Overview

This unit explores the relationship between scientific, technological and human development from the industrial revolution to the digital age and beyond from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Students will be introduced to conceptual frameworks that explain the ways in which technological disruption transforms societies, simultaneously creating opportunities for incredible human advancement whilst unleashing potentially catastrophic consequences

Requisites

Prerequisites
ART10002 Technology and Society
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
21-October-2024
31-January-2025
Last self-enrolment date
03-November-2024
Census date
15-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-December-2024
Results released date
11-February-2025
Pathways Teaching 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
24-February-2025
30-May-2025
Last self-enrolment date
09-March-2025
Census date
21-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
02-May-2025
Results released date
10-June-2025
Pathways Teaching 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
23-June-2025
26-September-2025
Last self-enrolment date
06-July-2025
Census date
18-July-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
15-August-2025
Results released date
07-October-2025
Pathways Teaching 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
20-October-2025
30-January-2026
Last self-enrolment date
02-November-2025
Census date
14-November-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
12-December-2025
Results released date
10-February-2026

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Understand and explain competing perspectives concerning the relationship between scientific, technological and human development
  • Critically reflect on the relationship between technology, identity, and self
  • Perform logical analysis and develop well-informed arguments
  • Critically reflect on and evaluate their own learning experience
  • Communicate ideas and critically evaluate arguments advanced by others

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact
Lecture		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Face to Face Contact
Tutorial		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Face to Face Contact
Workshop		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Unspecified Learning Activities
Independent Learning		 6.50  12 weeks  78
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
BlogIndividual 25 - 35% 1,2,3,4,5 
EssayIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4,5 
ReflectionIndividual 15 - 25% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Understanding technological change and social development 
  • Technology, Identity and the Self 
  • Revolutions: From Agricultural to Industrial to Digital 
  • Technology, Risk and Opportunity The ethics of scientific and technological innovation 
  • Technological progress and contemporary challenges 
  • Robotics, automation and their implications 
  • Artificial Intelligence and human futures 

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.