Stevens symposium looks at the nature of technology, change

On April 19-20, Stevens Institute of Technology will host a gathering of scholars from the United States and abroad to discuss new trends in the field of technology studies. The symposium, "Technology Studies: New Frontiers," will examine the very nature of technology and change. It will also explore the cutting-edge methods now used by leading experts in the technology studies field. The event is hosted by Stevens' Arthur E. Imperatore School of Sciences and Arts.

"The field of technology studies is at a crossroads today," says Dr. James McClellan III, a Stevens history of technology professor and prominent author in the field.

"Technology historians have come a long way from the 1950s when they focused on artifacts and 'things,'" he says. "The next generation focused on 'technological systems' and the social construction of those systems. The issue today is, where does the field go from here?"

The symposium opens Friday, April 19, with a 6 p.m. dinner featuring a talk by Dr. Paul Israel of Rutgers University and the Edison Papers on "Inventing Patents, Defining Technology: The Patent System and the Creation of Intellectual Property."

Sessions on Saturday, April 20, will focus on the study, history and social significance of technology with speakers from several universities. Robert Post, Senior Fellow at the Dibner Institute at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will give the luncheon keynote address (12:30 to 2:30 p.m.) on "History and the History of Technology."

Other presenters include the symposium organizers, Drs. McClellan and Mary Ann Hellrigel of Stevens' Department Humanities and Social Sciences; Drs. Carol Gould and Arnold Urken, also of the department; Hans-Joachim Braun of the Universitat Der Bundeswehr, Hamburg, Germany; Dr. Arwen Palmer Mohun of the University of Delaware; Dr. Martin Melosi of the University of Houston, Dr. Erik Peter Rau of Drexel University; and Dr. Ann Johnson of Fordham University.

For a full listing of presentations, registration and hotel information, and contacts, see: www.stevens.edu/humanities/Conferences/Humanities_Conf.pdf

For registration information contact: Katherine Connors at kconnors@stevens.edu or (201) 216-8074.

(Note: Reporters are welcome at no charge; please contact the number above if you wish to attend.)

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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