Course syllabus for History of technology

Course syllabus adopted 2026-02-09 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTeknikhistoria
  • CodeCTE033
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMTS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • ThemeMTS 7.5 c
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 99135
  • Maximum participants150
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0126 Intermediate test 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c
0226 Written and oral assignments 6 c
Grading: TH		 6 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level studies

Aim

The course aims to provide a deeper understanding of the interplay between technological change and societal change. The course provides knowledge of typical patterns in technological change.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Describe and analyze the interplay between technological change on the one hand and cultural, economic, political and social change on the other;
- Identify factors that cause technological change;
- Describe and analyze the mechanisms of technological change;
- Explain and interpret historical processes;
- Describe and analyze theoretical concepts and explanatory models in the historical sciences;
- Problematize the societal consequences of technological change, then and now;
- Observe the ethical problems that development and use of technology may be associated with.


Content

History of technology is the historical study of technology and technological change. Themes and issues covered in the course are:

- Factors that shape technological change
- The mechanisms of technological change
- Dissemination of technology
- Technological determinism
- The unanticipated consequences of technology
- Science and technology as different knowledge traditions
- The development of the engineering profession
- The development of large technological systems
- Gender and technology

Organisation

Lectures, seminars and study visits.

Literature

See course home page

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination of the course consists of tests (dugga), written assignments, oral examination and project examination.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers about disability study support.