2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
Essence of Humanities and Social Sciences16:History of Technology
- 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 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S416
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this course, we will explore recent understandings of the history of technology, changing the theme each year. This year's focus will be on 'War and Technology.'
Whether welcomed or not, war has always been intertwined with human history, with technology standing as the variable that has most significantly altered the course of warfare. There is no doubt that military organizations have been one of the driving forces behind the rapid technological changes since the 20th century. When considering war, we must first gain a grounded understanding of its history and patterns in a sober manner. This course aims to lay the groundwork for such discussions regarding the relationship between military affairs and technology.
Course description and aims
1. To broaden the students' perspective on technology through the study of the recent historiography of technology.
2. To become able to think about technology in connection with world history.
Keywords
History of Technology, Military Technology, War
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each session will run for approximately 60-80 minutes of lecture, followed by a request for individual comments from each participant. Additionally, there may be designated time for group work.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction: Military Revolution | Non Required |
| Class 2 | The Military Impact of the Industrial Revolution: Steam Engines, Ironclad Ships, Telegraph. | Give instructions during the lecture. |
| Class 3 | The Two World Wars and the Mobilization of Science and Technology | Give instructions during the lecture. |
| Class 4 | Total War (1): Aerospace Development and Warfare | Give instructions during the lecture. |
| Class 5 | Total War (2): Nuclear Power | Give instructions during the lecture. |
| Class 6 | Total War (3): Computers and the Internet as Defense Technologies | Give instructions during the lecture. |
| Class 7 | Considering Dual-Use Problem | Give instructions during the lecture. |
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 Specified.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Alex Roland. War and Technology: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2016)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation is based on the submission of forms before each session (50%) and a final report (50%). 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.T103 ： History of Technology A
- LAH.T203 ： History of Technology B
- LAH.T303 ： History of Technology C
Prerequisites
No prerequisites.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
kawanishi.t.ac[at]m.titech.ac.jp
Other
No classes will be given on April 10(Wed).
Seven total classes will be held for this course: April 17 (Wed), April 24 (Wed), May 1 (Wed), May 8 (Wed), May 15 (Wed), May 22(Wed), May 29(Wed).