HST-318: History of Engineering* #93094
Instructor: Dr. David Burel
Office Hours:
MWF 1-1:50p
Email:
[email protected]
Office Room:
SANCA 251B -
Polytech
Course Time:
MWF 2-2:50p
Course Room:
PRLTA310 -
Polytech
Course Description:
The history of engineering from the earliest record to modern times,
examining the social, cultural, and economic effects on society.
Course Overview:
The course will challenge students to consider how engineering and
technological decisions have been integral to the courses of human societies
throughout history, how engineering as a profession has developed and
professionalized, and consider how historical knowledge can directly
promote more carefully considered engineering choices in the present. In
short, this course is both the history of engineers in knowing the
profession’s origins and a history for engineers in providing historical
foundations to unpin future choices about technology.
It will achieve these aims through a mixture of lecture, course reading, and
student research and writing. This course is designated as fulfilling the “L”
or Literacy and Critical Inquiry requirements at ASU. Therefore, substantive
research, analysis, and writing is required to successfully complete this
course. Writing assignments are an integral part of this class and will need
to be taken seriously by all students who enroll. Although undoubtedly focus
on the concerns of engineers, this course is designed to approachable and
relevant to a wide-range of students from all disciplines.
Student Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
-
Describe the History of Engineering from pre-history to the present
-
Analyze the effects of engineering and technical knowledge of
human societies
-
Understand how engineer disasters occur and might be prevented
-
Demonstrate research skills with both primary and secondary
sources
-
Write and speak clearly on topics of student research
Course Assessment and Grading:
Assignment Weighting:
* Enrolling in this class means that you have read, understood, and accepted the policies
described in this document. In the event of a disagreement in interpreting a course policy,
the instructor’s interpretation is paramount and binding. You have the right to withdraw if
you do not accept these policies.
*** This is a dynamic syllabus and subject to change ***
Class Activities
10%
Reading Reactions
10%
In Class Canvas Tests
25%
Civilization Engineering Analysis (Paper I)
25%
Historical Artifact Project (Paper II)
30%
Grading Scale:
A+
97%+
A
<97-94%
A-
<94-90%
B+
< 90-87%
B
<87-84%
B-
<84-80%
C+
<80-77
C
<77-70%
D
<70-60%
E
<60-0%
Class Activities & Attendance:
Regularly attending class is vital to receiving a good grade in this class.
Students are expected to come to class daily, remain attentive, and
participate in discussions and activities. There will be no provision made to
make up a class activity for students who miss one without an excused
absence [see below]. Class activities will be completed in class at any
during class and students must be present to receive points. These activities
