New Course Proposal - TECH 114 History and Theory of Technology and Culture

Robert D. Cameron, Associate Dean of Applied Sciences

January 8, 2003

Document Status

This is a first draft of a new course proposal to consolidate the three 1-credit courses TECH 111, 112 and 113 into a single 3-credit course. Various elements of this proposal represent initial suggestions based on documentation of the existing courses. Revisions by the the undergraduate curriculum committee of the Program in Information Technology and Interactive Arts are expected.

Calendar Information

This course examines the historical development of technologies of writing, visualization and computing and their impacts on cultural development. Milestones in writing from phonetic and pictographic systems through the printing press and modern hypertext are examined. Optical technologies and how they have shaped the process of seeing itself will be explored, including the camera obscura, linear perspective, panoramas and stereoscopes. Changes in the methods of computation and how those changes affeect cultures and subcultures will be explored, including the role of time, mathematics, memes, and networks in shaping cultural evolution.

TECH 111-1 Technologies of Writing
TECH 112-1 Technologies of Visualizing
TECH 113-1 Technologies of Computing

Rationale for Introduction of this Course

This course consolidates three 1-credit module-based (5 week) courses into a single 3-credit semester-based course.

Will this be a required or elective course in the curriculum; probable enrolment when offered?

Required; enrolment estimated at 300 per year.

Scheduling and Registration Information

Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.

2004-1 and annually thereafter.

Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?

Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?

Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.

Students with credit for TECH 111, 112 and 113 may not take this course for further credit.

Resource Implications

Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.

Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.

This course will use the resources already in place for the three 1-credit modules it replaces.

Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?

Does this course require computing resources (e.g. hardware, software, network wiring, use of computer laboratory space) and if so, describe how they will be provided.