Course synopsis

Stone, fiber, clay, metal, glass, plastic ... only some of the raw materials from which we have designed our modern world, traversing the long road from stone to nanotechnology. The social scientific investigation of ancient and modern technologies provides a perspective on the origins and persistence of the everyday effects that haunt our modern world. This class challenges the student to approach the investigation of technology with a particular attention to such knowledge and practices as skill, invention, design, and engineering that a society employs to solve the everyday dilemmas of existence. This course will improve students’ communication skills as they employ one of humanity's greatest tools, language, in class discussions as well as the writing and revision of written exercises.