Choose a controversy (environmental, political, social, contemporary or historical) that you find interesting. The topic can be something you are already familiar with, or something new to you that you are curious about. Explain what the points of contention are, and then analyze the knowledge claims that are at stake. Your analysis should draw on some of the principles of science studies that you have been discussing throughout the semester, and in particular in the block-session. Your discussion, therefore, should go beyond a “he said vs. she said” description. Instead, you should, e.g., identify some of the contingencies in the claims, discuss how particular claims were established as ‘facts,’ look at the role of witness testimony and who is able to speak to ‘truth,’ or inquire into questions of evidence, representation or authenticity (scientific, legal, social).
Sample Solution