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Undergraduate Danz Courses in the Humanities: When Technologies are New

Winter 2004 Danz course instructed by David Domke (Communication).

The Danz Courses in the Humanities provide unique opportunities for University of Washington first-year students to engage in challenging, cross-disciplinary work. These courses introduce students to the study of the humanities (including literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies, and film) and build the intellectual foundation for a liberal arts education through the study of human thought, values, beliefs, creativity, and culture. Teams of talented faculty from diverse disciplines bring their perspectives to the Danz Courses in the Humanities, encouraging students to become active and creative learners within the university community. Offered for VLPA, I&S, and Writing credit, a Danz Course is offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters.

The Danz Courses in the Humanities are made possible by the generous financial support of Fredric Danz, a College of Arts and Sciences alumnus (‘40) and longtime benefactor of the humanities at the University of Washington with additional thanks to the Graduate School for their support of the graduate student teacher assistants.

Danz Course Archives

 


Winter 2007 • HUM 202 (VLPA/I&S, 5 credits) • SLN 13898

When Technologies are New Course website

Check Time Schedule for course and section meeting times

Instructors: Philip Howard (Communication) and Simon Werrett (History)

New technologies have a big impact on cultures and communities, but these cultures and communities always adapt technologies in surprising ways. To explore the connections between scientific discovery and social change, this course will draw examples from both the rich history of engineering and the immediate modernity of digital technologies. What role do artists, science fiction writers, and philosophers have in shaping our collective assumptions of and aspirations for science? How is science itself culturally organized? From the development of gunpowder and armaments in China and Russia, to the opportunities for digital surveillance and resistance in Argentina and Tanzania, we will explore the social rhythms to the development of new technologies, analog and digital. This course has several objectives: to teach students about the dynamics of scientific exploration and social change; to give students cultural literacy and practical familiarity with new technologies, both analog and digital; and to inspire students to develop their own sophisticated critiques about the role of technology and innovation in society.


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