This course provides an introduction to the history of technology for the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) major. The course surveys major technological developments from ancient to modern times with particular attention to social, political, and cultural contexts in Europe and the United States.
This course provides an introduction to the history of technology for the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) major. The course surveys major technological developments from ancient to modern times with particular attention to social, political, and cultural contexts in Europe and the United States. You will also think critically about the theory of technological determinism, the ways in which technology has defined “progress” and “civilization”, and the major ethical considerations surrounding today’s technological decisions.
This course begins with discussions of the promotion of technology in centralized states of the ancient and medieval worlds: the Roman Empire, Song and Ming China, and the Islamic Abbasid Empire. After a period of relative decline, the states of Western Europe centralized and flourished once again, having benefited from the westward transmission of key ideas and technologies from the East.
The focus of the course then shifts to the West, to the technologies of the Renaissance in Italy, industrialization, imperialism, and World War I. Unbounded faith in technology, which was characteristic of the 19th century, suffered a severe blow after two industrial world wars. Today, many nations that are interested in technological solutions to social, medical, and military problems also value a healthy environment and respect human and civil rights.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain technological determinism with a concrete example.
- Define and identify a primary source.
- Explain Aristotle’s philosophy of technology.
- Identify and explain major Roman technologies.
- Identify and explain technologies developed in China or by the Mongols.
- Compare and contrast male and female work in the medieval West.
- Explain the social and political importance of the medieval plow and stirrup.
-Compare and contrast Romanesque and Gothic Cathedrals.
- Identify and explain major technological developments of the Renaissance movement.
- Identify and explain major technologies of exploration.
- Explain the theory of the Military Revolution.
- Define the Scientific Revolution.
- Define Mechanical Philosophy.
- Summarize main events of the Industrial Revolution.
- Explain Watt’s steam engine.
- Explain the social and gender implications of the factory system.
- Compare and contrast American and European industrialization.
- Identify and explain major technologies of imperialism.
- Define the Second Industrial Revolution.
- Compare and contrast major technologies of WWI and WWII.
- Define and explain socio-technical systems.
- Explain Taylor’s Scientific Management.
- Explain the ideological significance of Cold War technologies.
- Define feminist and environmental perspectives on technology.
- Identify pros and cons of natural gas and nuclear power.
- Identify ethical issues raised by modern medical technology.
