Fall 2000
T-Th, 9:55-11:10

Aims and Methods

     The purpose of this seminar is to acquire an understanding of the nature, development, role, and significance of technology as a dynamic element in human society.  In other words, we will be studying the social history of technology, a vast subject area, both in time, and in conceptual approaches.  To give us a path through this area, we will use a few "texts" to provide focus, continuity, and a point of departure for looking at the subject in different ways.

     For example, at a very basic level, one can approach the history of technology either as a study in the humanities, illuminating human nature, or as one in the social sciences, yielding causal relations and predictive power.  In fact, we will want to try the social sciences viewpoint in considering technology assessment, but, at the same time, our focus on the "unexpected" consequences of technology will involve us in a study of human nature.

     In recent years historians of technology have stressed ideology, complexity, and system as important factors in the development of technology and in the characterization of its nature.  They have also broadened their concerns to provide context from the point of view of the environment, of "consumers," and of women. These and similar factors are significant for understanding and reconstructing the technological past.  They are also important for analysing and evaluating what are taken to be the salient features of the interrelationships of technology and society.

Term Project

     Ordinarily term papers on topics of student choice provide each student with the chance to study specific areas of individual interest, and provide the seminar with the chance to broaden our understanding and apply acquired knowledge critically in specific cases.  This fall as in the past, however, we follow a slightly different procedure, which preserves choice, but directs method and narrative.  We view James Burke's videotape series Connections.  Each of the ten one-hour episodes about technology and culture is to be viewed (group watching, when possible, is strongly recommended); we discuss them briefly in class, approximately one episode each week. 
     As a term project, each student [or group of students] is to prepare an additional episode. To the extent felt possible, the narrative should indicate visual and audio context [scenes, pictures, models, music].  A shooting script is acceptable, as would be a filmed episode, but most students feel comfortable with the conventional format of a term paper.  Students present their new episodes in class, probably beginning the week before Thanksgiving to ensure everyone has a chance to perform.  Presentations are limited to 15 minutes [the equivalent of about 6 double spaced typed pages], so that a 10 minute question and discussion period may follow each one.
     Students should clear topics and provide a rough outline (~1pp) by Thursday, October 19, the first class after Fall Reading Period.  Final written drafts or scripts/tapes of the episodes are due by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Texts

    Additional articles supplement the texts and are available as a course packet from Mrs. Seeley, Bronfman 189, at cost.  They are, in order:

Class Meetings

     Classes will be seminar format, consisting of discussion of the salient viewpoints, arguments, weakness, metaphysics etc. presented in the assigned reading, plus any other critical, analytical, or contextual remarks thought relevant.  
 
Reading Assignments

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A Very Brief Bibliography

     SHOT (Society for the History of Technology) publishes a journal, Technology and Culture, that contains many excellent articles covering a variety of topics.   One issue each year contains a bibliographical update.

     The list above may prove useful in forming ideas about how to start your Connections episode, and what events you might like to include in it.  As you move to refine and expand the structure and character of your episode, you will find there are many fine and interesting books on more specific topics, such as on industry (electrical, chemical, automotive, computer), on engineering, on categories (power, communications, transport, military, textiles, metallurgy, materials, domestic technologies), etc.

     If you start early enough, you may be able to identify useful articles you would like to have, which, if not held at Williams, could be ordered on inter-library loan.  If you haven't ordered such articles before Fall Reading Period, however, you can't count on their arriving in time for your presentation.

Internet

     In the Resources section of the History of Science website are helpful materials for the history of technology, including some useful links to sources and other reputable links. You can visit the site at
     http://www.williams.edu/acad-depts/HistSci/home.html

     Many other potentially useful internet sites may help you, but beware the time sink factor.