, starting with you and me, from this moment onward.
"FusionX Science, Technology and Society: Existential Risks and Planetary Futures" will take you on an initial exploration of the emerging field of STS, providing a comprehensive analysis of the existential risks faced by human society under contemporary technological advancements; at the same time, you will learn about the wide application of STS in current social practices, proposing innovative and practical solutions for the future of the Earth as a visionary; ultimately, you will apply interdisciplinary STS methods to complete a qualitative research report, a social policy recommendation, or a multimedia creation (film, media, writing, curation, speculative design, etc.) as a course output.
COURSE OUTCOME
Course Outcome 02
COURSE OUTCOME
Course Outcome 02
By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned and complete a type of output, such as:
Qualitative Research Report: Using STS methods to conduct case studies on the existential crises of human society and produce a research report or paper
Writing Social Policy Recommendations: Based on qualitative research, propose innovative and practical policy suggestions for the future of the planet
Creative Expression: Reflect on contemporary societal technological advancements through creative expressions such as literature, film, media, and design thinking
*The final type and content of the output will be based on the products produced by the explorers after participating in the capstone project X-Capstone
By the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned and complete a type of output, such as:
Qualitative Research Report: Using STS methods to conduct case studies on the existential crises of human society and produce a research report or paper
Writing Social Policy Recommendations: Based on qualitative research, propose innovative and practical policy suggestions for the future of the planet
Creative Expression: Reflect on contemporary societal technological advancements through creative expressions such as literature, film, media, and design thinking
*The final type and content of the output will be based on the products produced by the explorers after participating in the capstone project X-Capstone
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES 03
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES 03
Social scientists, technology consultants, technology industry strategists, ethics scholars in technology companies, technology art curators, sustainability strategists, ESG analysts, technology policymakers, technology anthropologists, contemporary technology historians, STS scholars
Social scientists, technology consultants, technology industry strategists, ethics scholars in technology companies, technology art curators, sustainability strategists, ESG analysts, technology policymakers, technology anthropologists, contemporary technology historians, STS scholars
COURSE CONTENTS
Course Contents 04
COURSE CONTENTS
Course Contents 04
Module 1: Basic Perspectives and Theoretical Contexts of STS
01 Science as Culture
Key points: The socio-cultural dimensions of technology; the basic perspectives, academic contexts, and interdisciplinary characteristics of STS
Lab discussion: What makes scientific knowledge unique compared to other forms of knowledge?
02 Sociology of Scientific Knowledge
Key points: The spirit of science; the Merton school; strong program; relativistic empirical program; the phenomenon of researcher regression
Lab discussion: How does the “science” in textbooks differ from the science in laboratories?
03 “Paradigms” and Scientific Revolutions
Key points: Scientific paradigms; incommensurability; normal science; solving puzzles; anomalies and scientific revolutions
Lab discussion: Was the “heliocentric theory” truly a confrontation between science and religion?
04 The Social Construction of Technology
Key points: The linear view of technological development; the multi-directional view of technology; the social construction of technology; socio-technical systems
Lab discussion: Do the two wheels of a bicycle have to be the same size? How did it evolve into its current form?
05 The Politics of Technological Artifacts
Key points: Technological determinism; the instrumental view of technology; the politics of technological artifacts
Lab discussion: If humans are naturally political beings, can “objects” also have politics?
Module 2: Rethinking Existential Risks and the Future of the Planet
01 The Science and Politics of Global Warming and Environmental Crisis
Key points: The mechanization of nature; eco-feminism; the infrastructure of climate science; climate change skepticism
Lab discussion: How do we know about climate change? Why do some people deny global warming?
02 Experts and the Public in Controversies over Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology
Key points: Public understanding of science; public participation in science; citizen science; citizen epistemology
Lab discussion: How do we define “experts” and “laypeople”? How can one become an “expert”?
03 Critical Studies on Data and Algorithms
Key points: The paradox of “raw data”; the interpretability of algorithms; algorithmic bias and discrimination
Lab discussion: What exactly is data? Is there “objective” “raw data”?
04 AI Ethics and Its Cognitive Foundations
Key points: AI as a socio-technical system; the limitations of computers; the “artifice” behind AI; the environmental impacts of AI
Lab discussion: Does AI really have “intelligence”? How should we interact with AI?
Module 1: Basic Perspectives and Theoretical Contexts of STS
01 Science as Culture
Key points: The socio-cultural dimensions of technology; the basic perspectives, academic contexts, and interdisciplinary characteristics of STS
Lab discussion: What makes scientific knowledge unique compared to other forms of knowledge?
02 Sociology of Scientific Knowledge
Key points: The spirit of science; the Merton school; strong program; relativistic empirical program; the phenomenon of researcher regression
Lab discussion: How does the “science” in textbooks differ from the science in laboratories?
03 “Paradigms” and Scientific Revolutions
Key points: Scientific paradigms; incommensurability; normal science; solving puzzles; anomalies and scientific revolutions
Lab discussion: Was the “heliocentric theory” truly a confrontation between science and religion?
04 The Social Construction of Technology
Key points: The linear view of technological development; the multi-directional view of technology; the social construction of technology; socio-technical systems
Lab discussion: Do the two wheels of a bicycle have to be the same size? How did it evolve into its current form?
05 The Politics of Technological Artifacts
Key points: Technological determinism; the instrumental view of technology; the politics of technological artifacts
Lab discussion: If humans are naturally political beings, can “objects” also have politics?
Module 2: Rethinking Existential Risks and the Future of the Planet
01 The Science and Politics of Global Warming and Environmental Crisis
Key points: The mechanization of nature; eco-feminism; the infrastructure of climate science; climate change skepticism
Lab discussion: How do we know about climate change? Why do some people deny global warming?
02 Experts and the Public in Controversies over Biotechnology and Nuclear Technology
Key points: Public understanding of science; public participation in science; citizen science; citizen epistemology
Lab discussion: How do we define “experts” and “laypeople”? How can one become an “expert”?
03 Critical Studies on Data and Algorithms
Key points: The paradox of “raw data”; the interpretability of algorithms; algorithmic bias and discrimination
Lab discussion: What exactly is data? Is there “objective” “raw data”?
04 AI Ethics and Its Cognitive Foundations
Key points: AI as a socio-technical system; the limitations of computers; the “artifice” behind AI; the environmental impacts of AI
Lab discussion: Does AI really have “intelligence”? How should we interact with AI?
PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites 05
PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites 05
Interested in the fields of technology and society, technology and culture, technology ethics, and technology policy; eager to learn about qualitative research in the humanities and social sciences, interdisciplinary research, and creation; possesses a basic ability to read literature in both Chinese and English.
Interested in the fields of technology and society, technology and culture, technology ethics, and technology policy; eager to learn about qualitative research in the humanities and social sciences, interdisciplinary research, and creation; possesses a basic ability to read literature in both Chinese and English.
"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."
This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."
Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University
"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."
This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."
Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University
"What XA has brought to me, the improvement of CS literacy goes without saying, but what I am more grateful for is being able to meet the top and most outstanding peers of my age. I have seen living MIT, CIT students, consulted TAs who can do nothing but debug, and also gained a bunch of board game friends. Perhaps saying that my dream is to change the world will be laughed at by people, but XA has given me the confidence to turn my dreams into reality."
This road is long, and the places to go are filled with poetry and ideals. The tears and sweat left behind yesterday make me more tenacious and courageous now. This is what XA has taught me: we can always be a little braver."
Haiyi Jin Explorer
Fudan University
MENTORS
Previous Course Mentors 06
MENTORS
Previous Course Mentors 06
Wanheng HU
Academic Mentor 2022, 2025
Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University
Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University
The current research is based on a field study of China's healthcare AI industry, exploring issues related to knowledge production and technological trust involved in the application of deep learning algorithms in medical imaging diagnostics. This research has received support from the National Science Foundation, the Times Culture Foundation Young Scholar Award, the Cornell University Hu Shi Scholarship, and the 9th Chinese Anthropology Graduate Fieldwork Grant, and has been published in the Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Machine Learning. Another research interest is how the public participates in technological affairs, with related studies published in journals such as Public Understanding of Science. Independently offered STS courses include "Social Studies of Automation Technology" and "How to Understand Machine Ethics? Rethinking AI Ethics."
Wanheng HU
Academic Mentor 2022, 2025
Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford University
Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University
The current research is based on a field study of China's healthcare AI industry, exploring issues related to knowledge production and technological trust involved in the application of deep learning algorithms in medical imaging diagnostics. This research has received support from the National Science Foundation, the Times Culture Foundation Young Scholar Award, the Cornell University Hu Shi Scholarship, and the 9th Chinese Anthropology Graduate Fieldwork Grant, and has been published in the Oxford Handbook of the Sociology of Machine Learning. Another research interest is how the public participates in technological affairs, with related studies published in journals such as Public Understanding of Science. Independently offered STS courses include "Social Studies of Automation Technology" and "How to Understand Machine Ethics? Rethinking AI Ethics."
ACADEMIC LEADS
Previous Course TAs 07
ACADEMIC LEADS
Previous Course TAs 07
Gao Siyu
Academic Assistant 2024-2025
Currently pursuing a double major in Science, Technology and Society and Computer Science at Wesleyan University
Researcher at Wesleyan Black Box Lab, primarily studying the future of care practices and the metabolic mechanisms in prisons. Other academic research includes the history of early Chinese film exports and the Guiyu electronic waste ecosystem. The interactive art installation 'Stare' won the Treuhaft Foundation Art and Technology Award. Previously served as a research assistant at the Institute for the Study of Things, primarily focused on archiving and media history of networked practices from the 1990s. Former intern at a gallery and art foundation.
Luan Yunan Anne
Academic Assistant 2025
Department of Architecture, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Currently on exchange at ETH Zurich. A blend of Chinese and French. Designed and built a wooden structure at the entrance of the Geneva Red Cross Museum, participated in curating at the Zurich Museum of Modern Art, and created a small rocket that flew at an altitude of one thousand meters in the EPFL aerospace club. Currently preparing for academic research in extreme environment architecture and space architecture. Recently considering whether to take a year off to advance my carpentry skills, play volleyball, or learn cooking. My dream is to go to outer space, with a short-term goal of working in Antarctica. Humanity's journey is the stars and the sea!
Gao Siyu
Academic Assistant 2024-2025
Currently pursuing a double major in Science, Technology and Society and Computer Science at Wesleyan University
Researcher at Wesleyan Black Box Lab, primarily studying the future of care practices and the metabolic mechanisms in prisons. Other academic research includes the history of early Chinese film exports and the Guiyu electronic waste ecosystem. The interactive art installation 'Stare' won the Treuhaft Foundation Art and Technology Award. Previously served as a research assistant at the Institute for the Study of Things, primarily focused on archiving and media history of networked practices from the 1990s. Former intern at a gallery and art foundation.
Luan Yunan Anne
Academic Assistant 2025
Department of Architecture, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Currently on exchange at ETH Zurich. A blend of Chinese and French. Designed and built a wooden structure at the entrance of the Geneva Red Cross Museum, participated in curating at the Zurich Museum of Modern Art, and created a small rocket that flew at an altitude of one thousand meters in the EPFL aerospace club. Currently preparing for academic research in extreme environment architecture and space architecture. Recently considering whether to take a year off to advance my carpentry skills, play volleyball, or learn cooking. My dream is to go to outer space, with a short-term goal of working in Antarctica. Humanity's journey is the stars and the sea!
Language of instruction
Chinese
Current course fees
23,930
Location
Shanghai
X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-
2024.07.25
Location
Shanghai
Language of instruction
Chinese
Current course fees
23,930
X ACADEMY
Global Explorer Summit
-
2024.07.25
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© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. | 沪ICP备2021004001号-6
OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.
Contact Us
© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. |
OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.
Contact Us
© 2024 | Shanghai Des Education Technology Co., Ltd. | Established in 2016. |
OUR CIVILIZATION WAS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. OUR CIVILIZATION IS BUILT ON TECHNOLOGY. TECHNOLOGY IS THE GLORY OF HUMAN AMBITION AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE SPEARHEAD OF PROGRESS, AND THE REALIZATION OF OUR POTENTIAL. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, WE PROPERLY GLORIFIED THIS – UNTIL RECENTLY. WE, AT X ACADEMY, ARE HERE TO REVITALIZE THAT SPIRIT. TO US, THE FUTURE IS A CANVAS OF VAST POSSIBILITY, PAINTED WITH THE BRUSHES OF INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND OPTIMISM. WE BELIEVE IN A FUTURE WHERE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO BE THE BACKBONE OF ADVANCEMENT, NOT JUST IN MATERIAL TERMS BUT AS A MEANS TO ELEVATE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS. WE ARE THE FUTURE OPTIMISTS, THE DREAMERS, THE MAKERS, AND THE DOERS. WE STAND READY TO COLLABORATE, TO INNOVATE, AND TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW WITH YOU. JOIN US, AS WE EMBARK ON THIS JOURNEY TO IGNITE THE FLAMES OF PROGRESS AND TO CHERISH THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE. IT IS TIME, ONCE AGAIN, TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGY FLAG. IT IS TIME TO BE TECHNO-OPTIMISTS. WITH X ACADEMY, LET'S BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOGETHER.