Course detail

History and Philosophy of Technology

FEKT-NFITAcad. year: 2013/2014

The subject History and Philosophy of Technology represents an introduction into the particular stages of development of the material culture, crafts and the technology, in steps from the earliest times across the antiquity until the end of the 19th century. The stress is laid especially on the most decisive chapters of the history of engineering development, such as the helenistic mechanics, the industrial revolution, the beginnings and the use of electrical energy and telecommunications. All the above is complemented with cultural, philosophical and religious context of the respective period.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

ThMgr. Milan Klapetek

Department

Continuing Education and Counselling Centre (CVP)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The information transferred should provide the students with the knowledge about the amazing drama hidden behind an apparently cold and non-personal phenomenon of technology. The purpose is to establish links to the specific engineering subjects and to other branches of the culture.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Bachelor´s degree level is requested.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is based on lectures, integral part of the lectures are dicsussion with students on the given topics.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Requirements for completion of a course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every.

Course curriculum

Not applicable.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The target of the subject is to get the students familiar with the history of technology and the circumstances, in which the most important innovations began, as well as with the philosophy and ethical issues of the technology and engineering activities.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Conrad Matschoss: Velcí inženýři
František Jílek a kol.: Světové vynálezy v datech
František Jílek: Zrození velkých vynálezů
J.D. Bernal: Věda v dějinách
Karel Zeithammer: Vývoj techniky
Lewis Mumford: Technika a civilisace
Samuel Lilley: Stroje a lidé v dějinách

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

ThMgr. Milan Klapetek

Syllabus

Since the earliest industry to megalithic constructions.
The antiquity and the helenistic science and technology
Medieval age technology in the shade of cathedrals
Renaissance engineers new image of the world
Long way to steam engine
Industrial revolution in England
Meeting point between science and technology
Combustion engine, turbine and new potentials
Electrical energy from Thalet to Coulomb
Galvani and the others
Electromotoric principle comes into the world
The history of data transmission until the spark telegraphy
Inventors activities and the related ethical issues of today

VUT

Faculties

University Institutes

Parts

History and Philosophy of Technology

Type of course unit