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This course takes a hands-on, reflective, and critical approach to technology. Technology is a large part of our everyday lives. The phrase “there’s an app for that” has moved from a marketing campaign to a registered trademark to an everyday (almost) reality. Yet, concerns are being raised around increased levels of surveillance, encroachment on personal privacy, security issues, and accessibility. These concerns are evidence that the use of technology is neither neutral nor benign. This course, therefore, begins by defining technology and explaining what a sociological approach might look like. The course takes a social constructivist perspective to highlight how power operates in meaning making. By taking a historical and contemporary approach, this course highlights some of the promises and perils of technology in education, work, identity, and social relations.
Please note: that course is designed based on the assumption that students come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse needs. As such, where possible, flexibility and choice are built into the course’s framework (ie. Content is available in various formats and while some synchronous attendance is expected, there is some flexibility in the course). I have tried to anticipate what some of those needs might be, but if this course poses accessibility issues for you, please contact me and let me know how I can support your learning!
All readings will be accessible through direct links in the course syllabus or through the Okanagan College Library. Required readings are listed for each week.
Weekly Topic: Welcome and Introduction: Guiding question: What is technology?
Weekly Required Readings: No reading this week! It is recommended that you download next week's readings and read through them before attending class!
Weekly Tasks:
Review syllabus
Join our Slack Channel! (Link to be provided)
Attend classes
Class 1: Overview of the class, welcome, and introductions
Post your introductory video by Friday 4:00 pm! (See Week 1 in Discussions for more information)
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What is the sociology of technology?
Weekly Required Readings:
Lane, A. (2019) What is technology? in Open Learn. https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/engineering-technology/what-technology
Daw, E., (2023). What is Sociology of Technology? in languagehumanities.org. https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-sociology-of-technology.htm
Weekly Tasks:
Attend classes
Class 1: Lecture. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: TBA
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Engagement self-assessment report must be completed before 4:00 pm Sunday each week (in Moodle).
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What is the social construction of technology?
Weekly Required Readings:
Pinch, T. J., & Bijker, W. E. (1984). The Social Construction of Facts and Artefacts: Or How the Sociology of Science and the Sociology of Technology Might Benefit Each Other. Social Studies of Science, 14(3), p. 409-419 only. http://www.jstor.org/stable/285355 (Log in to Okanagan College Library to access)
Weekly Tasks:
Attend classes
Class 1: Social constructionism: If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Technology and social constructionism
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Engagement self-assessment report must be completed before 4:00 pm Sunday each week (in Moodle).
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What is (not) technologically mediated?
Weekly Required Readings:
Interview on mediation theory by Verena Zink and Severin Engelmann, Fatum Magazin: https://www.fatum-magazin.de/ausgaben/synthese/internationale-perspektiven/technology-mediation.html
Weekly Tasks:
Attend classes:
Class 1: Lecture: If you are unable to attend, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student as I do not share my notes.
Class 2 is also mandatory. Your first group meeting! You will be writing your project proposal draft to hand in next week. If you miss this class, you will not be able to participate in the group proposal and will lose 10%. If you have a medically documented reason for missing this class, please provide documentation and make arrangements with your group to participate in another way. Documentation and evidence of your participation must be submited before the submission deadline
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Engagement self-assessment report must be completed before 4:00 pm Sunday each week (in Moodle).
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What can we learn about technology from history? Case study 1: History and technology: automation/capitalism (Marxism - who benefits? what are we losing?)
Weekly Required Readings:
Hernandez, E., Prysner, J., and Ford, D. (Dec 9, 2019) A Marxist approach to technology. https://www.liberationschool.org/a-marxist-approach-to-technology/
Weekly Tasks:
Group Project Proposal is due Friday at 4:00 pm
Class 1: Lecture: History and Technology. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Take this time to finalize your project proposal. I will be available during class for consultation and to answer last minute questions.
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What can we learn from COVID 19 Pandemic about Technology? Case study 2: COVID 19
Weekly Required Readings:
Newswire (2021, October 12). Four in five Canadian students want a post-secondary education that matches their digital lifestyle, on Newswire. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/four-in-five-canadian-students-want-a-post-secondary-education-that-matches-their-digital-lifestyle-864140831.html
Penner, D. (2020, July 14). COVID 19: Technology inequality among concerns weighing on teachers in back-to-class planning, in Vancouver Sun. https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/covid-19-technology-inequality-among-concerns-weighing-on-teachers-in-back-to-class-planning
Weekly Tasks:
Class 1: Accessing Education: Power, Technology, and Questions of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization and Anti-racism (EDIDA).If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Why an ePortfolio, how to create an ePortfolio, and why is reflection an important part of your ePortfolio? If you are unable to attend Class 2, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What should the role of technology be in dealing with disability?
Weekly Required Readings:
Burke, M. (2017). Stop trying to fix disability. [YouTube, 9 mins.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPeH43XI4vA
Young, S. (2014). I'm not your inspiration, thank you very much. TED Talk, available on YouTube [9 mins.] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K9Gg164Bsw&t=556s
Weekly Task
Class 1: Technology and Disability. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: In class discussion. We will be watching a Ted Talk by Jeff Paradee and having discussion groups. If you are unable to attend Class 2, you are responsible for watching the Ted Talk on your own time and submitting a short reflection on the talk.
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: What is the role of technology in work?
Weekly Required Readings:
Grant, (2019, March 16). How Does Technology Affect the Work Environment Today? in Chron. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/technology-affect-work-environment-today-27299.html
Brown, B. (Host). (2022, December 19). Brené with Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley on The Digital Mindset, Part 1 of 2. [Audio podcast episode]. In Dare to Lead with Brené Brown. Parcast Network. https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-digital-mindset-part-1-of-2/ (Listen or read the transcript!)
Weekly Tasks:
Class 1: Lecture and Discussion: How much of your job is digital? If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: We will listen to Part 2 of Brenee Brown's interview with Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley and discuss.
Brown, B. (Host). (2022, December 26). Brené with Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley on The Digital Mindset, Part 2 of 2. [Audio podcast episode]. In Dare to Lead with Brené Brown. Parcast Network. https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-digital-mindset-part-2-of-2/ This is required (examinable). If you are unable to attend, please listen to this on your own time.
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: How does technology impact identity?
Weekly Required Readings:
Gullotta, T., (2021, August 9). Identity Crisis in a World of Technology, in Veritis. https://veretis.com.au/identity-crisis-in-a-world-of-technology/
Handa, S. (2022, June 21). Technology and the Creation of Identity. in Discourse Magazine. https://www.discoursemagazine.com/ideas/2022/06/21/technology-and-the-creation-of-identity/
Weekly Tasks:
Class 1: The relationship between technology and identity. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Small group discussions. Come to class prepared to discuss what it means to be an 'influencer' and what that tells us about our society!
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: How does technology shape social relations?
Weekly Required Readings:
Turkle, S. (2012). Connected, but Alone? Ted 2012. [Youtube] https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_connected_but_alone?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Case, A., (2010). We are all Cybogs Now. TedTalks [Youtube] https://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
Weekly Tasks:
Class 1: Lecture. "What do you expect from me?" Technology, instant gratification, and instant alienation. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Option 1: Use classtime to have a conversation (You choose who/where/what/how) and then write about this experience, relating it to one or both of the videos we watched for class. This can be submited as IP 6 in your ePortfolio. Option 2: I will be available in our online classroom to answer questions you have about preparing for the Tech Showcase!
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Group Projects Due Friday before Midnight!
Weekly Topic: Guiding question: How can technology help support social movements and bring about social change?
Weekly Required Readings:
Little, W. (2016). Chapter 21: Social movements and social change, in Introduction to Sociology, 2nd Edition. https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter21-social-movements-and-social-change/
Frankfurt, T. (2020, August 20). How Technology Is Fueling Social Justice During A Pandemic in Forbes Magazine. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/08/20/how-technology-is-fueling-social-justice-during-a-pandemic/?sh=2f24f42f4c18
Weekly Tasks:
Class 1: Social Movement and Social Media. If you are unable to attend Class 1, it is your responsibility to get notes from another student. I do not share my notes.
Class 2: Wrap up and Final Consultations for Tech Showcase
Weekly Discussion Posts and Responses
Complete self-assessment report by deadline
Weekly Topic: Tech Showcase!
Weekly Required Readings: None
Weekly Tasks:
Attend both classes (MANDATORY). All groups should have handed in their group projects, which were due Friday before Midnight in Week 11, and should be prepared to share your project and answer questions about it in either class this week. If you are not present, you will lose individual marks from your Tech Showcase grade (See Tech Showcase for more details)! Attendance will be taken.
Weekly Topic: Tech Showcase!
Weekly Required Readings: None!
Weekly Tasks:
No class, but see Tech Showcase for requirements for this week. You must submit your ePortfolio to the discussion forum and follow the instructions for Week 2 Tech Showcase, or you will lose marks from your Tech Showcase grade. The discussion will be monitored.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES:
Your ePortfolios are due Monday at 8:00 am in Week 13 (Assignment in Moodle).
Your video walkthrough and a link to your ePortfolio should be posted in the Tech Showcase discussion forum no later than Monday at 8:30 am in Week 13.
Only responses that are posted before Friday at 4:00 pm in Week 13 will be graded.
If you chose Option 1 for Reading Assessment, it is due Friday before midnight in Week 13.
Please click on the links below to read about the requirements and deadlines for each assignment! The link to the Discussion assignment includes your weekly discussion questions and a link to the student discussion schedule.