IET 101 Social Dimensions of Technology
(3-0-3) The global community is being changed by technology at a rapid pace. As a result, thoughtful and meaningful considerations are necessary so that the use of technology reflects the shared needs and values of society. An understanding of how technology relates to society and how society relates to technology is vital if we want improvements in how we utilize our resources for society's future prosperity. The course will provide historical and current examples and information, as well as future dimensions of technology's impact on society. This course requires no specialized knowledge, but critical thinking skills will be emphasized, since students will be challenged to think about the implications of technology's impact on society today and also expectations for the future. The mode of delivery will be a mix of lectures by the instructor, discussion, case studies and group projects. There will also be guest speakers. Topics to be covered will include; history of technology, ethics and technology, energy and technology, health and technology, and future impacts of technology. This interdisciplinary course satisfies the SBS I requirement for general education.