HIST 389: Topics in US. History.

HIST 389-003: History of Aviation
(Spring 2015)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM W

Innovation Hall 208

Section Information for Spring 2015

The ability of humans to take to the air and on into space in the twentieth century generated some of the most dramatic events in the history of human civilization. This seminar focuses on the history of aerospace – flight within and beyond the Earth's atmosphere – from its origins to the present day by discussing significant case studies within the broader context of culture, economics, politics, society, technology, and war. It will be for both humanities and science/engineering majors alike who want to gain a better understanding of the development of science and technology from a historical perspective.

The seminar will outline the seven major periods in aerospace history: the origins of flight, 1783-1903; early flight, 1903-1914; World War I, 1914-1918; the Aeronautical Revolution, 1918-1938; World War II, 1930-1945; the Aerospace Industry, the Cold War, and Postwar Growth, 1947-1990; and late twentieth century developments, 1990-2004. Major themes and issues addressed in seminar discussions and presentations include: the emergence of aerospace engineering as a professional discipline; airships, balloons, and blimps; aviation in the Third World; commercial airlines; culture and society with an emphasis on aviation art, literature, music, and film; the evolution of aerospace technology; government support of new technologies; the growth of the aerospace industry; the idea of progress in the development of the airplane; manufacturing and design; military air power doctrine, theory, and practice; the minority experience in aviation; naval aviation; rotary-wing flight; the Space Race; and sport and recreational aviation.

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Course Information from the University Catalog