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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.)
- Mon1-2(M-124) Thr1-2(M-124)
- Group
- -
- Course number
- LAH.T203
- Credits
- 2
- Academic year
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- 2024/3/14
- Lecture notes updated
- -
- Language used
- Japanese
- Access Index
-
Course description and aims
In this course, we will examine the history of technology from the Industrial Revolution to the late 20th century. Particularly since the modern era, technological changes have exerted a profound influence on the unfolding of history. The transportation revolution, epitomized by advancements such as steamships, railways, and telegraphy, was instrumental in shaping 19th-century imperialism. Furthermore, discussing the Cold War without considering the existence of nuclear weapons would be impossible. While traditionally science has evolved separately from technology, in the modern era, the integration between science and technology has rapidly strengthened through the mediation of states and capital, leading to the birth of techno-science. This course will provide an overview of modern and contemporary history of technology from the perspective of the integration of science and technology.
Student learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Consider technology from broader perspectives
2. Understand the role that technology has played in the world history.
Keywords
Industrial Revolution (First, Second), Transportation Revolution, Science-based Technology, Military Technology
Competencies that will be developed
| Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Class flow
The class will be given in a standard lecture style. Students will be required to submit comments or questions after the class. Each class starts with the lecturer's reviewing the comments.
Course schedule/Required learning
| Course schedule | Required learning | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction: Overview of the Industrial Revolution | No requirements. |
| Class 2 | Historical Significance of the Textile Industry: Formation of Modern Industrial Economy | Read course materials |
| Class 3 | Applied Chemistry: From Chlorine Bleaching to Synthetic Dyes | Read course materials |
| Class 4 | Mechanical Engineering: Iron, Coal, and Steam Engines | Read course materials |
| Class 5 | Formation of Land and Sea Transportation Infrastructure: Roads, Railways, and Steamships | Read course materials |
| Class 6 | Globalization in the 19th Century: Electric Telegraphy as a Tool of Empire | Read course materials |
| Class 7 | The Second Industrial Revolution | Read course materials |
| Class 8 | Formation of Electric Lighting and Power Systems | Read course materials |
| Class 9 | Making Production Science: Standardization, Interchangeability, Scientific Management, Mass Production | Read course materials |
| Class 10 | Transformation of Power and Transportation: Petroleum, Internal Combustion Engines, Automobiles, and Aviation Technologies | Read course materials |
| Class 11 | Technology in the Age of Total War (1): Haber-Bosch Process and World War I | Read course materials |
| Class 12 | Technology in the Age of Total War (2): Manhattan Project and Development of the Atomic Bomb | Read course materials |
| Class 13 | The Cold War, Computer and Internet: The Third Industrial Revolution? | Read course materials |
| Class 14 | Summary: Science and Technology as Environment | No requirements. |
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 other course material.
Textbook(s)
Robert Friedel. A Culture of Improvement: Technology and the Western Millennium. (MIT Press 2007)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Lewis Mumford, Technics and Civilization (Harcourt,1934)
T. K. Derry and Trevor I. Williams, A short history of technology from the earliest times to A.D. 1900 ((Oxford University Press 1960)
Donald Cardwell, Wheels, Clocks and Rockets: A History of Technology (W. W. Norton & Company 1994)
Horn, Jeff, Leonard N. Rosenband, and Merritt Roe Smith, eds. Reconceptualizing the Industrial Revolution. (MIT Press 2010)
Takahiko Hasegawa, Sangyo Kakumei (Iwanami shoten 2012）
Further reference will be given in the course of lecture. All materials used in class can be found on T2SCHOLA.
Assessment criteria and methods
Evaluation is based on the submission of forms before each session (20%) and a final report (80%). 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.T303 ： History of Technology C
- LAH.S416 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences16:History of Technology
Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)
No prerequisites.
