INTRODUCING THE SCIENCE, TECH, AND PUBLIC POLICY LISTSERV!!!!!!!!!!!

What is it? The STPP listserv is an online interactive discussion group using all our university-granted e-mail accounts. If e-mail is a telephone call, a listserv is a conference call.

Students (so far only in the GW Graduate Department) have participated in ongoing disucssions with other S&T students regarding either topics specifc to their courses or topics in the greater S&Tgenre.

Since its inception, we have covered topics ranging from the implications of Competitiveness policy on R&D, to Complexity theory, to NASA futures to the NII and the Open Platform proposal.

WHY WE BEGAN THE STPP LISTSERV

The listserv was meant to be both a lubricant for social organization and a forum to discuss issues that we are engaged in in our lives, in our careers and in our education.

The American educational system is sadly lacking in its ability to 'discuss'. Professors lecture at you, books lecture at you and exams ask you to vomit out those lectures.

Since we are all out of the dorms now, and cannot participate in those wonderful all night babble sessions, we lack a particularly apt forum to consolidate our own ideas.

True consolidation of ideas depends on discussion..not lecture. Lecture gives you the tools but discussion teaches you how to use them. Lecture is only supplemental.

The listserv forum is just what is needed to complete one's education.

FUTURE PROJECTS AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE LIST

This listserv though, has potentials beyond being a supplement to our courses. And certainly, as it grows to incorporate S&T programs nationally, it will tend to outgrow such basic uses. There are two other benefits the growth of this list would bestow on its members.

First, by joining a trans-university vibrant community of other students from other programs, we could all reach beyond the limited scope of our own programs. As there are only a limited amount of STPP programs around the country, such a national discussion would only enhance the prowess of future S&T analysts and enhance the reputation of the field. Further, S&T analysts would be better equiped to benefit society.

Second, such a forum would promote networking so that as a group, we would be more organized, powerful, informed and directed. The consequences of having chosen one program over others when we were accpeted to graduate programs will not limit us. We can gain from all departments at all the campuses

PROGRAMS IN DEVELOPMENT

Besides interests and arguments we as students bring to the discussions, we plan to involve professors and inspirational figures (like scientists or Congresspeople) who, from time to time, can both guide and inspire discussion.

Such involvement is still in planning and requires that the discussion participants reach a certain critical mass. However, we have imagined online lectures in which a guest speaker would upload a paper (perhaps lecture notes) and then guide the discussion which that lecture inspired answering questions and participating in dialogue.

HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED

Simply send e-mail to erict@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu. In the body of your letter include your school and department and a note saying "sign me up".

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