Science, Technology, and Society: An Encyclopedia - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195141938 ISBN 13: 9780195141931

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2005

Synopsis

Emphasizing an interdisciplinary and international coverage of the functions and effects of science and technology in society and culture, Science, Technology, and Society contains over 130 A to Z signed articles written by major scholars and experts from academic and scientific institutions and institutes worldwide. Each article is accompanied by a selected bibliography. Other features include extensive cross referencing throughout, a directory of contributors, and an extensive topical index.

About this title

About the Author:

Sal Restivo is Professor, Department of Science and Technology Studies at Renssalear Polytechnic Institute and President Emeritus of the Society for Social Studies of Science. His previous works include Comparative Studies in Science and Society (ed; 1974); The Social Relations of Physics, Mysticism, and Mathematics: Studies in Social Structure, Interests, and Ideas (1983); The Sociological Worldview (1991); Science, Society, and Values: Toward a Sociology of Objectivity (1994); Degrees of Compromise: Industrial Interests and Academic Values (2001).

From Booklist:

Emphasizing an interdisciplinary and international coverage of the functions and effects of science and technology in society and culture, this volume contains more than 130 A-Z signed articles written by major scholars and experts from academic and scientific institutions and institutes worldwide. Its goals are "summarizing basic tenets in the field" of ST&S (Science, Technology, and Society) and "providing a concise and coherent overview of the achievements in this field."

The entries fit broadly into three major areas: medicine and society, science and society, and technology and society. Entries cover such topics as Brain and mind science, Gender and globalization, Rain forests, and Robots and society. Each article is accompanied by a bibliography. Other features include extensive cross--referencing throughout, a directory of contributors, and a topical index. Articles generally range in length from 1 to 2 pages up to 6 or 8 pages. The longest, Science in history, is almost 60 pages and has nine subentries offering a global view. The introduction suggests that readers would include high-school students as well as professional researchers; the readership level of the entries appears to vary widely from very elementary to expert. Except for one or two tables of data, the volume contains no illustrations.

There are several other reference works treating this fairly new field of study. Many of the 900 entries in The Facts On File Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Society (1999) are focused less on theory than on practicalities, covering specific topics such as airbags and eyeglasses. UXL's Science, Technology, and Society (2002) is designed for a younger audience. The Oxford title is recommended for those libraries with a specific need in this area and for general undergraduate reference collections. Diana Shonrock
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0195141938
• ISBN 13: 9780195141931
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 728
• Editor: Restivo Sal