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Sep 16, 2025
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HST 1021 - Computing History3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course will start with the abacus and ancient stories of machines and will take students through mechanical and electronic computers to the fields of modern computing. While the focus of the course is the technology, the social forces and techno-cultural innovations that shaped the field will also be discussed as critical context to the technology development. Learners will learn about developments in hardware, software, and design through lectures, case studies, guest speakers, media, and hands-on experimentation. Opportunities to deeply explore areas of personal interest are provided at several points throughout the class.
Prereq: None
Note: None
This course meets the following Raider Core CLO Requirement: Exhibit Curiosity
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Categorize computing innovation into eras and cite historical milestones
- List historical thought leaders and describe their contributions to computing
- Trace the progress of computing innovation to the modern computing experience
- Explore innovations in the historical, social, and cultural contexts of their time
- Connect past trends in computing to contemporary issues
- Compare the fields of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, and User Experience
Prerequisites by Topic
Course Topics
- Pre-mechanical computers
- Mechanical computers
- Electrical computers
- Computer architecture
- Programming languages
- Networking
- History of video games
- History of AI
- Internet of things
- Interaction with machines
Coordinator
Dr. Katherine Panciera
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