Technological Thought
Objectives
• To understand the mythical and symbolic dimension associated with technology in the long-term perspective, taking into account the main epistemological transformations that have marked Western culture; • To apply theoretical and methodological knowledge and operative concepts from literary studies, cultural studies and studies on the imaginary to the interpretation of a diverse set of works (literary and others) representative of the evolution of technological thought over the centuries; • To transfer acquired knowledge on the relationship between the technological imaginary and artistic creation to new aesthetic contexts and new contemporary cultural and artistic practices; • To deepen theoretical and methodological knowledge in order to prepare a final essay resulting from an autonomous investigation
General characterization
Code
02107350
Credits
10.0
Responsible teacher
Carlos Fonseca Clamote Carreto
Hours
Weekly - 3
Total - 280
Teaching language
Portuguese
Prerequisites
Available soon
Bibliography
ADAM, V.; CAIOZZO, A. (dir.) (2010). La Fabrique du corps humain. Grenoble, MSH
BERTHELOT et al. (2007). Sience-fiction et imaginaires contemporains. Bargelonne.
BURNETT, J. et al. (dir.) (2009). The Myths of Technology. Nova Iorque: P. Lang.
CHIFFLET (2008). «La pensée mythique dans les imaginaires scientifiques et techniques». In P. Schnyder.Métamorphoses du mythe. Paris: L'Harmattan
CONRAD (2017). Mythomania. Tales of Our Times from Apples to Isis. Londres: Tahmes & Hudson
FLICHY (2001). L’Imaginaire d’Internet. Paris: La Découverte
GARCIN (dir.) (2007). Nouvelles mythologies. Paris: Seuil
LAKEL et al. (dir.) (2009), Imaginaire(s) des technologies d’information et de communication. Paris: MSH
MAYOR (2018). Gods and Robots. Myths, Machines, and Ancient Dreams of Technology. Princeton: Princeton Univ.Press
MUSSO (2013). L'Imaginaire industriel. Paris: Manucius
SIMONDON (2014). Sur la technique. Paris: PUF
WUNENBURGER (2000). L'Homme à l'âge de la télévision. Paris: PUF
Teaching method
Classes follow the characteristics of a seminar, enabling the preparation of theoretical texts and/or the reading and analysis of sources (of various types) previously contextualized, and individual or collaborative presentations in each session. Each 3-hour session will be organized in 3 stages: presentation and theoretical/epistemological contextualization by the teacher of the theme/problem that is being studied; presentation of documents previously read and analyzed by students; comment and discussion.
Evaluation method
Método de Avaliação - 1. oral interventions in the seminar, with prior preparation through guidance using the Moodle platform, on the themes that are being studied(40%), 2. Elaboration of a final research paper (15 pages) with oral discussion(60%)
Subject matter
I - The human body-machine: fictional identities 1. The machine as model of creation 2. From automaton to cyborg: utopias and dystopias 3. Variations on the Pygmalion myth II - Icarus and Prometheus: artistic creation and technical-scientific imaginary 1. The epistemological turn of Enlightenment 2. Frankenstein's sons: science and fiction in the 19th century 3. Artistic vanguards and industrial imaginary III - The faces of Hermes 1. Under the sign of Babel: technological thought and communication myths 2. From the manuscript to the hypertext 3. Myths and metaphors of knowledge in the digital age
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: