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2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC2305 Introduction to Technological Change in History

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Richard Gunn

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

Pre-requisite qualifications

20 credits of Level 1 HPSC modules or equivalent.

This module is mutually exclusive with

HPSC2302Technological Change in History
HPSC2500Technological Change in History

Module replaces

HPSC2500 Technological Change in History

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

What factors influence the technologies we have? Is it simply a matter of choosing the best for a particular need? Historians of technology would almost universally answer no to both of these questions. The purpose of the module is to introduce students to a variety of approaches used by historians of technology. To demonstrate how affective the different approaches can be we examine several case studies drawn from the following areas: communications technologies; computing and information technologies; biomedical technologies; electrical technologies. In order to understand fully why technology changes in the way it does we examine the wider social, political and cultural situations in which technologies develop. Artefacts such as automobiles, operating theatres, power stations or mobile phones, for example, are not simply invented or manufactured solely with technical excellence in mind. They appear in what historians call a context. The course examines how these non-technical factors, from outright political manipulation to sales and marketing strategies, affect the final product. By the end of the module, students will be in a position to assess the merits or demerits of the various approaches used in the history of technology. They will then be able to examine specific case studies with a view to testing these approaches in practice. Pre-requisites: EITHER HPSC 1400, OR 40 credits Level 1 HIST modules, OR 40 credits Level 1 COMM modules.

Objectives

By the end of the course students should be able to:

i) discuss principal themes in historiography of technology;
ii) show detailed knowledge of two historical case studies on technological change;
iii) critically evaluate historical writing in the case study topics.

Syllabus

General themes: continuity and discontinuity in technological change; evolutionary vs. political historiographies of technology; the comparative explanatory significance of inventors, workers, institutions and consumers.

Two case studies drawn from the following areas:

Communication technologies, e.g. Information technology, Printing press.
Scientific instruments, e.g. Microscope, Diagnostic technologies.
Biomedical technologies, e.g. Contraception & Assisted conception.
Electrical technologies, e.g. Phonograph, Lighting.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar81.008.00
Private study hours81.00
Total Contact hours19.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

3 hours reading per lecture: 33 hours;
4 hours reading per seminar: 32 hours;
Essay preparation: 16 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar participation and written feedback on essay plan.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,000 words100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/07/2010

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