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History of Technology: Tools of Toil
Have we invested more in our symbols of technology than they can promise us in satisfying our hunger for contentment, comfort and convenience?
The history of tool use and technological innovation is a global enterprise reflecting an expression of everything that is human.
Assignments | Calendar | Texts | Grades
Carroll Pursell, White Heat, Berkeley: U C Press, 1994.
Arnold Pacey, Technology In World Civilization (TWC), 1990.
Neil Postman, Technopoly
Michio Kaku, Visions
option:
Don DeLillo, White Noise, NYC: Penguin, 1992.
Arnold Pacey, Meaning in Technology, Cambridge, MIT Press, 2001.
Edward Tenner, Why Things Bite Back.
Assignments
Late work is unacceptable & will be penalized. Missing assignments count as a zero.
Assignments | Calendar | Texts | Grades
Calendar
By month
September | October | November | Final
Readings by short titles of chapters & selections from Authors
Week # & Date Focus & assignments Readings by chapters or pages assigned
Week # & Date Focus & assignments Readings by chapters or pages assigned
AugustClarify
26
introduction, who are we?, pretest & interviews. 28
28 pretest, Thamus’ Story, Postman pp. xi-20 – What is his purpose?
September
September
2 interviewing –Pursell pp. 1-35. How do we use tools & for what purposes?
4
Water. Pacey pp. vii-19. Eberhart, pp.1-32. Bring Interview questions to class.
9
Tools to technology? Postman, pp. 21-39. Findings of interviews due.
11
3-aspects of technology, Pacey, pp. 20-57. Asian sources of technology.
16
Interviews due – questions, verbatim responses and summary. Film festival.
18 Writing about tools and stories: Pursell, pp. 37-63, Who was Prometheus?
23
Essay: defining Technology, Postman pp. 40-65, & Pursell pp. 65-90.
25
Writing Center, bring a three page draft of your essay to class.
30 How craft and science are related. Pacey, pp. 73-107, Eberhart, pp. 33-54.
October
2
Industrial Revolution means & ends. Pacey, pp. 108-149. What is technology?
7 Railways as proto-types, Pacey, pp.159-169. How do tools manifest power?
9
Tools & dreams, Pacey, 168-186. Essay due, defining technology’s power
14 Two Cultures - class debate, Snow prepare as selection.
16
day off in lieu of films & keeping your appointment in my office.
21
Two Cultures – class debate, Snow, parts one and two.
23
C.P. Snow Two Cultures - class debate, (entire Essay)
28
What do you need as a defense? Postman, pp. 56-70, 71-91.
30
Automation’s threats to normal lives. Pursell, pp. 92-143.
4
What is around the corner? Kaku, pp. ix-69. Pursell, 145-191.
6
Kaku, pp. 70-117. Pursell. Pp. 193-210. Eberhart, pp. 55-104.
11
Pacey, Pursell, Postman: 2d essay due -explaining technology’s changes.
13
Kaku, pp. 118-161. Postman, pp. 92-106. Eberhart, pp. 105-148.
18
Kaku, pp. 162-240. Postman, pp. 107-143. Eberhart, pp. 149-193.
20
Kaku, pp. 241-294. Postman, pp. 144-164. Eberhart, pp. 195-227.
27
Thanksgiving break: no class
December
2 Kranzburg and Kaku, Contrasts. Postman, pp. 165-179. Eberhart, pp. 229-248.
4 How can tools be humane? Postman, pp. pp. 179-199. Last, 3d essay due.Final Exam December 12, 5 PM -7 PM, A rehearsed 5-minute, verbal presentation, based on a summary of the last essay. To what extent do technologies profoundly affect our lives? Focus--tell the class: What did you learn?
Please see me in my office any of the following days and times: Mondays, 1-3:30 PM, Wednesdays, 12-2:00 PM, and Thursdays 3:30-4:30 PM.
The focus of this class is how technology, particularly the tools we use, help to identify who we are, what we believe, how well we live and to what degree the entire world is created, maintained by and infused by mechanical, technical, automated and manual systems of tools.
Assignments | Calendar | Texts | Grades
