Technological Advances and Society

Technological changes have driven societal change since ancient times and continue to accelerate our contemporary world.

3-4 credit hours | These courses maintain a sustained focus on the human and environmental impact of technologies.

Students may elect to take two Exploring Science classes and use the second to satisfy the Technological Advances and Society requirement. Students must take both lecture and lab courses (if they are offered separately) to use an Exploring Science course to fulfill the Technological Advances and Society requirement.
elfi Kraka teaching

The Value of Technological Advances and Society

Technological literacy is essential to navigating the challenges humanity faces and valuing opportunities to find solutions. Understanding the evolution and dynamics of technology contextualizes the effects and implications of innovation.

Student Learning Outcome

Students will describe a technology and its impact on a given society and evaluate the impact of that technology on society, within a domain.


Requirement Details

Courses are found in the departments of Anthropology, and Art History, among others. Taking a second Exploring Science course can also satisfy this requirement.

  • ADV 1331 – Digital Media Landscapes
  • ANTH 2360 – How to Build a Time Machine
  • ARHS 3367 – History of Photography I
  • DS 1300 – A Practical Introduction to Data Science
  • ITOM 2308 – Information Systems for Management

Course Search

  1. Students will describe a particular technology or set of technologies that have/has significant societal impact.
  2. Students will describe the impact of a particular technology or set of technologies on a given society or societal context.
  3. Students will evaluate the impact of a particular technology or set of technologies on a given society or societal context.

  1. Courses in this category have, as a primary focus, the relationship between technology and society.
  2. Courses in this category explain the nature, structure, and/or use of a particular technology or technologies.
  3. Courses in this category explore the impact of technology on a particular domain.
  4. Courses in this category explore the impact of technological change on society.
  5. Courses in this category include an assessment assignment that requires students to demonstrate each of the skills in the Technological Advances and Society Assessment
    Rubric (below). This assessment assignment should be one of the following: an objective exam, an essay question on an exam, an essay, or a research paper.