Technical Development and Society

Aim

The aim of the course is to give a general introduction to and frame of reference for the study of technology and technological development from a societal, historical and cultural perspective. The students will also reflect on the relationship between developers of technology and its users from these three perspectives.

After the course, the students will:

• be familiar with socio-technological perspectives, for example technological development based on social, historical and cultural perspectives.
• be able to describe and analyze technology, technological values and technological development linked to a chosen study programme and future professional roles, especially with regard to the relationship between technology developers and technology users.
• be able to translate these skills into a description, analysis and reflection of a particular topic that the student finds interesting

Content

The topics below will form the basis of the course:

• Technology and society
• Techniques and values
• Technology and users

Themes are dealt with through literature, lectures, pm writing and discussion seminars where each person has the opportunity to give his or her perspective on the specific theme. Themes also form a starting point for the final written assignment. The written report is written individually about a subject that has been dealt with in the course.