The idea of technological revolution helps define and explain one of the most important phenomena of modern life: that we live in a time of profound and constant change. This comparative history course will examine technological change and its impact on various societies in Europe, America and Australia over the past 200 years. Topics examined will include industrialisation, transportation, early science fiction, electrification, mass production, telecommunications, warfare, domestic technologies, flight and the computer revolution. Key issues addressed are mankind's relationship with technology (technophilia versus technophobia), the process of invention and development, technological determinism, and the role of gender in the history of technology. A particular focus of the course will be the cultural and social aspects of technological change, exploring the interaction between ideas, technology and the way people lived their lives.

• Students will be provided with a broad understanding of the history technological development between 1800 and 2000.
• Students will gain an appreciation of the interaction between changing technology and the economic, political, social and cultural forces at work within the host societies. 
• An appreciation of some of the key debates involving technology and technological change: mankind's relationship with technology (technophilia versus technophobia); the very different processes of invention, development and adoption; technological determinism; and the role of gender, ideology, culture and war in the history of technology. 
  
  The following skills will be emphasised.
• Critical Analysis:  To be able to read primary and secondary sources critically, perceive bias and possible omission and to filter information relevant to the proposed discussion or essay.
• Argument Formation:  To be able to formulate an argument coherently and support it with primary and secondary evidence.
• Writing Skills:  To write clearly and cogently on a given topic within a specified time and number of words. 
• Research:  To gain a familiarity with the historiography of the history of technology and an appreciation of the sources available for research.

Tutorial participation (10%), 1,000 word book review (20%), 3,000 word case study essay (40%), a 2000 word synoptic essay (30%).