2023 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
History of Technology A
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Toma Kawanishi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (WL1-201(W521))
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.T103
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This lecture traces the formation and evolution of the engineering profession as distinct from traditional craftsmen. The emergence of the engineering profession played a pivotal role in the rise of the West starting from the 15th century. The lecture focuses on the historical development of the profession in key regions such as Italy during the Renaissance, France during the Absolute Monarchy and Revolution, Brittain during the Industrial Revolution, Germany and the United States during the Second Industrial Revolution, and Japan after the Meiji Restoration. The aim of the course is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the engineering profession through an examination of its historical development, and to offer valuable insights into its various facets for the benefit of participants' own careers.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. to understand the engineering profession historically and reflectively
2. to reflect on the past and future of the profession based on such understanding.
Keywords
Engineer, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Engineering Education
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The lecture will follow a traditional format, with opportunities for discussion as deemed appropriate.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Overview of the History of the Term "Engineer" | not specified. |
| Class 2 | Emergence of the Engineering Profession during the Italian Renaissance | Reading course materials |
| Class 3 | Evolution of the Engineering Profession in France: From "Ingénieur de roi" to "Ingénieur civil" | Reading course materials |
| Class 4 | Engineers and the British Industrial Revolution: Serving Capital | Reading course materials |
| Class 5 | The Second Industrial Revolution in Germany: Scientists and Engineers in the Service of the Nation-State | Reading course materials |
| Class 6 | The United States and the Second Industrial Revolution: Engineers as Corporate Researchers and Managers | Reading course materials |
| Class 7 | The Development of the Japanese-style Engineer: From Samurai to Salary-man | Reading course materials |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required. All materials used in class can be found on T2SCHOLA.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
not specified
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation is based on the submission of forms before each session (20%) and a final report (80%). If you use a generative AI, like ChatGPT, in your report, please make sure to indicate this and support its accuracy with proper references.
Related courses
- LAH.T203 ： History of Technology B
- LAH.T303 ： History of Technology C
- LAH.S416 ： Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences16:History of Technology
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.