From Plow to Pixel: The History of Technology

In this course student will explore the history of technology, from medieval agriculture to modern digital systems, through classic and recent scholarship. We will examine fundamental questions that have shaped the field, such as: What is "technology"? How do we navigate the debates between technological determinism and the social construction of technology? And what politics are embedded within technological artifacts? Through diverse case studies like automobiles, plastics, and bicycles, we will unpack the ideologies of innovation, explore technology's environmental and gendered impacts, and analyze its intricate relationship with social status. By the end of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interplay between technology and the human experience. Counts for HSMT credit.