Objectives: The central objective of this course is to introduce students to the history of the computer industry. This is an optional course, open to all interested students. At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1) Describe the data processing and scientific computation origins of electronic computers. 2) Outline the development of the computer industry's business and social structure. 3) Describe the social and political consequences of the development of computers. 4) Demonstrate the ability to integrate and synthesize historical information.
Content: This course examines the relationship between computers and society in the United States and Europe, with a primary focus on the 20th century. The structure of the course is chronological, but within that structure we will examines a number of major overarching themes relating to both computer software and hardware. These themes include the relationship between computing and the rise of large business and governmental agencies, the role of the military in computer development, the influence of political ideology on computer architecture and human-machine interface design, and the nature of computer programmer, hacker and nerd culture.
Structure: Lecture, discussion and student presentations 3 hours per week over 14 weeks
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on their participation in discussions and their presentations. In addition, all students will prepare two 5 page papers on an assigned question. One paper will be due after the seventh week of the course, the other at the end of the course.
Instructor: Mark Clark.
Readings: Paul E. Ceruzzi, A History of Modern Computing, MIT Press, 2000 (paperback edition)and collected articles.
Time and place: Wednesday 28th of January 2004 in building 521 room 110 at 1 p.m.
Kursustilmelding (enrolment): På dagen (on the day).