History of Technology
Overall Course Objectives
The course gives the student an understanding of the interaction between technology and humans, knowledge, culture, economy as well as politics from ancient times to the present. Working with history, the student will gain a greater historical understanding, critical appreciation of source material and knowledge about basic approaches to the history of technology. Communication and argumentation skills will develop.
Learning Objectives
- Assess the relationship between a historical age and the technology in that age
- Exemplify elements of the complex interactions between technology, culture, economy, knowledge and society over time
- Apply historical and history of technology methods and identify which school of thought in the history of technology a method belongs to
- Quickly scan large amounts of information and identify the central arguments contained in books and articles on the History of Technology
- Identify strong and weak points in the argumentation in presentations of history
- Understand and formulate the relationship between information and interpretation in a historical text or other source material
- Apply sources, source criticism and academic referencing techniques
- Analyze a historical issue
- Present the above in written and oral form, structured and well-argued
Course Content
An overview of important technological developments from ancient times until today is addressed through lectures, articles, film, historical artefacts, student exercises and presentations as well as trips to exhibitions and historical sites.
This is supplemented with further analysis of different themes which may include the relationship between technology and science, everyday technology, war and technology, medicine and the body, sustainability, users and industry. Topics span from power sources over work and industry, the influence of natural resources on the development of technology to technology and knowledge transfer, systems engineering and technical innovation processes.
Recommended prerequisites
Min. 2 years of study or 42610/42611 Theory of Engineering Science (Ingeniørfagets Videnskabsteori) or wquivalent course. A good command of the English language.
Teaching Method
Lectures, presentations, project work and excursions.
Faculty
Remarks
This course requires students to work with complicated arguments, read long texts, and produce advanced presentations both orally and in writing. It is only recommended to students with (1) a good command of the English language or (2) a good command of Danish and the ability to understand written or orally presented English.
Limited number of seats
Minimum: 10, Maximum: 20.
Please be aware that this course has a minimum requirement for the number of participants needed, in order for it to be held. If these requirements are not met, then the course will not be held. Furthermore, there is a limited number of seats available. If there are too many applicants, a pool will be created for the remainder of the qualified applicants, and they will be selected at random. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether you have been allocated a spot.