News

The following courses have been added to the STV Diploma for the 2026–2027 year:

Fundamentals

• STV212 - Technology and Society in Film (0.50)

Critical theory and ethics

• ARBUS202 - Professional and Business Ethics (0.50)
• STV201 - Society, Technology and Values: Special Topics (0.50)
• STV401 - Society, Technology and Values: Advanced Topics (0.50)

Critical thinking: Issues and applications

• GBDA203 - Introduction to Digital Culture (0.50)

• STV201 - Society, Technology and Values: Special Topics (0.50)
• STV401 - Society, Technology and Values: Advanced Topics (0.50)

The following courses that are eligible for the STV Diploma are available in Fall 2025:

Fundamentals:

• STV100 - Society, Technology and Values: Introduction
• STV210 - The Computing Society (0.50)
• HIST212 - The Computing Society (0.50)

Critical theory and ethics:

• ENVS105 - Environmental Sustainability and Ethics (0.50)
• PHIL215 - Professional and Business Ethics (0.50)
• PHIL226 - Biomedical Ethics (0.50)
• PHIL228 - Ethics and Artificial Intelligence (0.50)
• SOC232 - Technology and Social Change (0.50)
• STV305 - Technology, Society and the Modern City (0.50)

Critical thinking: Issues and applications:

• AE101 - History of the Built Environment (0.50)
• ARCH142 - Introduction to Cultural History (0.50)
• ENGL108D - Digital Lives (0.50)
• ENGL295 - Social Media (0.50)
• ERS215 - Environmental and Sustainability Assessment 1 (0.50)
• ERS270 - Introduction to Sustainable Agroecosystems (0.50)
• LS329 - Security and Governance (0.50)
• NE109 - Societal and Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology (0.50)
• PACS201 - Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace (0.50)
• PACS315 - Engineering and Peace (0.50)
• SOC329 - Security and Governance (0.50)

Fall 2025

ENGL 344: Modern American Literature 
Modernist Techno-Culture - Data, Network, Surveillance, Automation

Taught by Professor Heather Love, this course will explore how authors responded in creative and insightful ways as they sought to understand the implications of technological changes and to articulate strategies for addressing their challenges; not to mention lessons for today’s readers. In this course, we will explore some of those transhistorical resonances by tracking connections between modernist-era texts and four present-day technology keywords: Data, Network, Surveillance, and Automation.

For more information: https://uwaterloo.ca/english/undergrad-this-years-courses/engl-344-modern-american-literature

Collaboration and teamwork are essential for solving complex, real-world problems and are in high demand by employers. In fact, according to a recent survey, the #1 attribute employers look for when hiring is the ability to work well in a team. Yet students rarely have the opportunity to study and apply the theories and best practices for making collaboration work. In this course, you will crack the code of making collaboration work by leveraging this research to acquire a variety of important skills. Open to all 2A+ UW students!

Listed on the Faculty of Engineering Complementary Studies List.

Link for more info: https://uwaterloo.ca/knowledge-integration/current-undergraduates/course-offerings/ki-elective-courses/integ-210 

The Centre is sad to learn the passing of David Brian Huron.  David was a composer, musician and scholar.   He was also an instructor here at the Centre:

"Upon completing a PhD in 1989, David was appointed Assistant Professor of Music at Conrad Grebel College, receiving a promotion to Associate Professor in 1991. He held concurrent positions at the University of Waterloo, including administrative Coordinator and principal instructor at UW's Center for Society, Technology, and Values. At the University of Waterloo, he also held complimentary appointments as Associate Professor of Psychology (1994-1998) and Adjunct Professor of Systems Design Engineering (1994-1998)."

See his obituary for more information.

In May 2025, we started looking for students interested in being part of a student club related to our own interests in society, technology and values.

Come to the opening event in our new film series about technology and society. Blade Runner (1982), the Final Cut!

Looking for an elective about technology and society to develop your critical thinking skills and give you a chance to reflect on the costs and benefits of technology? Then join our Spring 2025 tour!

Remember: all STV courses are open to everyone, and for engineers these are List A & C CSEs!

Systems Design faculty members can apply for Cornfield/CSTV Climate Adaptation Coop Research Funding until the end of November. Email Scott Campbell if you have questions, or connect with Natasha Poley to apply.

Check out our new courses for Winter 2025:

• STV 201 Technology and Society in Film
• STV 304 Technology in Canadian Society

Posters and details here.