Instructor: Prof. Pamela E. Mack
Office: Hardin 006, e-mail: pammack@clemson.edu
Office Hours: MWF 8-10:45 and by appointment
Class meetings: MWF 11:15-12:05, Hardin 232
this syllabus on the web:
http://pammack.sites.clemson.edu/syl3220.html
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a
sampling of world history of technology with a focus on Europe.
The goal of the course is to think about the interaction between
technology and society with the help of the broader perspective
that history provides. To that end, the course will closely read
four books with different information and different perspectives
on the history of technology.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course students
should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of issues
created by the complex interactions among science,
technology, and society
examine the role of technology in history
evaluate the impact of technology on society
and how society shapes technology
analyze the different approaches taken by
historians
write analytically on topics related to these
objectives
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Analyzing and
drawing conclusions from the reading will be central to the
course, so it is essential that you do the reading and come
prepared to discuss it in class. Attendance will be taken by
seating chart and six absences will be allowed without penalty.
Coming late or leaving early will count as one half an absence.
Excuses do not have to be given for the six allowed absences, but
it is expected that these will cover minor issues. Additional
absences will be excused for official university activities,
emergencies, serious illness, funerals, and job interviews but
documentation should be provided if possible, the student
notification of instructor process is not sufficient.
Students with more than six absences will be penalized 5 points
for each additional absence, to be deducted from their
participation grade. The class is excused if the instructor does
not arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled starting time.
two 4-5 page reflection papers: each one is 20% of the
grade
midterm: 20% of the grade
participation: A total of 20% of the grade from the
categories below
class discussion and other participation 10%
reading responses 10%
takehome final exam: 20%
Numerical grades out of 100 will be converted to
final letter grades by the system 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C,
60-69=D, below 60=F. I do round up half a point. Grades above 95
are rarely given except for exceptionally fine work.
READING RESPONSES: short reflections on the reading
due by 10:00 am each class day; assignments are on Canvas.
You can do the reading reflection even if you are not
going to be in class. I will drop the lowest 9 grades so you have
some flexibility to not do every one of these, but late reading
responses are accepted only for excused absences.
PAPERS: The details of the paper assignments are
found Canvas and in these general
paper instructions. Papers uploaded to Canvas by 11 am
on the day due are on time. Papers handed in later that day
get a 2 point penalty for lateness. Each calendar day after
that is an additional 2 point penalty for lateness.
GENERAL EDUCATION: This course meets the STS general education
requirements, and your second paper is the artifact that
demonstrates that. The competency is:
Science, Technology, and Society - Demonstrate an understanding
of issues created by the complex interactions among science,
technology, and society.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: As members of the Clemson University
community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson’s vision of this
institution as a “high seminary of learning.” Fundamental to this
vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and
responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect
of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty
detracts from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall
not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form.”
This includes representing someone else's work as your own or
handing in the same paper to two different courses without
permission of both instructors. You may re-use your exact words
(according to the plagiarism standard below) from work done for
this course but not from any other course. Be careful to avoid
plagiarism--text you take from a web site, from a book, or from
online class notes must be either quoted with the source given or
restated almost entirely in your own words, with the source
given. The catalog defines as one form of academic
dishonesty: "Plagiarism, which includes the intentional or
unintentional copying of language, structure, or ideas of another
and attributing the work to one’s own efforts." Note the
word unintentional--if you forget to put quote marks or a
reference you can be found guilty of academic dishonesty even if
it was not your intention to cheat.
It is cheating to cut and paste or otherwise copy
portions of a argument paper, exam, or discussion board posting
from a book, web site, or from the online class notes, unless you
quote and give the source. Changing a few words is not sufficient
to make the material your own. It is poor writing for more than
about 20% of your paper to consist of quotes. In most cases
when you use specific material from any source you should
paraphrase: cite the source and put the ideas into you own words
(generally no more than 5 consecutive words should match the
source but if the words are mostly the same it could still be
plagiarism even if there aren't 5 consecutive words).
The catalog states: "When, in the opinion of a
course instructor, there is evidence that a student has committed
an act of academic dishonesty, that person must make a formal
written charge of academic dishonesty, including a description of
the misconduct, to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
The reporting person may, at his/her discretion, inform each
involved student privately of the nature of the alleged charge. In
cases of plagiarism instructors may use, as an option, the
Plagiarism Resolution Form available from the Office of
Undergraduate Studies."
LAPTOPS AND CELL PHONES: You are welcome to bring technology
to the classroom as long as you can handle it responsibly and
respectfully. Use of laptops, tablets and cell phones during
class for purposes not related to this course is disrespectful to
the instructor and distracting to other students. Do not
carry on conversations—either out loud or in electronic form—or do
work for another class or play games in class. You may use
your devices to take notes during class or to look up further
information on a topic being discussed. Students using their
devices during class may be called on to share what they are
learning with the rest of the class.
TEXTS: Four books are required. You need the first book
right away, but you can order used copies of the other books
(particularly the Graham--the bookstore new price is
unreasonable). E-books will not be a problem for course use if
that works for you.
Vaclav Smil , Energy
and Civilization, A History (MIT Press, 2017)
Joshua B. Freeman, Behemoth: A History of the Factory
(WW Norton, 2018)
Loren R. Graham, The Ghost of the Executed Engineer
(Harvard, 1993)
Marie Hicks, Programmed Inequality (MIT
Press, 2018)
SCHEDULE: Readings are listed under each
lecture or discussion topic. Underlined lecture titles are
links that lead to notes.
Student Accessibility Services: Clemson
University values the diversity of our student body as a
strength and a critical component of our dynamic community.
Students with disabilities or temporary injuries/conditions may
require accommodations due to barriers in the structure of
facilities, course design, technology used for curricular
purposes, or other campus resources. Students who experience a
barrier to full access to this class should let the professor
know, and make an appointment to meet with a staff member in
Student Accessibility Services as soon as possible. You can make
an appointment by calling 864-656-6848, by emailing
studentaccess@lists.clemson.edu, or by visiting Suite 239 in the
Academic Success Center building. Appointments are strongly
encouraged – drop-ins will be seen if at all possible, but there
could be a significant wait due to scheduled appointments.
Students who receive Academic Access Letters are strongly
encouraged to request, obtain and present these to their
professors as early in the semester as possible so that
accommodations can be made in a timely manner. It is the
student’s responsibility to follow this process each semester.
You can access further information at the Student
Accessibility Services Website and the Office
of Access and Equity Website.
Email Policy / Response Time: Clemson does not
provide me with a phone; email is my preferred method of contact
for university business. You can expect a response to your email
inquiries within 36 hours, excluding weekends and university
holidays.
Copyright: All materials found in this course
are strictly for the use of students enrolled in this course and
for purposes associated with this course; they may not be
retained or further disseminated. Clemson students, faculty, and
staff are expected to comply fully with institutional copyright
policy as well as all other copyright laws.
Privacy Policy: Because privacy
regulations stipulate that faculty and staff communicate with
students through authorized University channels, use your
University email account (preferred) or Canvas's messaging
system to contact me.This
course is designed with your privacy in mind. If, however, you
feel that an assignment or technology tool undermines your right
to privacy or is uncomfortable for you personally, please
contact me immediately. We will work together to determine an
alternative assignment that will help you achieve the course
learning outcomes.
Online Conduct: Appropriate online academic
conduct means maintaining a safe learning environment based on
mutual respect and civility. All participants in Clemson courses
are expected to behave professionally by adhering to these
standards of conduct:
Never
transmit or promote content known to be illegal
Respect other people's
privacy as well as your own
Forgive other people's
mistakes
Never use harassing,
threatening, embarrassing, or abusive language or actions
Online communication that fails to meet these
standards of conduct will be removed from the course. Repeated
misconduct may result in being blocked from online discussions,
receiving a grade penalty, or being dismissed from the course.
Such misconduct in the online environment may also be reported
to officials for appropriate action in accordance with
University policy. If you ever encounter inappropriate content
in our course, please contact me with your concerns.
Academic Integrity: As members of the Clemson
University community, we have inherited Thomas Green Clemson's
vision of this institution as a "high seminary of learning."
Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to
truthfulness, honor, and responsibility, without which we cannot
earn the trust and respect of others. Furthermore, we recognize
that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of a Clemson
degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or
stealing in any form.
A simple definition of plagiarism is when someone
presents another person's words, visuals, or ideas as his or her
own. See the first section of the syllabus for specifics on how
this is defined in this course. The instructor will deal with
plagiarism on a case-by-case basis. I will use, at my
discretion, the Plagiarism Resolution Form. All infractions of
academic dishonesty will be reported to Undergraduate Studies
for resolution through that office.
Academic Grievances: Students are advised to
visit the Ombuds'
Office prior to filing a grievance. After discussion with
the undergraduate academic ombudsman, students should contact
Undergraduate Studies (656-3022) for assistance filing official
paperwork.
Non-Discrimination: Clemson University is
committed to providing a higher education environment that is
free from sexual discrimination. Therefore, if you believe you
or someone else that is part of the Clemson University community
has been discriminated against based on sex, or if you have
questions about Title IX, please contact the Title IX
Coordinator, Alesia Smith, who also serves as the Executive
Director of Equity Compliance, at 110 Holtzendorff Hall,
864-656-3181 (voice) or 864-656-0899 (TDD). The Title IX
Coordinator is the person designated by Clemson University to
oversee its Title IX compliance efforts. Please consult the
University's Title IX policy for full details.
Student Support Services:
Academic
Success Center: The Academic Success Center provides free
services, including tutoring, academic coaching, and academic
skills workshops, for all Clemson students. Visit the Academic Success Center
website for more information on their services and
workshops.
Writing
Center: Clemson University’s Writing Center offers free
one-on-one tutoring for all Clemson students. Visit the Writing Center's
website for more information about their services or to
make an appointment.
Cooper
Library: Reference librarians are available in person
and via text, phone, email, and chat to answer your research
questions. Visit Ask
a Librarian for more information or to get in touch with
a librarian.
Technical
Support: If you are having hardware or software
problems, CCIT's Service Desk may be able to help you. Visit
the help desk on the second level of the library or contact
them at ITHELP@clemson.edu
with a detailed description of your problem.
Academic
Advising: Academic
advising is an ongoing educational process that connects
the student to the University. Academic advising supports the
University's mission of preparing the student for learning
beyond the confines of the academy. Academic advisors
represent and interpret University policies and procedures to
the student and help the student navigate the academic and
organizational paths of the institution.
Registrar:
The Registrar's
office provides information about important deadlines,
degree and program requirements, and other key information,
including use of iROAR to add, drop, or withdraw from
courses.
Food/housing
insecurity: Any student who has difficulty affording
groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or
who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this
may affect their performance in the course, is urged to
contact the Dean of Students for support. The Clemson Paw
Pantry is also a resource for food and hygienic supplies.
Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are
comfortable in doing so.
Instructor: Prof. Pamela E. Mack
