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SyllabusPhilosophy and TechnologySpring 2002Marist CollegeDr. Greg MosesPlease consider the following links:
Course Description: In this course we will explore some of the latest contributions to reflective inquiry about the meaning and value of technology in our lives. From examples such as personal machines and artificial life forms, we will reflect on the meaning and value of style and vision in a technological age. Then we will consider the challenges and possibilities presented by technological environments for our worlds of work and politics. Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students should be better able to explore the meaning and value of technology in their lives. Assessment: Frequent assignments will provide ample opportunity to assess student progress. Required Texts (in order of use):
Course Requirements: The final grade will be based upon the following components:
Attendance Policy: Documentation will be accepted within two weeks of an excused absence. More than two undocumented absences will result in deduction of a letter grade from the final average. More than three undocumented absences, two letter grades. More than four undocumented absences, and the instructor reserves the right to issue a failing grade. Late Grades: Preparations and assignments should arrive in class with the student. Any preparations or assignments not accompanied by students to class will be marked "late" or "absent" with a grade penalty. Weather: If the College announces official closing for weather, we will cancel class accordingly. Otherwise, class will be held. Jan. 22--Introduction Jan. 24--Culture of Sewing I Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Jan. 29--Culture of Sewing II Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Jan. 31--Culture of Sewing III Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Feb. 5--Culture of Sewing IV Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing one useful approach to the meaning and value of sewing machines and (b) applying that approach to some other example of personal technology in our lives. Feb. 7--Library Session Meet at Library: To collect helpful material regarding other examples of personal technology. Feb. 12--Sharing Findings Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing your findings about another example of personal technology and (b) assessing the value of our sewing machine investigations for reflection upon the chosen technology. Feb. 14--Library Session Meet at Library: To supplement materials or organize outline. Feb. 19--Outline Workshop Prepare: Outline of first paper on meaning and value of personal machines, with two pages of discussion setting a framework suggested by inquiry into the sewing machine, two pages of supplemental research into your chosen form of personal technology, and two pages of your own general critical conclusion about the meaning and value of personal machines. Feb. 21--Workshop for Paper on Personal Machines Paper Due: Penalties for late and absent apply (please see above). Also Bring: Silicon Second Nature Feb. 26--Silicon Second Nature I Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Feb. 28--Silicon Second Nature II Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Mar. 5--Silicon Second Nature III Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Mar. 7--Silicon Second Nature IV Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing one useful approach to the meaning and value of cybernetic life forms and (b) applying that approach to some other example of technological possibility in our lives. Mar. 12--Library Session Meet at Library: To collect helpful material regarding other examples of technological possibility. Mar. 14--Sharing Findings Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing your findings about another example of technological possibility and (b) assessing the value of our cyber-life investigations for reflection upon the chosen technology. Mar. 19--Library Session Meet at Library: To supplement materials or organize outline. Mar. 21--Outline Workshop Prepare: Outline of paper on prospects and challenges posed by visionary technological innovation, with two pages of discussion setting a framework suggested by inquiry into cyber-life forms, two pages of supplemental research into your chosen form of technological innovation, and two pages of your own general critical conclusion about the meaning and value of technological possibility. Apr. 2--Workshop for Paper on Technological Possibilities Paper Due: Penalties for late and absent apply (please see above). Also Bring: Perform or Else Apr. 4--Perform or Else I Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Apr. 9--Perform or Else II Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Apr. 11--Perform or Else III Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing McKenzie's approach to the meaning and value of technology in our social world and (b) applying that approach to our own experience in the social world. Also Bring: Tehranian's Global Communication Apr. 16--Global Comm I Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Apr. 18--Global Comm II Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing an important argument from the reading and (b) commenting on a selected claim or conclusion. Apr. 23--Global Comm III Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing McKenzie's approach to the meaning and value of technology in our social world and (b) applying that approach to our own experience in the social world. Apr. 25--Library Session Meet at Library: To collect helpful material regarding other examples of important challenges to social value in a technological environment. Apr. 30--Sharing Findings Prepare: Two paragraphs: (a) summarizing your findings about another challenge area of social value in a technological environment and (b) assessing the value of our previous investigations into McKenzie and Tehranian. May 2--Outlining the Final Paper Prepare: Outline of a final 8-page paper challenges to social value in a technological environment, with a two-page review of McKenzie, a two-page review of Tehranian, a two page review of your own research, and a two-page critical conclusion of your own. Final--Paper on Challenges to Social Value in a Technological Environment Portfolio should include preparations, graded papers, and final paper. Attendance and late penalties apply. Contact Information
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