The relationship between technology and society is examined through sociological studies of technological determinism and social construction, and through a critical reading of engineering texts, where practitioners reveal the ethical and political commitments that underlie their practices. A historical study of the Industrial Revolution is then explored and its effects on the relationship between technology, labour, industry, society and the natural world. Students reflect on notions of rights, justice, freedom and sustainability in human and non-human arenas, and in relation to existing corporate practices of 'social responsibility'. Contemporary global and local engineering practice is... -- Course Website
Instructor: Winthrop Professor Caroline Baillie
