课程信息
课程名称：全球视野下的科技进步/Global Perspectives on Technological Development
课程代码：GEHA1289
课程学分：2
课程简介
This course “GPTD,” offered at ShanghaiTech University, is part of the “Humanities in English” curriculum and explores the historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of science and technology in a global context. Moving beyond a purely technical understanding of innovation, the course asks a fundamental question: why do societies innovate, and how do technologies reshape human life?
Through a series of case studies ranging from early modern Eurasia to the contemporary rise of artificial intelligence, students will examine key historical debates such as the Needham Question, the Industrious Revolution, and the global impact of the Industrial Revolution. The course also situates science within broader social and political frameworks by examining figures such as J. Robert Oppenheimer, Pyotr Kapitza, and Qian Xuesen.
A distinctive feature of the course is its integration of perspectives from artificial intelligence and digital technologies. As a pilot (“test run”) for the Institute of Humanities’ future initiative to develop a major in “AI + Humanities,” the course encourages students to reflect critically on the societal implications of emerging technologies.
The course culminates in a final project in which students design a mini-exhibition for a future technology museum, combining historical knowledge, critical thinking, and creative presentation.