The history of technology has much to offer in illuminating the history of race in the United States.  This course will focus on the history of African-American science and technology from colonial times to the present with the intended goal of simultaneously exploring the history of race.  Students will study the social and cultural context of African Americans’ contributions to science and technology, as well as the impact of these contributions on American society and culture.  In addition, students will study the impact, in general, of science and technology on African Americans.  Throughout the course, the approach will be both historical and topical.  At the same time, the subject will be explored from the perspective of current work in the field of science, technology, and society studies.   There will be an ongoing effort to understand the ways that socially constructed ideas of race influenced the development and applications of science and technology and vice versa.  Likewise, the course will help students explore the various ways that African Americans used invention and technology in creative ways to counter the socially constructed ideas of race that were often expressed in technological artifacts. 

          In addition to mastering the thematic content of the course, students will have numerous opportunities to improve listening, analytical, writing, and oral presentation skills.  Throughout the course, class discussions and various assignments will encourage the development of critical thinking skills.  Students will be encouraged to use reasoning to take a position and then communicate it with clarity.  Students will also participate in team or collaborative work.  Course materials will include primary documents and scholarly essays, as well as some primary audio or video materials.  Course assignments for each student will include a copious amount of reading, a daily journal, three short papers, and participation as a member of a research team.  The culminating experience for the course will be team research projects (substantial team-written research papers and team presentations) on topics related to technology, race, and diversity in the twenty-first century.