History of Technology and Science

This course provides students with an in-depth examination of the history of technology and science. It entails the study of societal and cultural development, as to how societies have been shaped by various forms of technological and scientific advances. Thus the course will explore scientific and technological developments within a range of cultural, social and economic contexts. The course consists of a number of topics, spanning time periods from ancient history until the present, and various geographical areas and entities. While the course will emphasis Norwegian, European and North-American developments within science and technology, it may also include Non-Western themes. The topics taught will vary from one academic year to another, depending on the department's available lecturing staff and their scholarly interests. Information on topics for the academic year is found under studies on the webpage for the department with academic responsibility.

At the completion of this course, students should have the following knowledge:

• an in-depth knowledge of how science and technology, broadly conceived, have been part of historical development processes
• a solid understanding of the place of science and technology in society
• clear insights into how the historiography of science and technology has developed

As well as the following skills:

• the ability to reflect upon, discuss and present central problems in the history of technology and science
• the capability of analyzing historical data and literature on the history of technology and science, and to draw conclusions based on these

Lectures, seminars and individual assignments. Some of the topics may include an excursion outside of campus. The obligatory activity from a previous semester can be approved by the department.