Philosophy of technology provides different perspectives on how technology interacts with the individual, society, institutions, economy, and culture. It explores concepts relevant to structure and practice, focusing on technology as a means and a means to an end. Thus, this course will focus on the writings of Jacques Ellul, Martin Heidegger, Don Idhe, Ivan Illich, Arnold Pacey, Joseph C. Pitt, and Edward Tenner among others. It will explore the cultural, institutional, and technical aspects of technology as mechanisms to understand and evaluate the transformations that technologies undergo as they are moved through and interact with different dimensions of society. Using historical analysis of watersheds in medicine and transportation, the major foci are: The inherent nature of technology Technological progression and efficiency Technological tools as part of systems Dynamics of technology within communities Expertise as embedded within development and adoption of technology Objectives Students will: (1) Apply a critical approach to the development and use of technologies in various dimensions of societal institutions (e.g. classroom teaching and learning). (2) Approach technologies from a process, activity (design and development) and product lens. (3) Use a philosophy of technology framework to evaluate current research in their respective fields of interest (e.g. science, mathematics, literacy education). (4) Explore, evaluate and discuss research implications of a philosophy of technology framework.