Technology is often presented today as a total factor, capable of affecting the whole of social life and the concept of a technology-driven society highlights the various “disruptions” that are attributed to certain technological developments. In the 1990s the expression “digital revolution” appeared, which for many represents a watershed, determining a “before” and “after.” Historical analysis however often fails to consider the technological factor as a relevant category. If we reason in terms of “global history,” we can observe a chronological and sectorial structuring around international relations which includes the political evolution of various nations, ideological, economic and social factors or the history of individuals, insisting for example on the lives of certain leaders and their actions but also analyzing changes in societies with a sociological approach. The emergence of technology as an all-encompassing key in twenty-first century society leads us to two kinds of reasoning. The first is to look closely at global history to determine whether there are precedents that allow us to nurture critical reflection on the “revolution” underway. From this point of view, the multiple readings that oppose technology and humanity often represent a classic projection of the fears that people project onto their own destiny. The second, is to analyze in historical depth the connection between technological evolution and politics, also in order to contribute to the growth of an awareness that is meant to be synonymous with the strengthening of the instruments of governmentality. Technology does not represent a factor per se, a “deus ex macchina” that produces “magical” consequences after its sudden appearance: it is the fruit of a sociology both in its maturation and in its implementation, when it is then industrialized and disseminated, which points to the need for a deeper knowledge of the conditions of development and adoption of technology.

Understanding of technological, historical and political dynamics and logical interconnections between them. Technologies are now synonymous with radical changes in the social order, and it is necessary to deepen this technological nexus in order to be able not only to develop critical skills, but also to awaken among students a greater ability to assess the opportunities and risks associated with it, in both the economic and political context. Comparing different interpretative approaches to a historical and technological event and being able to critically evaluate the deeper meaning of the event in a broader context with impact on today’s political and social problems. This enhances independent and critical thinking. Public Speaking and communication skills, through summary presentations and document analysis exercises in class. A participative laboratory exercise will be conducted in order to build up an historically and politically informed negotiation capability around a technological question. Students will be divided in groups in order to perform collective work that will be graded. This presentation/laboratory work will contribute to 30% of the final mark. The remaining 70% will be acquired through an oral exam. IMPORTANT : Students who benefit from an attendance exemption won’t be involved in the laboratory. Their mark will exclusively be determined by the oral exam.

This course will look at the development of technology since WW2 and the main international trends. Technology represents a very effective key to provide an analysis of important political and social evolutions. Furthermore, in many cases technology is considered a transformative factor, meaning that it is not only the description of human production within the evolution of society but the production itself shapes the evolution of society. Between the 20th and 21st century, the digital revolution has created a new paradigm where the relation between human and technology is changing, which leads to a new set of analysis.

THE AGE OF SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM ; THE FIGHT FOR A HUMAN FUTURE AT THE NEW FRONTIER OF POWER, Shoshana Zuboff, PROFILE BOOKS, 2019. Additional readings will be assigned by the instructor.

The course will integrate traditional teaching with student presentations and debates that will stimulate the participation of each student in the activities of the class.

Final oral exam.

A final course grade of at least 28/30.