History of American Technology (325-0-20)
Instructors
Kenneth L Alder
847/467-4038
Harris Hall 307
Meeting Info
Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
We are currently living through a technological revolution that is radically reshaping every aspect of our personal and collective lives. In a sense, however, this is nothing new: Americans have long defined themselves and their nation through changes in the material things they own, make, design, use, and trash. This class examines the debate over what America is and should be by studying its technology. Each lecture is organized around the history of a representative artifact, offering a new perspective on canonical episodes and themes in American history—and theories of technological change—right up to the present day. From the telegraph to social media, from the bicycle to SpaceX, from typing pools to algorithmic AI, Americans have identified technology as central to their personal and national destiny. The course's "flipped classroom" approach is echoed by its core assignment, in which students write an original research paper on the social history of an artifact of their choice. They will do so guided by weekly workshop-sections which walk them through the research and writing process. The course poses the question "Do artifacts have politics?" and if so, of what sort?
Learning Objectives
• This course surveys 200 years of technological change in America in a "flipped" classroom format. In lectures, students learn how to read technology as reflecting and shaping American life. Then, in weekly workshops, students learn how to research and write a social history of an artifact of your choice. Thus:
• Students analyze primary-source accounts of technological innovations and secondary-source interpretations of technological change, including theoretical approaches such as network analysis, systems theory, social construction, evolutionary theory, and affordance design, etc. Students then extend this historical understanding to the way that technological change is shaping our contemporary world, including the study of current developments like social media and AI.
• Students gain an appreciation for the wide range of participants who have contributed to the technological development: from indigenous peoples to hackers, and from female "pink collar" workers to engineers to gamers. Doing so will help students see how technology shapes the uneven distribution of resources and authority.
• Finally, students will learn how to research and write the social history of an artifact of their choice by following a well-honed template, conveyed by the instructor's Research and Writing Guide. See assignments.
Evaluation Method
• Guided by weekly workshop-sections students will: brainstorm your project with classmates and instructors; frame a formal proposal (1 page); read exemplary papers of prior students; assess studies by other historians (3 pages/15%); analyze primary sources (3 pages/15%); organize your argument in outline form (3 pages/15%); present your work to your fellow students (5 minutes); and write a 12±3 page original research paper (40%).
Class Notes
Concentration: Americas
Class Attributes
Historical Studies Distro Area
No Freshmen
Associated Classes
DIS - Locy Hall 110: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
DIS - University Hall 318: Fri 2:00PM - 2:50PM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Fri 3:00PM - 3:50PM