- this course is involves active learning and participation

Topics to be considered:

bioethics/medical/health computers and information technology politics futuristist ideas science religion

social issues cultural change gaming entertainment environmental

Course goals:

The aim of this course is to examine the relationship between technology and culture in the broadest sense, from the role of tools used in society to the impact of high technology in post-industrial societies. The course begins with an overview of the theoretical approaches to the linkage between technology, culture and society. We will examine the role of technology as a determinant of culture. Particular attention will be given to the diffusion and transfer of new technology and its impact on social development

Communication using blogs

You will be required to set up a blog space for online discussions. You will be required to submit weekly reflections on the assigned dates.

Consider the film/speaker, the reading and add a critique. Several paragraphs would be necessary to discuss these highlights. Be sure to use critical thinking and not just sharing facts.

At one point we will have a discussion using the blog as a medium. Set up a blog account with the new Penn State Blog system. Go to: http://blogs.psu.edu/.

What is a blog? A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.

Internet features of the course:

You need to use the Internet in this course. If you do not have a connection elsewhere, the computer labs at the University are filled with computers with connections. Please report any errors in the web pages to the instructor by email. All of the pages will be available through Angel (http://cms.psu.edu).

Films:

Films related to the material will be shown in class. The students are responsible for knowing their content and being able to discuss them.

This list represents the plan for CAS-383. Please note that it is merely a *plan*. Actual dates may change due to snow, illness or other unforeseen problems. Please use this as a guide and keep looking for any changes.

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CLASS SCHEDULE

Course Text Books

Technology and the Future, Albert Teich 10th edition

Grading

100 percent total possible

All written work must be turned in on time. Work submitted late  will be penalized (5% per day). 

Course Requirements:

Class Participation: This class was intentionally kept small in order to run it as a discussion based and writing intensive seminar. I will keep my lecturing to a minimum. Most of class time will be devoted to discussing the reading, (and at other times the videos/slides and your projects). Therefore, it is absolutely essential to the success of this course that each of you complete the assigned reading prior to our class meeting. While some class time will be used by me to present material, most of it will be used for discussion and criticism of the reading material. Seminars only work well when the participants (students and professor) have done the reading.

In short, this course requires that you:

a. come to class prepared, which means having done the reading prior to each class meeting; and

b. that you are willing to verbally express your views and ask questions. It is your responsibility as much as mine to make this course educational and interesting -- and that requires your active participation. There are no "dumb questions" in this course -- so speak up!

One Term Paper:

The major assignment for the course is a research project resulting in a term paper of 4-5 pages. Your research may be on any approved topic concerning the relationship between technology and culture. Because you will devote a fair amount of time to your papers, it will important for you to chose topics that deeply interest you. Try to find something you are or can be passionate about -- it will make the work a lot more interesting. Be sure to consider the questions of technological determinism in your paper. Devote a few paragraphs to this to discuss your topic and this theory. The data for your paper may be based on original fieldwork and/or on published sources. Find someone who is using technology in the area of your interest and interview them or ask them to see their research. The paper is expected to be 4-5 pages in length and have 3-5 reference articles (at least 2 are non-web). Deadlines for your term project are as follows:

• (2/1)- turn in a one page description of your research topic along with 3 research questions that you hope to explore. (3 points)
• (2/22) - turn in final copy of your paper. You will present your research findings in a brief oral report in class. (12 points)
• (dates assigned(either 2/22 or 2/24) - oral presentation (5 points)

Be sure to include in your paper is a discussion about technological determinism. What are your thoughts on this technology related to these concepts?

Facebook Assignment: We will use this time to work with another university to share thoughts on certain topics and interact. Then, we will summarize our findings.

Blog Reviews: Most of the blogs are reaction statements to the films and the readings. It is important for you to tie them together. For some of the reading assignments you will be given a question in advance and asked to post your thoughts. Blog grading:

90-100 good connections with the film/speaker and the readings(critical thought)
80-90 show some aspects of the readings and connections to the film/speaker
70-80 a simple summary of both
less than 70 only a discussion of either

Exams: No exams.

Multi media project:

2 days to work on it from class time: 4/14 and 4/19
Completed project will include:

Multimedia presentation
5 minutes in length
2 topics covered in class and theory
Key points(include quotes from readings or book)
Pictures and/or movie clips

To be turned in(due on 4/21):

Upload your video presentation on youtube
1-2 page paper discussing what you did

Presentation

Show your movie/presentation  on the last 2-3 days of class

Grading: Your grade for the course will be based on the following:

• 1 discussion question leading (10% )
  • submitted and discussion led on the topic during class
• short blog assignments (30%)
  -response to class discussions and assigned topics
  • grading will be on the top 6 blogs that were submitted on time (5% each)
• research project and papers (15% paper, 5% on presentation)
  -3-initial questions and description(due dates 2/1)
  -12- paper (due 2/22)
  -5 paper oral presentation (assigned day)
  
• facebook project (15%)
• class participation and attendance (10%)
• final multimedia project (15%)

List	Assignment value	Your grade
discussion question	10
blogs(6 top blogs at 5% each)	30
research topic and paper	topic(3) paper (12)
research presentation	5
facebook project	15
class participation	10
multimedia project	15

Sites and other reference books:

http://www.gadgetcentral.com/
http://wired.com/
http://www.gizmodo.com/
http://msnbc.msn.com/ (click on tech/science)
http://www.cnet.com/
http://www.popsci.com/
http://www.intuitivesurgical.com/products/davinci_surgicalsystem/
http://billpringle.com/home/facebook.html#info

Culture and Technology, Andrew Murphie and John Potts
Being Digital, N. Negroponte
Culture, C. Jenks
Cybersociety, S. Jones
The Technological Society , J. Ellul
Technoculture, D. Shaw
Technology and the Future, Albert Teich

Attendance

Students will be permitted 2 unexcused absences. Other absences will require a written excuse. One point will be deducted from the 10% allocated for class participation for every unexcused absence above the 2 permitted. You are responsible for the lecture material and other discussions in class. If you are absent, ask a classmate.

PSU Statement on Academic Integrity

According to the University Advising Handbook: "Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception, and is the educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person, or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Any violation of academic integrity will be thoroughly investigated, and where warranted, punitive action will be taken." Students should be aware that standards for documentation and intellectual contribution may depend on the course content and method of teaching, and should consult instructors for guidance.