Each seminar instructor will select some questions from those listed below for the mid-term exam to be used in their seminar section/s. Instructors may have specific instructions pertaining to these items and will discuss them in your seminar sections.

Items marked "CE" designate longer, critical essay questions and those marked "SE" indicate short essay items. Check with your seminar instructor for more information.  However items marked "CE" might appear on your mid-term exam as a short essay instead of a critical essay but not the other way around.

Unit One - Introduction & Historical Perspectives

1.  Choose either of the following two SET course themes. Write a brief essay explaining the meaning of the theme  you select using specific examples or illustrations from at least two of the SET readings and/or lectures to date.   CE

Theme #1: Technology is a uniquely human process made possible because of  humankind's unique physical and mental capabilities.

Theme #2: Technology is the principal means by which humans have survived and gained dominance on earth.

2.  List in chronological order at least six of the most significant milestones in the history and evolution of humankind's use of technology. Give the approximate date in the number of years before the present that each occurred.     SE

3.  Consider the following assertions: In general, important technological advances in the past have progressed in a relatively steady manner over time and have spread rapidly in different cultures that were at a similar level of technological sophistication overall. Do you agree or disagree with these assertions? Support your position with at least one specific example from the readings and/ or lectures.      CE

4.  Describe one important technological system that was developed in the U.S. in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Include in your description reference to its impact on our social and/or cultural life.     CE

5.  Discuss major differences and similarities between "science" and "technology."             SE

6.  Define technology as a system, discussing the component elements.  CE

7.  What is meant by "technological citizenship" . What rights and responsibilities are associated with this concept?    SE

8.  Ruth Cowan makes the point that "one of the significant consequences of the Industrial Revolution was that people became less dependent on nature and more dependent on each other." What does she mean by this statement? Include at least two examples in your answer.    CE

9  Identify one technology introduced between 1900 and 1950.  Using this technology as an example, answer the following questions:
        1. How has the technology been used?
        2. How has the technology changed the economy?
        3. How has the technology affected the environment?
       4. How has that technology influenced the kind of world that has developed since its introduction?     CE

Unit Two – Social Perspectives

10.  What are the major arguments made by Bush in support of a feminist perspective of technology?     CE

11.  Discuss how the Agricultural Revolution changed the ways in which humans lived and worked. What were the key technologies associated with the Agricultural Revolution and their social consequences?  CE

12.  Define "invisible technologies" and give two examples.    SE

13.  What is the "social constructionist" view in social theory and how might it help to explain the different attitudes people have towards technology? What is your attitude towards technology? Do you think that social constructionism explains why you tend to feel as you do?   CE

14.  Identify and briefly describe the five steps leading to the adoption of a technological innovation.     SE

15.  Discuss two major ways in which governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations attempt to protect citizens against negative consequences of technology.        SE

16.  What does Sclove mean by the term "polypotency" as applied to tools and technologies? Illustrate this concept by means of one example.     SE

17.  Name the three ways in which citizens can influence governmental policies about technology.     SE

18.  Compare and contrast two of the following theories about the relationship between technology and society:  (1) Social Constructionism; (2) Technological Culturalism; (3) Technological Determinism.  Which of them best fits your own personal position and why?    CE

19.  In the early stages of a technology, many different ideas are attempted and compete with each to win acceptance. Explain why you either agree or disagree with the assertion that " the best (most useful) technology generally wins out " and give an example to support your position.    SE

20.  What is meant by "sustainable development"? Identify and describe its elements. How do you think such development fits with the new responsibilities of ethics?    CE

21.  Assume that the site of a former factory in your home town is polluted. You want to do something to get the site cleaned up. What could you do?  Apply the experience of James and Louise Rolling and the Northwest Community Improvement Association and the Clean Air Now coalition to develop a strategy.    CE

22.  How and why should we rethink technology, according to Bush?     SE

23.   What is meant by "Technological Maximality?" Give one example and explain how it infringes on traditional rights.    SE

Unit Three – Traditional Ethical Theories and the New Task of Ethics

24. What are the basic steps in ethical decision-making?   SE

25. What are four types of ethical issues related to technology?   SE

26. What are the elements of Robert McGinn's "Troubling Triad"? Why are they troubling? What solutions does McGinn propose to this problem? Do you agree or disagree with his proposed solutions? Explain    CE

27. Discuss the three technologies which Dyson feels hold the greatest promise for the future and how likely do you feel they will improve life for many people.   CE

28. What are the characteristics of traditional "neighbor ethics" as defined by Hans Jonas? What does Jonas believe are the limitations of this ethical framework for controlling contemporary forms of technology? In particular, what new kinds of responsibilities must we humans assume in order to overcome the limitations of
traditional ethics? Explain why you either agree or disagree?    CE