Week 1: Thinking about Technology

Summary: This week is our introduction to the course.

Goals:

• Get oriented.
• Get to know each other.
• Form study teams.
• Ask: What is technology? How can we study technology? What does the future hold?

• On to Week 2, Writing

Monday, January 19: Introduction

We'll think about the following questions: How do we interact with technology in our everyday lives? What is technology? How can we study technology?

Assigned: 

• Introductory Survey
• Study Group Questionnaire

Wednesday, January 21: What is technology?

We'll refine our understanding of technology and begin to consider its consequences.

Read:

• Nye, "Can we define 'technology'?" (Handed out in class on Monday.)
• Tenner, Chapter 1, "Ever since Frankenstein."

1. What are the main point(s) of each chapter? (This should not be an outline. Try to distill a thesis for each chapter, or at least each section. What ideas tie it all together?)
2. Why does Tenner discuss Murphy's Law in this chapter?
3. What is one question about the reading that you would like to discuss?
4. About how long did you spend on the reading and your response?

• If your last name begins with a letter A - K, go to Blackboard, find the discussion boards for this class, and post your answers to the above questions in the appropriate forum. As a reminder, reading responses are due by 5:30 the day before the class meeting.
• Complete the Introductory Survey and submit your answers by email before class.
• Complete the Study Groups Questionnaire handed out in class on Monday and bring it back to class.

Friday, January 23: Does the future need us?

We'll discuss a well-known article by the technologist Bill Joy on the future of genetically modified organisms, nanotechnology, robotics, and the world. You will also have a few minutes to meet with your newly formed study team.

Read:

• Joy, Why the future doesn't need us.

1. What is the main point of this article? (This should not be an outline. Try to distill a thesis for the entire article.)
2. Why does Joy relate his personal history with technology in this article?
3. What was your overall reaction to this article? Do you find Joy's fears compelling? Why or why not? (Be specific; include quotations or paraphrases as appropriate.)
4. What is one question about the reading that you would like to discuss?
5. About how long did you spend on the reading and your response?

• If your last name begins with a letter L - Z, go to Blackboard, find the discussion boards for this class, and  post your answers to the above questions in the appropriate forum. As a reminder, reading responses are due by 5:30 the day before the class meeting.

Janet Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)