2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Social and Human Sciences Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
Graduate Lecture in Science, Technology and Society S1B
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Social and Human Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Toma Kawanishi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Wed
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- SHS.S442
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course aims to deepen students' understanding of modern and contemporary technology through the critical reading of literature in the field of history of technology. This year, we will examine Models of Innovation: The History of an Idea (Routledge, 2015) by Benoît Godin, a highly regarded work in recent historical studies of technology.
In contemporary society, innovation is often regarded as an unquestioned good and is frequently portrayed as a panacea for various economic and social problems. However, for over 2,500 years, the concept carried negative connotations and was not associated with economic phenomena until modern times. Through an exploration of the elusive history of “innovation,” this course seeks to cultivate students' ability to think historically and diachronically about words and concepts.
Course description and aims
1. To acquire a comprehensive understanding of information technology from a historical perspective.
2. To develop the ability to think and investigate in a historical manner.
Keywords
History of technology, Begriffsgeschichte, Innovation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Students are required to give a brief summary of the portion of the book they have read during each class. Each student is expected to make at least one presentation.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction, Chapter 1 | Reading Introduction, Chapter 1 |
| Class 2 | Chapters 2 and 3 | Reading Chapters 2 and 3 |
| Class 3 | Chapters 4 and 5 | Reading Chapters 4 and 5 |
| Class 4 | Chapters 6 and 7 | Chapters 6 and 7 |
| Class 5 | Chapters 8 and 9 | Chapters 8 and 9 |
| Class 6 | Chapters 10 and 11 | Chapters 10 and 11 |
| Class 7 | Chapter 12 and Conclusion | Chapter 12 and Conclusion |
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)
Benoît Godin, Innovation Contested: The Idea of Innovation Over the Centuries (Routledge, 2015)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Benoît Godin, Models of innovation: The history of an idea (MIT press, 2017)
Evaluation methods and criteria
Class presentation (50%), Final report (50%)
Related courses
- SHS.S441 ： Graduate Lecture in Science, Technology and Society S1A
- SHS.S443 ： Graduate Lecture in Science, Technology and Society F1A
- SHS.S444 ： Graduate Lecture in Science, Technology and Society F1B
Prerequisites
Not required
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment