Summer 2026 - HIST 111 D100
Histories of Technology (3)
Class Number: 1593
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
-
Course Times + Location:
May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
-
Instructor:
Roxanne Panchasi
panchasi@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the social and cultural contexts and historical effects of major developments in technology. Breadth-Hum/Social Sci/Science.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course examines the history of technology from the industrial age to the present. Exploring a series of key technological objects and themes, we will consider the social, political, and cultural effects and meanings of technological change, and the representation of technology across a variety of texts and media including art, literature, film, and music. Course materials, lectures, and tutorial discussions will emphasize human experiences of and responses to new and evolving technologies over time in different contexts around the globe.
Skills we’ll be working on in this course
· key events, actors & themes: becoming with the history of several major technological shifts with global impact since 1800
· critical reading: understanding and responding to primary source material and scholarly arguments and interpretation
· visual/media/digital literacy: exploring and learning to use a range of scholarly sources and tools across different media
· writing: developing skills across genres of writing using strategies including free writing, co-writing, peer response, and revision
· oral communication +: engaging in group discussion and presentations online via Canvas and in person
Grading
- Course preparation & participation 15%
- Quizzes 20%
- Write NOWs (completed in class) 40%
- Afterthoughts 15%
- End-of-term Portfolio Review 10%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
All required course materials will be available electronically via the SFU Library and/or Canvas.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Learn more about studing History at SFU:
History areas of study
Why study History?
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.