Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - CMNS 353 D100

Topics in Technology and Society (4)

Tech & Social Justice

Class Number: 3031

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMNS 253W with a minimum grade of C- and one of CMNS 201W (201 or 260) or CMNS 202 (or 262), with a minimum grade of C-. Recommended: CMNS 362.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examination of the emergence and shaping of information and communication technologies in the digital age. Explores new media and social change between everyday life, social institutions, and various enterprises. Emphasis is placed on social context and relations of power. This course can be repeated once for credit (up to a maximum of two times).

COURSE DETAILS:

Technology is often heralded as one of the greatest engines for social and political change, even revolution. From the printing press to the Internet, we have been told that technology will usher in the “future” and that the future will be better – more just, more democratic, more equal, more efficient. But often, social change is far more complicated and difficult than these technologically deterministic stories would have us believe. So-called “revolutionary” technologies often in fact reproduce the societies within which they were developed. Technology can be a conservative influence in society, no matter how innovative it appears to be. Why do we attribute social change to technology when so often real change is the result of hard-won, long-term social and political work, rather than a byproduct of technological innovation? Social justice is about meaningful and intentional social change. It is about the redistribution of power born out of often very difficult reckoning with past injustice. Where does technology fit in this project? Can technology serve social justice? Under what conditions? How has technology operated historically within social justice movements? Today, technologies like AI and social media are held up by some as instruments of social justice work, but increasingly we can also see these technologies as agents of social injustice. How do we account for this? The social impact of technology appears to have as much to do with who makes, controls, and profits from it, as it has to do with the affordances of the machines themselves. In this course, we will explore this set of questions through both the theory of technology and social change and historical uses technology within social justice movements.

Grading

  • Tutorial Attendance & Participation 15%
  • Weekly Reflections 15%
  • Midterm Exam 30%
  • Final Project 40%

NOTES:

Students must attend both lectures and weekly tutorials.

The school expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy S10.01 with respect to Academic Integrity, and Policies S10.02, S10.03 and S10.04 as regards Student Discipline (note: as of May 1, 2009 the previous T10 series of policies covering Intellectual Honesty (T10.02) and Academic Discipline (T10.03) have been replaced with the new S10 series of policies). For further information see: www.sfu.ca/policies/Students/index.html.

REQUIREMENTS:

Tutorial Attendance and Participation                 15% of the final grade, submitted weekly

            Students are expected to attend their tutorials having accomplished the week’s readings.

Weekly Reflections                                            15% of the final grade  

            Students will be given time in tutorials to write a short, at most one-page reflection on the week, highlighting a question they have, a main takeaway point, or cross-cutting theme. Students are expected to show knowledge of the readings in their reflections.

Midterm                                                           30% of the final grade

            A take-home, open-book midterm consisting of short essay questions related to the first half of the course.

Final Project                                                     40% of final grade

            In the second half of this course, we transition from historical background to investigate contemporary social justice movements that concern technology. Students will do a “deep dive” into one such contemporary social justice movement or issue, and how it makes use of, critiques, or engages with technology.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be posted on Canvas the week prior.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.