CPT-21304 Introduction to Technology, Agro-ecology and Development M

Course

Credits 4.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

BSc degree in technical or social sciences.

Continuation courses:

A variety of MSc-level courses taught by CPT.

Contents:

Science and technology play fundamental roles in modern society. From hunger to the threat of war, from contaminated food to environmental degradation, every social problem that we face today involves science and technology, either as cause or cure. This course offers an introduction to theories and methodologies that conceptualize the interaction between science, technology and society. More specific attention is given to science and technology that focus on agricultural and ecological processes. Topics include differences between agrarian development in the North and the South, technology development for low external input farming systems, power relations in socio-technical change, biodiversity and participatory approaches in research and technology development.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand the major theories of science-society interaction and its consequences for technological development;
- apply presented concepts and methods to new cases around particular themes and topics in the area of agro-ecology and development;
- critically analyse academic articles dealing with socio-technical change;
- critically analyse the ways that social factors influence technological change, as well as the ways that technological change in turn influences social processes;
- analyse social aspects of a technology in a real-life setting (excursion).

Activities:

The course consists of lectures, literature study, group presentations and classroom discussions.
There is a bicycle excursion on the first Thursday of the course.

Examination:

- written exam with open questions (70%);
- group assignment (20%);
- individual participation (10%).
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

More detailed information and selected articles will be electronically available.