Gendered Innovations in Science, Medicine, Engineering, and Environment
Eligibility
Only Sophomores and First-Year Transfers who have fulfilled Writing 1. If Winter is your PWR2 quarter, you still must submit your 7 PWR2 preferences at vcapwr.stanford.edu; applying for this seminar does not negate that step. If you are admitted for the Writing 2 IntroSem, the seminar will be added to your study list. It will be considered your first choice and with admission, you will lose all your PWR2 section preferences.
Frosh should NOT apply for Writing 2 Sophomore Seminars because they will not be admitted.
Prerequisites
Completion of PWR 1 or other WR 1 course.
Course Description
Gendered Innovations harness the creative power of sex, gender, and intersectional analysis for innovation and discovery. We focus on sex and gender, and consider factors intersecting with sex and gender, including age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, educational background, disabilities, etc. We start with the history of gender in science in the scientific revolution to understand how to transform research institutions so that women, men, and non-binary individuals can flourish. The majority of the course is devoted to considering gendered innovations in AI, social robotics, health & medicine, design of cars and cockpits, menstrual products, marine science, and more.
Each student will develop a case study related to their interests illustrating how sex, gender, and/or intersectional analysis can lead to innovation, and enhance social equity and environmental sustainability. Our weekly format includes critical reading of cutting-edge work in the field. Students should come ready to discuss and enjoy an open exchange of ideas. Key questions for the class will include—
- How can we develop public health measures, products, services, and infrastructures that work well for people across all of society?
- How can we create science and technology that nurture a just, equitable, and verdant society?
This course will emphasize writing skills as well as oral and multimedia presentation; it fulfills the second level Writing and Rhetoric Requirement (WRITE 2), WAY-ED, and WAY-SI.
Meet the Instructor: Londa Schiebinger
"I hope you will be as excited by Gendered Innovations as I am. I have had excellent students over the years. Two won writing prizes; two have done start-ups; many stay in touch. I lecture on Gendered Innovations all around the world—today I was in Pamplona, Spain, next week in Paris and Seoul, next month in Buenos Aires and Pretoria—mostly virtually which saves time and dramatically reduces carbon. I often work as an expert for the European Commission (the major funding agency in Europe), consult for the Japan Science Council, and hold design workshops for Vinnova, the Swedish Innovation Agency. I also work with peer-reviewed journals and universities to develop infrastructures that promote equity and innovation. I love research and putting ideas into action. Some of my books include: The Mind Has No Sex?; Nature's Body; Has Feminism Changed Science?; Plants and Empire: Colonial Bioprospecting in the Atlantic World. Please visit this website for more information."
Of related interest
FEMGEN 44Q