General 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
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
- 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
- Document and create traceability in learning and historical
work
Content
We examine examples from the history of technology from ancient
times until today through lectures, articles, film, historical
artefacts, student exercises and presentations as well as trips to
exhibitions and historical sites. We take a holistic view of
technology and sociotechnical networks.
This is supplemented with further analysis of different themes
which may include the relationship between Invention and the old,
everyday technology, military and technology, medicine and the
body, sustainability, users and industry. Topics span from power
sources over work and industry, the interplay between natural
resources and technology, the idea of modernity, systems technology
and the role of experts.
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.
Last updated
02. maj, 2024