Crown 79: Social and Political Implications of Emerging Technologies
Dr./ Ms./ Mrs./ Marilyn Patton: mapatton@ucsc.edu or mdpatton1@gmail.com
Text or call: 831 234 1697
https://sites.google.com/site/marilynpattonspage/home/crown-79---2017
Office hours: Crown 110 Wednesdays 4-5 and Thursdays 11:40-12:40
CROWN 79 is an introduction to university intellectual life. Our main goal is the development of analytical reading and critical thinking skills focusing on the topic of emerging technologies. Research on this topic is articulated around a group project, which also will be used to learn strategies for effective work in groups, an essential skill in most fields and of particular relevance to STEM disciplines.
Course Objectives:
This class will enhance your ability to:
1) Critically read and comprehend material drawn from a range of disciplines and genres.
2) Discuss multiple views and perspectives about the course materials and their broad implications for participating in a democratic society.
3) Successfully work collaboratively on projects arising from course materials.
This class will also serve as introduction to Winter Crown Core (Crown 80) in at least three different ways:
1) The development of critical reading and text analysis skills will provide a foundation for writing and other academic skills.
2) The general structure will model the Winter Core class.
3) Some of the readings will overlap with Winter Core requirements.
Group project: You will work with three other students in a group based on a shared interest in researching a similar topic. Groups will form in Week 2, write a pre-presentation paper laying out the findings by Weeks 8 or 9, and present their findings to the class during the last two weeks of the quarter.
Student groups will meet independently, usually at the same time as the class. Groups will meet with me at my office for 30 minutes twice during the quarter to check on progress and receive feedback on their group project.
In-class: During weeks 2 through 8, class will be focused on:
1. Development of your skills in group collaborative writing and presentation through in-class activities.
2. Analysis and discussion of a set of readings placing technologies in a broader societal and ethical context.
3. You will be asked to either take a quiz or do some writing after every reading. Discussion of the readings will continue in class.
4. To enhance the seminar-nature of the class, you and a few fellow students will start discussion on the readings during ONE week of the quarter. You may do this by writing a quiz that starts discussion, by asking questions that you have about the reading, by making connections between the readings and films or television series or video games, or by setting up a debate, taking opposite opinions about the readings for the week.
Grading Total of 1000 points possible.
ü Summer Writing Assignment: 50
ü eFast Notes: 25
ü Selfie or non-selfie: 25 extra credit
ü Weekly in-class quizzes and freewrites: 25 points each. There will be seven plus the elevator pitch so 200 total.
ü Collaborative Research and Writing: 250 (includes points for participation in the two meetings with Dr. Patton)
ü Collaborative Presentation: 200
ü Individual Campus Exploration (doing it and presenting results): 100
ü Participation in Class Discussion: 100 (based on actual verbal contributions)
ü Starting class discussion with questions and ideas one time: 75
Course Requirements:
· Summer Writing Assignment
· eFast Notes
· Weekly in-class quizzes or freewrites
· Final Group Research paper (2000 words or 6-7 pages)
· Final Group Presentation (15-25 minutes)
· Individual Campus Exploration and presentation (5 minutes maximum)
· Willingness to engage new ideas, collegiality, respect, sense of humor
· Attendance at all ten section meetings
· Class Participation
If you experience problems completing the work, seek help. See me right away, and make an appointment with your Academic Advisor. S/he can help you with time management and referrals to tutoring or other resources. Remember, we faculty and staff are here to help you succeed.
* Note: University of California Systemwide Senate Regulation 760 specifies that 1 academic credit corresponds to 3 hours of work per week per credit in a 10-week quarter. The following is provided as a breakdown of time expectations for a two-credit course (6 hours)
· class time – 1.75 hours
· reading – 2.0 hours
· individual student research preparing for collaborative group work –0.5 hour
· collaborative group work on paper and presentation – 0.75 hours
· campus exploration – 1.0 hour