How does technology relate to culture? What does our relationship with technology and products tell us about society? We aim to develop our own answers to these questions through learning and discussing a wide variety of examples.
The seminars introduce notions of design theory, craft studies, literary criticism, translation theories and material culture studies to investigate technological products, materials, processes, and cultures. The classes will provide a panoramic view of the relations between people and things interpreted through key theoretical frameworks. The transdisciplinary and non-hierarchical study of both high and low technologies aims to spark lively discussions using relevant, practical and accessible examples.
✔ Applicable | How instructors' work experience benefits the course |
---|---|
Dr Giorgio Salani discusses the relationship between manufacturing, society and citizens drawing on his wealth of experience as an engineering consultant not only as a researcher. |
design, material culture, technology, craft, literature, translation, critical thinking, speculation
Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Lecture and workshops
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Translating Materials and Technology into text: Introduction to Translation Studies | - |
Class 2 | Experiment 1: Science Fiction - making stories using technological motifs | - |
Class 3 | Experiment 2: Literary Naturalism - making "natural" story | - |
Class 4 | Technology as a text | - |
Class 5 | Introduction to Material Culture Studies at the intersection with Design | - |
Class 6 | Technology and the Handmade: Introduction to Craft Studies | - |
Class 7 | High and Low Tech: Historical case studies in Technological Innovation | - |
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.
None
None
Attendance, class contribution, assignment
None, English
salani.g.aa[at]m.titech.ac.jp Nohara lab, TSE, School of Environment and Society
13:30-17:00
5-6 slot, Jan 29wed, Feb 5wed, 12wed, 19wed, 20thu, 26wed, 27thu (subject to change)