F4393 Technology and Society

Prerequisites

Admission requirements

Course Objectives

This course aims at giving an introduction to the historical development of technology, its impact on today’s society and its likely influence in the future world. The social role of the engineer will also be discussed. Ethical and political perspectives will be presented in addition to material from history, philosophy and the social sciences.

Learning Methods

2 one day seminars with external speaker and discussions in groups, tuition and discussions using Classfronter.

Course Description

The stages in the history of mankind. Historical development in a technological perspective. How does historical change come about? The relationship between technology an science.  Views of nature, of human work and theoretical knowledge in a historical perspective. The connection between technology and economy. Attitudes towards engineers and engineering. Can technological development be governed? Ecological problems and challenges as caused by technology. What does technology do to man? What kind of world do we wish for? And do we have a choice?

Assessment Methods

An individual essay. The candidate can make use of any literature.