STS Senior Capstone Courses

As a graduation requirement, all STS students must complete a senior capstone course during their final year. All capstones satisfy the Applied Learning and Writing Intensive College graduation requirements. Students can either take STS 400W - Senior Seminar or STS 401W - Internship. Students who wish to register for the STS 400W - Senior Seminar must have completed at least 90 credits. Students cannot register for the capstone on their own. If interested in registering for STS 400W - Senior Seminar, please contact Kathy ( Kathleen McCormick) and she can help you register for the course. If interested in registering for STS 401W - Internship, please contact STS Internship Coordinator, Prof. Karin Huijgens ( Karin Huijgens).

Summer A 2026

STS 400W - Senior Seminar - Internet & Society
Dr. Caroline Mason | ONLINE | 3 credits | CRN 62481
This writing-intensive seminar applies Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks to examine the Internet as a socio-technical system. The course explores how digital networks and platforms are shaped by social, political, and economic forces and, in turn, shape society and culture. Students are introduced to major concepts and debates concerning the social implications of digital technologies, including algorithmic governance, surveillance capitalism, the digital divide, and artificial intelligence. The course culminates in an original interdisciplinary research paper in which students apply course concepts to critically examine a contemporary social issue related to digital technology.

Summer B 2026

STS 400W - Senior Seminar - Internet & Society
Dr. Caroline Mason | ONLINE | 3 credits | CRN:TBD
This writing-intensive seminar applies Science and Technology Studies (STS) frameworks to examine the Internet as a socio-technical system. The course explores how digital networks and platforms are shaped by social, political, and economic forces and, in turn, shape society and culture. Students are introduced to major concepts and debates concerning the social implications of digital technologies, including algorithmic governance, surveillance capitalism, the digital divide, and artificial intelligence. The course culminates in an original interdisciplinary research paper in which students apply course concepts to critically examine a contemporary social issue related to digital technology.

STS 401W - Internship 
Prof. Francesca Polo | ONLINE | 3 credits | CRN 62021
This course is designed for Science, Technology and Society (STS) majors who wish to complete a semester-long (or equivalent) internship as part of their course of study. Students may choose an internship at a corporation or a civic, educational, governmental, or not-for- profit organization after consultation with and permission of the department chair. Any internship should support learning outcomes and/or career development in the sciences, technology, and/or society. Enrollment in this course is restricted to students with senior status in the STS Program. Students enrolled in an internship will meet periodically with their advisor and will be required to submit internship notes and both a draft and final report of the internship experience at the end of the semester. This is a writing-intensive course. Prerequisite(s): Senior status in STS program and approval of Department Chair

Students who wish to pursue an internship must contact the STS Internship Coordinator, Prof. Karin Huijgens ( Karin Huijgens).