Stevens Institute of Technology
College of Arts & Letters

Spring 2015
Monday, 9.00-11.30 am, Morton 324

Link to Schedule, Reading List, and Assignments

Course Description: 

This course explores the many aspects of a single question: how do modern societies pay for scientific research and technological innovation? We begin with a theoretical consideration of Joseph Schumpeter's concept of "creative destruction" and an historical investigation of the American system of innovation that took shape in the late 19th and early 20th century. We then study the emergence of the 20th century dichotomy between "basic science" and "applied research," and see how research and innovation at Bell Labs forces us to reconsider stark distinctions between science, technology, and innovation. We then examine research and innovation policy in the late 20th and early 21st centuries by looking at case studies such as the iPhone and information technologies, clean energy technologies, nanotechnology, and Google. We will pay close attention to the global contexts of research and innovation policy, and to the connections between policy and cultural values such as individual privacy, economic growth, social justice, sustainability, and the dignity of humans in all nations. In addition to weekly meetings and writing assignments, students will work in groups throughout the semester to create oral and written policy briefings on emerging issues in research and innovation policy.

Link to Course and Program Objectives and Outcomes

Textbook to purchase (available in the campus store):

Mariana Mazzucato
The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Public vs. Private Sector Myths
Anthem Press, 2013
ISBN: 0857282522

The remainder of the course readings will be available from the course website or on Canvas.

Writing & Communications Center:

The College of Arts & Letters maintains the Writing & Communications Center at Stevens in Morton 210. Their office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. You can stop in or make an appointment to get help with your papers, presentations, and all other work you do at Stevens. I have never had a student visit the WCC and come back with a lower grade on their assignment.

Honor Board Policies:

You should by now be familiar with The Honor System at the Stevens Institute of Technology. It is your responsibility to uphold the ideals set forth in the Honor System Constitution. Specific student responsibilities include:

• Maintaining honesty and fair play in all aspects of academic life at Stevens;
• Writing and signing the pledge, in full, on all submitted academic work;
• Reporting any suspected violations to an Honor Board member or to the Dean of Student Development;
• Cooperating with the Honor Board during investigations and hearings.

If you ever have questions about how to interpret the Honor System in relation to your work in this class, please get in touch with me.

Students with disabilities:

If you require special accommodations due to a disability, or if you need individual arrangements should the building be evacuated, you must inform the office of Student Counseling and Psychological Services, Dr. Jodi Streich, Director, in the Howe Center, 7th floor (x5177), and complete the Faculty Contact Form. Once you have done so, you should ask to meet with me so that we can work out any special arrangements that may be necessary.

Grades and Course Policies:  

Attendance is mandatory. Any absences must be accounted for by notifying me before the start of class; otherwise I will need verification from an outside authority (i.e., doctor, coach, another professor) explaining why it was necessary for you to miss class. Cell phones should either be turned off or silenced and put away. Students may not use laptops or other computers (tablets, etc.) in class without my permission. You should stay awake at all times during class. Any students in violation of these simple rules will be marked as absent for that particular class.

Grades will be based on the following criteria:

• class participation (including attendance, preparedness, and contributions to discussions) (40%)
  • To evaluate your participation I use Prof. Vinsel's Zombie Scale of Classroom Participation
• policy briefing project (30%)
• final exam (30%)

Percentages are approximate. I will determine final weights at the end of the course. I reserve the right to give pop quizzes.

Link to Schedule, Reading List, and Assignments