Technology, Power and the Future of Humanity
Distance Spring 2015
About the course
In what ways can technological innovations contribute in the work with and for sustainability? Which future scenarios are probable and desirable?
The course begins with historical examples of the relationship between society and technology, and representations of technology in popular culture. After the introduction a number different themes are discussed such as the possibilities and limitations of technology, renewable energy, risk assessment, mobility, high and low tech futures, information technology, social media and copyright issues. The course process also focuses on the interdisciplinary dialogue where technological, natural scientific perspectives meet philosophical, political and cultural perspectives. Lectures, seminars, literature and examination aims to create a better understanding of our relationship to the surrounding technological world.
Contact us at jakob.grandin[a]csduppsala.uu.se
Online videos, readings and tasks
Part 1 | 19 January – 23 January: Introduction to Sustainability and Technology
Part 2 | 24 January – 15 February: Technology in Society and Everyday Life: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Part 3 | 16 February – 8 March: Gender, Power & Technology
Part 4 | 9–29 March: Emerging Technologies and Risks
Part 5 | 30 March – 19 April: Living after the Future – Visions, Narratives and Transformation
Part 6 | 20 April – 5 June: Individual Final Paper on Technology, Power and the Future of Humanity
Edgerton, David, "The Shock of the Old", Oxford University Press, USA, 2011.
Hulme, Mike, "Can Science Fix Climate Change?: A Case Against Climate Engineering", John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
Nye, David E., "Technology matters: questions to live with", Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2006.