Elke Hemminger,* Department of Sociology/Social Work, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

Michael Waltemathe, Department of Protestant Theology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

Abstract

A lack of science and technology awareness impairs students in the humanities and social sciences in their participation in social discourse about science and technology. However, students express the wish that innovative technology, science and interdependencies with society should be addressed as a topic in their university studies. Closing the gap between students expectations, societal needs and the reality of university education proves difficult, as addressing these topics in university courses in the humanities and social sciences is a complex challenge. A novel university teaching program based on empirical data has been designed and tested to address this issue.      

Keywords:  science and technology awareness, STEM subjects, interdisciplinary

*Corresponding author.  Email:  hemminger@evh-bochum.de