Teaching at the University of Maryland (2019-2021)

In Fall 2019 and Spring 2020, I taught CPSS 225: Capstone in Science Technology and Society at the University of Maryland for the College Park Scholars living-learning program in Science, Technology and Society. Also Fall 2019 and Fall 2020, I taught ENEE 200: Technology and Consequences: Engineering, Ethics, and Humanity for the University of Maryland Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Finally, in Spring 2020 and Spring 2021, I taught ENES 214/216 Engineering Social Change for the Women in Engineering program.

Teaching at Michigan State University (2013-2016)

Teaching HPS at Lyman Briggs College, MSU

Why is History, Philosophy and Sociology of Science (also called Science and Technology Studies) important for Lyman Briggs Students? HPS classes train Lyman Briggs students how to understand and explain the big picture of how scientific knowledge is produced! As an example, please see  Alana O'Mara describing how HPS concepts from LB133 helped her to perform her work as an intern at the National Institutes of Health the summer after her first year at LBC in 2014. Her essay was subsequently featured on MSU Today. Alternatively, listen to Dr. Williams answer this question in her video presentation below, or first year PhD student (and Briggs alum) Megan Frayer talk about its importance to her graduate work in genetics.

LB 133 INTRO TO HPS

• FALL 2013 - FALL 2016, LB 133 Introduction to History, Philosophy & Sociology of Science (15 weeks, 4 credits), Lyman Briggs College, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
  • FALL 2013, Link to FS13 LB133-13H Capstone Project
  • SPRING 2014, Link to SS14 LB133-7 Capstone Project
  • FALL 2014, Link to FS14 LB133-11H Capstone Project
  • SPRING 2015, Link to SS15 LB133-03 Capstone Project
  • FALL 2015, Link to FS15 LB133-03 Capstone Project
  • FALL 2016, Link to FS16 LB133-03 Capstone Project

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Examples of LB 133 CLASS BOOKLETS

LB 336 Race, Sex, Globalization and ICTs

Once per year starting SPRING 2015, LB 336 Gender, Sexuality, Sci, Tech, Topic: Race, Sex, Globalization and ICTs (15 weeks, 4 credits), Lyman Briggs College, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Example of LB 290E Independent Study

• SPRING 2014, LB 290E Directed Study--History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science
  • O'Mara, Alana. 2014. "Balancing the Future Between a Healthy and Hungry Society with the Corn Industry." Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Sept.
  • O’Mara, Alana. 2015. “Sustainability in the United States Corn Industry: Challenges and Approaches.” ST Global Conference. April 10-11, AAAS and NAS,  Washington D.C.

Teaching Sociology Courses at MSU

• SPRING 2016, SOC 985, Qualitative Field Research (15 weeks, 3 credits), Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

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• FALL 2014, SOC 368 Science, Technology & Society (15 weeks, 3 credits), Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

• SPRING 2014, SOC 499 Social Issues & Change in Society, Topic: Science, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship (15 weeks, 3 credits), Department of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

 Other Teaching Experience (2012-2013)

• February 20, 2013 and February 27, 2013, Race, Sex and the Global STEM Workforce Reading Seminar for Graduate Students (2 weeks, non-credit), North Carolina State University.

• June 2012 and July 2012, Research Seminar for Faculty (8 weeks, non-credit), Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India