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：GEHA1309
课程学分：3
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.
An extra 45-minute session in the 3-credit version of the course is dedicated to enhancing students' academic writing and oral English proficiency. This session adopts a flexible approach that combines guided group discussions with individualized tutorial.
Students will engage in group discussions centered on carefully selected primary and secondary scholarly materials. These discussions are intended to deepen critical thinking, improve oral English fluency, and encourage clear articulation of complex ideas. Tutorial sessions will focus on students’ assigned writing tasks. During these tutorials, the instructor will provide individualized feedback on drafts of essays and response papers, with particular attention to structure, argumentation and style.
Depending on class size, the session will adapt flexibly: with larger classes (more than 10 students), more time will be allocated to structured group discussions; with smaller classes, the emphasis will shift toward in-depth one-on-one or small-group tutorials.