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- School of Science
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School of Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Mechanical Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Systems and Control Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Information and Communications Engineering
- Undergraduate major in Industrial Engineering and Economics
- Common courses
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
- School of Environment and Society
- 工学院，物質理工学院，環境・社会理工学院共通科目
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- First-Year Courses
- School of Science
- School of Engineering
- School of Materials and Chemical Technology
- School of Computing
- School of Life Science and Technology
-
School of Environment and Society
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
- Department of Social and Human Sciences
- Department of Innovation Science
- Graduate major in Technology and Innovation Management
- Common courses
- Liberal arts and basic science courses
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Kawanishi Toma
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- Day/Period(Room No.)
- Wed5-6(S2-204(S221))
- Group
- -
- Course number
- LAH.S416
- Credits
- 1
- Academic year
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- 2023/3/20
- Lecture notes updated
- -
- Language used
- Japanese
- Access Index
-
Course description and aims
This course provides an examination of the current state of research in the history of technology. The focus of the course shifts annually, with this year's themes being 'Infrastructure' and 'Environment.' Since the Industrial Revolution humans have come to live increasingly in an artificially built world, e.g., transport and communication networks, and water and sewage systems. This course aims to understand how humans have come to inhabit an increasingly artificial world.
Drawing upon Thomas P. Hughes' seminal work, "Human-Built World: How to Think about Technology and Culture"(The University of Chicago Press, 2004) we will consider modern technology as a form of "second nature." This course provides a comprehensive overview of the field of the history of technology in the English-speaking world, illuminating the dynamic interplay between technology and culture.
Student learning outcomes
1. To broaden the students' perspective on technology through the study of the recent historiography of technology.
2. To become able to think about technology in connection with world history.
Keywords
History of Technology, Infrastructure, Environmental History, Technology Critique
Competencies that will be developed
| Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Class flow
During each class, the duration of the lesson will be approximately 60 minutes. Students will be required to provide feedback on the lecture's content by submitting comments. In the second half of the class, there will be an emphasis on discussion, primarily based on the comments provided by the students.
Course schedule/Required learning
| Course schedule | Required learning | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction; The Industrial Revolution of iron, coal, and steam | Reading: Chapter 1 |
| Class 2 | Technology as the Second Creation and its Reaction | Reading: Chapter 2 |
| Class 3 | Infrastructure during the Second Industrial Revolution. | None Required |
| Class 4 | Technology and Culture in the Second Industrial Revolution | Reading: Chapter 3, 5 (pp. 112-136) |
| Class 5 | Environmentalization of Information Technology during the Cold War | None Required |
| Class 6 | Cultural Representation in the Age of Technological Systems | Reading: Chapters 4, 5 (pp. 137-152) |
| Class 7 | Creating an Ecotechnological Environment | Reading: Chapter 6 |
Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Thomas P. Hughes. Human-Built World: How to Think about Technology and Culture. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2004.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Rosalind Williams. Notes on the Underground, new edition: An Essay on Technology, Society, and the Imagination. MIT Press, 2008.
Ulrike Felt, et al. (eds) The Handbook of Science and Technology Studies Fourth Edition, MIT Press, 2017.
Assessment criteria and methods
Evaluation is based on the submission of forms before each session (50%) and a final report (50%). If you use a generative AI, like ChatGPT, in your report, please make sure to indicate this and support its accuracy with proper references.
Related courses
- LAH.T103 ： History of Technology A
- LAH.T203 ： History of Technology B
- LAH.T303 ： History of Technology C
Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)
No prerequisites.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).
kawanishi.t.ac[at]m.titech.ac.jp
