History of Science and Technology

Human beings used various tools for haunting and agriculture in prehistoric times. Histories of human beings were with developments of technology. Technology increased forces of production and became convenient living and expanded their range of activities. On the other hand, science was developed independently from technology.
It is not necessary to study cutting-edge science and technology because we can use efforts that forerunners created.
The origins of technology were the birth of human beings. On the other hand, the origins of sciences were only about 2,500 years ago.
History of science and technology will provide students of ”the college of systems engineering and science” with one of the methods to resolve engineering problems. Learning the origin and history of your major is necessary to establish the identity of an engineer.
The purpose of the class is to cultivate a broad viewpoint in concerns of systematic relationships among science, technology, human beings, society, and environments.

This course focuses on the establishment of the modern science that Isaac Newton accomplished. I also lecture on the origins of modern science especially the perspective and attitude of natural philosophers in historical contexts.
The course analyses how technology develops. This also takes up technology in China and the interaction between the east and the west, the industrial revolution in Britain in the 18-19th century, the British Iron and steel industry, relationships between imperialism and technology, the American system of manufactures, and the history of computers and system.
Technology is a system that material entities constitute. Technology also affects a person, social group, and society and conversely. It looks complicated at glance. The internal and external factors of technology are recognized and studied as the mechanism of technological developments.

1. To Understand the establishment of modern science from Greek natural philosophers to Isaac Newton. (Doctrinal History of Science)
2. To analyze the mechanisms of technological development using examples such as the British Industrial Revolution. In particular, to explain the impact of innovations in one process on other processes in a systematic way. (History of technology)
3. To Understand the relationship between science and technology in the 19-20th century. Especially, the relationship among science, technology, and wars. And also, the course offers a history of computers and systems.

Your final grade will be the result of the midterm examination (50 points) and final examination only (50 points). 60 points are the minimum level of understanding of the class.

Students must attend the class 10 times and more if they get the credits. Students submit a comment to the teacher for taking attendance. Some comments will be introduced to the next class. Please note that other methods of taking attendance are being considered.

I will inform you in advance if there are any changes to the contents of the syllabus.

Japanese

Textbook
Tomohiro HYODO, Manabu KOBAYASHI, Shingo NAKAMURA, and Fuminori YAMAZAKI, A History of Science and Technology(Muisuri publication, 2019)

Reference Materials
Shiro MOMOKI and HIdeto NAKAJIMA eds., World history That Things Connect (Minerva Publication, 2021)
H. Butterfield, The Origins of Modern Science, 1300-1800. (New edition.) (G. Bell ＆ Sons, 1957)
Thomas S. Kuhn, The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought (Harvard U. P., 1957)
Westfall, The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and Mechanics (Wiley, 1971)
Needham, The Grand Titration: Science and Society in East and West (George Allen ＆ Unwin, 1969)
Masakatsu YAMAZAKI, Manabu KOBAYASHI, (2010) ISBN: 978-4889563764
Masaji ARAI, Hoshimi UCHIDA, Kin’ichiro TOBA, The Technology of the Industrial Revolution (Yuhikaku, 1981)
Paul Mantoux, La Révolution industrielle au XVIIIe siècle. Essai sur les commencements de la grande industrie moderne en Angleterre (Paris, 1906)
E. J. Hobsbawm, Industry and empire: an economic history of Britain since 1750 (Weidenfeld ＆ Nicolson, 1968)
Kenneth Pomeranz, The Great Divergence(Princeton U. P., 2000)
R.C. Allen, The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective (Cambridge U.P., 2007)
R.C. Allen, Global Economic History: Very Short Introductions No. 282(Oxford U.P., 2011)
Joel Mokyr, The Gifts of Athena (Princeton U.P., 2002)
Morito NAKAZAWA, The Age of Steel, Iwanami Shoten, 1964
Daniel R. Headrick, The Tools of Empire (Oxford U. P., 1981)
David A. Hounshell, From the American system to mass production 1800-1932 (Johns Hopkins University Press, c1984.)
Mai Sugimoto, The Night before ”Artificial Intelligence”: Are Computers and Brains Similar? (Seidosya, 2018)
Martin Campbell-Kelly et al. A History of the Information Machine, 3rd ed.(Westview Press, 2014)

Furthermore materials will be introduced to students in the class.

• At the beginning and end of the lecture. I also accept emails etc. at any time.

Non-regionally-oriented course

• Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge

N/A

• 1.NO POVERTY
• 2.ZERO HUNGER
• 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
• 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
• 7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
• 8.DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
• 9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• 10.REDUCED INEQUALITIES
• 11.SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
• 12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION
• 13.CLIMATE ACTION
• 16.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS