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Technology and Culture - HPSC3300
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 36 units of credit
 
 
Excluded: SCTS3900
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Explores issues in the history, philosophy and sociology of technology at advanced level. Issues will be drawn from: technology and everyday life; technological determinism and change; ways of being with technology; the development of technological systems; the social construction of technology; actor-network theory; risk and trust; technology and gender; citizen participation and strategies for technological reform. Emphasis is placed on developing disciplinary skills and literacy required for higher level research in the field.


Learning Outcomes

In this course students will:
  • Develop a more advanced theoretical understanding of the relations between technology and society relations, and learn to apply these theories to complex historical examples of technological change
  • In a series of case studies discussed in seminar format, students will gain an in-depth familiarity with issues surrounding key infrastructure technologies that define the modern world
  • Gain in their capacity for independent critical thinking and research, based in history and other evidence sources, into the possibilities and mechanisms of social change today.

Assessment

  • Reading and seminar discussion journal, two parts - 50% (25% each)
  • Seminar short essay (1500 words) - 20%
  • Research essay (3000 words) - 30%

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.