Technologies have formed the basis of material culture and influenced the course of social change throughout human history. Yet the shape of technologies’ influence on society has varied significantly with time and place in a way that often goes unnoticed by engineering students. The present course combines the history of technology with world history. While the word “innovation” is modern, creative technical activity, along with changing social practices, is as old as humankind. Through a series of historical case studies – prehistoric fire, medieval cathedrals, artisanal French bread, railways, and smart phones – we will see how engineering (broadly defined) evolved over major eras of the past. In the process, we address three basic questions concerning technology and society. First, what exactly is technological change – how does it actually occur and how does it differ from the way we talk about the topic? How has its form changed over time? Second, what are the social roots, or origins, of technological change, or “innovation” – what role do different social groups and institutions, as well as various ideas, play in encouraging or inhibiting such change? And, third, what are the social consequences (and costs) of technological change and who benefits from its gains? Put differently, how should we discuss “progress”? We cannot answer any of these questions in the abstract. Instead, we must address them in specific historical settings, and we do well to go back as far back in time as humanly possible – hence, our case studies.

Survey of the complex social web of identity, culture, politics, economics, history, and power behind food systems in the U.S. and globally.

Why do social movements emerge? Why might they succeed? This course examines how ordinary people challenge powerful segments of society and contribute to social change.This course explores the lives of Black Women and considers their contributions to various social movements across the diaspora. Beginning in the late 18^th century and ending in the 20^th century, we will examine women’s lived experiences from the western shores of Africa to the Americas. 

Examines American sport from colonial to contemporary times. Focuses on the rise of organized sports and the influence of race, class, gender, and ethnicity.

This course will introduce you to how to think sociologically about race and ethnicity. We will explore the origins of the idea of race and the theoretical and empirical analysis of race, ethnicity, and immigration. We will also examine patterns and mechanisms of racial/ethnic inequalities in a variety of social domains including education, income, wealth, and health.

This survey course covers key works in Science, Technology & Society, and guest lectures introduce students to faculty doing STS-related research across the Ivan Allen College. Credit not allowed for both PUBP 6743 and HTS 6743 or LCC 6743.