Information and Society
Professor Kay Mathiesen
Section 01: MW 3:30-4:45, Bowman 203
Section 02: TR 3:30-4:45, Bowman 211

Introduction - Course Description - Course Objectives - Assignments - Texts -  Course Schedule

Announcements


Introduction

It has become a commonplace to say that we live in an "information society." Information has become essential to our social, economic, and political interactions. So, if we want to understand and shape our society, we must understand what information is and the moral, ethical, and legal considerations surrounding its creation, collection, and dissemination.   New information technologies such as the internet, databases, and computer surveillance provide new challenges to our ethical and legal understanding of such issues as privacy, intellectual freedom, and intellectual property.  Another challenge to our assumptions about knowledge and society is posed by the increasing concern over the protection and preservation of "indigenous" or  "cultural knowledge" (e.g., the cultural knowledge of native peoples such as American Indians, Australian Aborigines, and African Pygmies).   In order to use these technologies and deal with indigenous knowledge with intelligence and ethical awareness we must develop an ability to analyze, evaluate, and provide solutions to these challenges. 

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Course Description

In this course we will examine the economic, political, social, legal, and ethical aspects of information and new information technologies (e.g., the internet, databases, software).  We will also consider the ways in which indigenous knowledge challenges our assumptions about the nature of information.  Drawing on current reports on emerging information technologies and indigenous knowledges, as well as work by social scientists, anthropologists, economists,  legal professionals, and philosophers, the course aims to understand the key issues concerning information access, information privacy, and intellectual property.  Students will deepen their understanding of social science research and the impact of information on their own and other communities by undertaking a field research project and reporting their results.

Intellectual Freedom, Censorship, and Filtering

Topics Covered: We will discuss the right to freedom of expression and the role that new information technologies have in promoting or inhibiting exercise of that right. We will consider these issues in cross-cultural perspective and the cultural underpinnings of our attitudes toward intellectual freedom and censorship. We will discuss constitutional law regarding intellectual freedom. We will evaluate various policy proposals with regard to internet and access to information at both the local and international level.

Intellectual Property and the Right to Information

Topics Covered:  We will evaluate the political and economic arguments for intellectual property rights, by comparing differing approaches to these issues found in different societies. We will learn about the laws on intellectual property and "fair use."  We will examine the threats and benefits of new information technology to intellectual property and the right to information. We will evaluate various policy proposals at both the national and international level.  

Information Privacy

Topics Covered:  We will discuss the right to information privacy and the economic value of gaining access to private information. We will discuss the role of privacy in society and the threats posed to it by new information technologies. We will compare the attitudes toward information privacy found in different cultures. We will consider a number of policy proposals for protecting information privacy at both the local and international level.

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Course Objectives

At the end of the course you should be able to:

1. Develop abilities gained in Self and Society Tier 1: to understand other cultures, the relations between the individual and society, power structures, and globalization.
2. Think, read, and write critically on the topic of information technology and its impact on society.
3. Understand various social science research methods.
4. Engage in a research project on the local (college, community, etc.) impact of information technologies.
5. Appreciate the global impact of information technologies and the ways in which culture shapes attitudes toward privacy, intellectual property, and information access.
6. Reflect on various policy options and their legal, political, economic, and ethical implications.
7. Engage in rigorous and respectful dialogue on controversial issues.

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Assignments

First Week:

Reading Questions:  For each reading there will be a set of discussion questions.  I will ask students to share their answers to the discussion questions with the class. No late discussion questions will be accepted.

Portfolio: Over the course of the semester you should collect at least ten news stories (from the newspaper, magazines, or the internet) related to the issues in this course. Include the story and a one page summary and analysis of the story. You will be asked to share pieces from your portfolio with the class. 

Participation: You are expected to complete the readings before class, attend class regularly, and actively participate in class discussion. You will also be asked to share information from your portfolio and to present the results of your research to the class.  Frequent absences, failure to complete the reading, or failure to participate may result in a failing grade. You will be evaluated on the frequency and quality of your participation. You will also be evaluated on how well you listen to others (both the instructor and fellow students).  Students who fail to give respectful attention when others are speaking (i.e., who talk when others are speaking) will lose participation points.

Papers: You will write three short papers (2-3 pages): one on information privacy, one on access to information, and one on intellectual property.  Papers should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Familiarize with the  Writing Checklist before turning in your papers.  Papers with 3 or more errors will not be accepted. Link to Short Paper Assignment.

Project: You will carry out a long-term research project which includes library research and field work. The project will focus on one of the three main themes of the course (access, intellectual property, or privacy). The project will focus on the impact of these issues on the local community (college or city). You will write a 10 page paper that summarizes your findings and offers recommendations. Students will present the results of their research to the class and during a poster session to the campus community. A summary of the main findings of the paper and the papers will be linked to the course web site to provide the information to the wider community. Link to Research Project Assignment

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Grading Scale

Exam

10%

Portfolio

10%

Participation

20%

Reading Questions 

20%

Short Paper

15%

Project

25% 

Course Text.

Hand outs

On-line Readings

On-line Resources (Those with  an asterisk * next to them are good sources of news items on information issues.)

Sample Cases


·         http://news.findlaw.com/business/s/20040106/techpornographypennsylvaniadc.html

·         http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/high_tech/1700/1-21-2004/20040121100003_17.html

Streaming Audio Programs

On-line Tips, Forms, and Guidelines

 

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Course Schedule: 

 

§                     Readings

§         http://www.lcsc.edu/ss150/poster.htm


§         You can see some sample posters at:

§         http://www.lib.iastate.edu/ala/samp.htm

§         http://www.lcsc.edu/ss150/gallery.htm

§         http://www.lcsc.edu/ss150/1997aas.htm

 

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 This page was last updated 4/22/03.