45639 - Anthropology of Sciences and Techniques (1) (Second Level Course)

Academic Year 2007/2008

  • Docente: Giuliano Pancaldi
  • Credits: 5
  • SSD: M-DEA/01
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LS) in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology (cod. 0433)

Learning outcomes

This course of lectures aims at an understanding of the interactions between science, technology, and culture in contemporary societies.

Course contents

Course title: "The roots of invention: the electric universe"

We shall consider electricity as a case study, trying to understand how developments in physics, the rise of a new "age of electricity", and transformations in communications and culture have intertwined over the past two hundred years.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory reading for all participants is: David Bodanis, Electric Universe. The Shocking True Story of Electricity (Abacus, 2006).

Teaching methods

The active participations of students, both in class and through the online forum, is encouraged.

Assessment methods

Students can choose whether to be interviewed on the Electric universe, or to submit a paper on a topic of their choice (connected with the theme of the lectures), to be discussed in class and/or during the final, oral exam.

Teaching tools

The information presented and debated in class will be made available online at http://www.studiareonline.org/storiadellascienza/, where a "forum" will also be available.

Links to further information

http://www.studiareonline.org/storiadellascienza/

Office hours

See the website of Giuliano Pancaldi