Schedule

This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please review it frequently. Changes will be accompanied by an announcement via D2L.

Watch the Introduction to the course.

Week 1: Codes and Information, and Early Computing Machines

Week 2: Who Computes?

Assessment: Reading Response Paper 1 (July 12)

Who computes? How does considering this question change our understanding of the history of computing? (Weeks 1 and 2) Please submit your paper through D2L.

Week 3: Software and Personal Computers

Mid-term Examination: July 19

Week 4: The Internet and Browser Wars

Week 5: Open or Closed

Assessment:Reading Response Paper 2 (August 2)

Make a case in favor of or against open access, open source software, or net neutrality, based on your understanding of the historical development of software and the internet. (Weeks 3, 4, and 5) Please submit your paper through D2L.

Week 6: Corporate Control: Search and Access

Assessment: Reading Response Paper 3 (August 9)

Are digital technologies objective and value-neutral? Why or why not? Why does it matter? (Week 6) Please submit your paper through D2L.

Week 7: Social Media and Privacy

Final Examination: August 15