30 Aug Why exactly are there persistent disparities in STEM? How might we begin to explain these patterns?
Order Instructions
I’m posing some preliminary questions regarding patterns of disparities in STEM.( STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Once we’ve finished our investigations into the ‘prehistory’ of science and technology studies (STS), we will focus more in-depth at the historical and ongoing relationships between social variables – including, of course, gender – and STEM. Let’s take some time here this week to consider some of the following questions…
1.If we were to look at relevant data sets and find out that there are gender (and race, class, and other social) disparities in STEM, would you be surprised?
2.Who goes into STEM in the first place? Within STEM, who is more likely to specialize in certain areas? What might we expect to see in terms of gender and pay in STEM? What about full vs. part-time or unemployed status in STEM fields across different groups of folks?
3.What variables or factors might account for the patterns of gendered and other disparities that do indeed exist in STEM?
4.Why exactly are there persistent disparities in STEM? How might we begin to explain these patterns?
5.Are there steps that might be taken to reduce or eliminate gendered and other disparities in STEM?
Sourses:
Paoletta, Rae. 2017. “Men Have Always Used ‘Science’ to Explain Why They’re Better Than Women.” Gizmodo
https://gizmodo.com/men-have-always-used-science-to-explain-why-theyre-bett-1797608461/amp
Lewontin, Richard et al. 2017. Ch. 6 – “The Determined Patriarchy” in Not in Our Genes: Biology, Ideology, and Human Nature. pp. 131-163. Haymarket Books. Harding, Sandra. 1986. The Science Question in Feminism. Chapter 3: “The Social Structure of Science: Complaints and Disorders” pp. 58-64; 72-81 Cornell University Press.
