From Gutenberg to Gates: Information Technology and Society

 

Heather Brodie Perry

Office: Library 109

Phone: 508-565-1538

Email:  hperry@stonehill.edu

M W 1:00-2:15

 

 

I.    Course Description:

Since the invention of moveable type by Johannes Gutenberg in 1454, information has been growing at an exponential rate.  The growth of the personal computer and the Internet has only increased the complexity of managing the information we are presented with each day.  This course will explore the history of information technology and its impact on our society.  It will provide students with the background to understand these changes and the tools then need to manage them. It will provide students with a strong foundation in research, and critical thinking, and oral and written communication skills. 

 

II.                Objectives of the Course:

The course is designed to give students an understanding and appreciation of the history of information technology and its impact on society.  The students will focus of the evolution of information technology and the ways in which information is gathered and organized. The students will gain an understanding of how information is organized and the various tools that are used to find and interpret information.  Students will increase their understanding of the different types of information available to them and the limitations and biases inherent in each.  They will come to a greater understanding of research techniques by utilizing primary materials. Students will perfect their oral communication skills with classroom presentations of the information they have gathered and analyzed, and their written communication skills with a final research paper.

 

III.             Teaching Methods

The instructor will assist the student in gaining knowledge about the subject matter and the tools used to gather information.  Students will be an integral part of their own learning experience in this course.  The pedagogical techniques will include lecture, discussion, research and writing.  It is expected that readings will be completed before class, and that students come prepared to meaningfully participate in class discussion. Students will respond thoughtfully to the questions posed by the instructor, and pose their own questions to the instructor and their fellow classmates.  In addition to assigned readings students will gather, interpret, and evaluate additional information that adds to class discussion.  Students will complete weekly hands-on research assignments.  The assignments will enable students to acquire advanced research skills, and critical analysis skills. The course will enable students to exercise their writing skills through a major research paper and brief reflection papers.

 

IV. Outline of Topics

a.       Gutenberg and the Renaissance

b.      Boolean logic

c.       Rise of Newspapers

d.      Invention of Radio and television

e.       Beginnings of Computers, ENIAC

f.       Creation of Electronic Databases

g.      Rise of the personal computer

h.      The Internet

i.        Intellectual property and piracy

j.        Prospects for the future

 

 

 

V.  Bibliography

Campbell-Kelly, Martin and William Aspray. Computer : A History of the Information Machine. New York: BasicBooks, 1996.

Trithemius, Johannes In Praise of Scribes De Laude Scriptorum Lawrence, Kansas: Coronado, 1974 (Selections on reserve)

Eisenstein, Elizabeth L. The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1983.(reserve)

Gates, Bill. The Road Ahead. New York: Penguin, 1996. (selections on Reserve)

Additional readings will be placed on reserve.

Students will be responsible for finding additional readings through library research

 

VI.             Requirements and Evaluation

Students are expected to participate fully in class and complete the research assignment. Using the materials discussed in class is essential for understanding the resources.  Grading for the class will consist of five components.

A. Class participation:                                                                   100 Points

      Students are expected to read and analyze the materials and make thoughtful contributions to the class discussion. Essential to class participation is excellent attendance.  If absence is required you may reach the instructor by email or phone. Excessive absence will result in a failing grade.

B. Research Assignments:                                                            150 Points

      Each week students will complete brief research assignment where students will use a library research tool and find a relevant piece of information on the topic at hand.  These research assignments will mesh with the assignments in the LC seminar. Students will also be required to discuss and write brief reflection papers on selected research assignments.

C. Internet Assignment:                                                                100 Points

      Use of the Internet as a research tool is pervasive in college, but rarely done properly.  The Internet assignment will provide the student with a greater understanding of the Internet, its benefits and limitations. Students will make use of evaluation tools to discover the validity of information they have found on the Internet. 

 

D. Research Paper:                                                                                    250 Points

      The student will complete the semester with a research project on a topic related to the course material.  A major portion of the grade will be based on the gathering and interpretation of the information, not simply the grammatical construction of the paper..

E. Facilitated Discussion                                                                 100 Points

      Each student will participate in one of 7 group-facilitated discussions throughout the semester. Students will select readings for their classmates to prepare for the discussion.

F. Midterm Exam                                                                          100 Points

G. Final Exam                                                                               200 Points

      The exams will include all the material discussed in class, as well as the skills developed in completion of the class assignments.

 

 

VII.          Learning Objectives

On successful completion of this course, students should have:

·         A foundation-level understanding of the innovations in information technology from 1450 to today.

·         An awareness of the important issues and debates about how information technology is impacting our lives and our society.

·         An ability to use books, journals and the Internet for academic research. An understanding of the indexing tools that help one find the best sources for research.

·         An ability to critically evaluate source material and compose an excellent research paper, fully utilizing all the sources we have explored over the course of the semester.

 

 

This is a tentative schedule of class discussions and assignments.  This schedule is tentative and subject to change. Additional Readings will be added.

 

Wednesday August 31, 2005

Introduction to information technology

 

Assignment:

Imagine Life without Technology

 

Wednesday September 7, 2005                                                        

The world before printing

Reading: In Praise of Scribes at Reserve Desk at Library

Research Assignment:

Primary Documents

 

Monday, September 12, 2005

Gutenberg

Readings:

Begin Eisenstein “Some Conjectures about the impact of Printing on Western Society and Thought: a Preliminary Report”

through JSTOR

Read Section on Gutenberg in the Encyclopedia of the Renaissance

Research Assignment:

Reference Books

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Impact of Gutenberg: Societal change and the protestant reformation

Class Will Be Held in the Library Room 116

Readings:

Finish Eisenstein article

Read Rabb, Theodore K. “The Advent of Printing and the Problem of the Renaissance: A Comment.” Past and Present No. 52 (August 1971), 135-140.  through JSTOR

Research Assignment:

JSTOR

 

Monday, September 19, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #1 . Technology as a catalyst to change.

 

 

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Scientific Revolution

Readings:      

Computer Chapter 1

Research Assignment:

WorldCat

 

Monday, September 26, 2005

Boolean logic

In Class Activity: Boolean Logic

 

Wednesday, September 28,2005                                           

Facilitated Discussion #2 -Newspapers: What is their proper role?

 

Assignment:

Internet Assignment

 Value 10% of semester Grade

 

Monday, October 3, 2005

 

DUE: Paper Proposal

 

                       

                                               

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #3. Information vs. Entertainment

DUE: Internet Assignment

 

 

Monday, October 10, 2005 Columbus Day No Classes

 

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Reading:

Computer Chapter 2

 

Assignment:

General interest periodicals past and present

 

Monday, October 17, 2005

MidTerm

 

 

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Beginings of Computers

In Class Activity: Watch Thinking Machines        

 

Readings:

Scientific American August 30, 1890 p127 (pictures) p132 (text)

“The Census of the United States

Located in the library stacks

Assignment:

PsycInfo

 

Monday, October 24, 2005

Early Computers

Readings:

Computer Chapter 3

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2005                 

ENIAC

Readings:

Computer Chapter 4              

Assignment:

Sociological Abstracts

 

Monday, October 31, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #4: Computer Technology and Business

Readings:

Computer Chapter 5

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Electronic Databases   

 

Readings:

Computer Chapter 6

Friedrich, Otto “Computer: Machine of the Year” Time January 3, 1983

Assignment:  

Lexis-Nexis                

 

Monday, November 7, 2005

The Computer Matures

Readings:

Computer Chapters 7, 8. 9

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

The Rise of the Personal Computer

 

In Class Activity:

            Watch Triumph of the Nerds

Readings:

Computer Chapter 10

Assignment:

Criminal Justice Periodicals

 

Monday, November 14 2005

Bill Gates and the Rise of Microsoft

In Class Activity: Finish Revenge of the Nerds

Read Gates The Road Ahead Chapters 1-3 on Reserve

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Computer Revolution

Assignment:

 Historical Abstracts/America History and Life

Monday November 21, 2005

Beginings of the Internet

 

 

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 Thanksgiving Break No Class

 

Monday, November 28, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #5 The Internet: The Library of the Future or Information Chaos

 

Wednesday November 30, 2005

Technology and the Future of Business

 

 

Monday December 5, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #6 Technology and Education: Friend or Foe

DUE: RESEARCH PAPER

 

 

Wednesday December 7, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #7 Societal Impacts of the Internet

                                                                                   

Monday December 12, 2005

Prospects for the future

 

 

Finals week

Final Exam

            Final exam will be cumulative and based largely on the reference assignments conducted outside of class, as well as lectures and readings. 

                                                                                   

           

 

 


From Gutenberg to Gates: Information Technology and Society

 

Heather Brodie Perry

Office: Library 109

Phone: 508-565-1538

Email:  hperry@stonehill.edu

M W 1:00-2:15

 

Research Assignments

 

 

Wednesday August 31, 2005

Assignment:

Imagine Life without Technology

You are a college student in the year 1450.  Try to avoid technology for a day.  When you must use technology, make a mental note of it.  Keep a log or journal as you avoid technology for the day.How big an impact does information technology have on your life?  How dependent are you on your computer, IM, cell phone, TV, radio etc in your everyday life?  How much of  your social/personal/academic life goes on virtually?  How did you adapt to being unable to use technology?

           

Wednesday September 7, 2005                                                        

Research Assignment:

Primary Documents

Johannes Trittenheim was born into a time of great change.  As the Abbott of Sponheim he created and presided over a great library of hand written books and the scribes who reproduced them. The invention of the printing press had a direct impact on his work and life.  He was also a prolific writer.  His work In Praise of Scribes enables you to get a first hand look at his world.  It also enables you to see a 15th century prediction of the future of printing.

 

In Praise of Scribes is on reserve at the Circulation desk at the MacPhaidin Library.  Read the introductory pages of the book for secondary background information. 

Then read from the beginning (The Scribes of Sacred Books are Commended) through page 21 (One Should not Cease to Copy Books because of the Printing Press).  After reading these pages answer the following questions:

1.       What arguments did Trittenheim have for the continuation of copying even after the invention of the printing press?

2.       Why did he feel that monks were well suited for the role of scribe?

3.       In the Chapter One Should not Cease to Copy Books because of the Printing Press he makes several predictions, how accurate were his predictions?

4.       Did his work give you clearer insight into the important role of the scribe? How?

5.       Do you see similarities between Trittenheim’s  attitude toward the printing press and attitudes towards modern technologies like the Internet?

 

For this assignment you will pass in answers to the 5 questions.  This assignment can be completed in 1 to 2 pages. We will discuss the item in class on Monday.

 

The purpose of this assignment is to give you insight on the role and utility of primary sources.

 

Paper Proposal

Due October 3, 2005

In this class we will be exploring innovation in information technology and its impact on society.  Technology impacts every field of human endeavor from politics and economics to religion and medicine.  Your papers will be only 10-12 pages so you will want to make your topic appropriately narrow.  The topics can vary widely.  You will want to choose something that you are interested in, perhaps something that combines your major with information technology. Potential topics can be as widely varied as:

 

                *Impact of information technology on the way we elect the president.

*How innovations in DNA fingerprinting have impacted criminal investigation and prosecution.

*Impact of technology on the guitar.

 

Do not select a topic simply because I have suggested it, but select one that is interesting and meaningful to you. Before you narrow down your topic do some preliminary research.  For this paper you will not only be graded on the paper you write but on the sources you select, so be sure there is adequate information on your topic. 

For your paper proposal you will need to submit a brief explanation of your topic, and why it interests you along with a preliminary annotated bibliography of 3 items.  This is easily accomplished in 1 page.

 

The purpose of this assignment is to give you practice in the skill of selecting and narrowing down a topic through preliminary research.

 

Monday, September 12, 2005

Research Assignment:

Reference Books

 

Reference books are excellent preliminary research tools.  They can help you get basic information on any topic and help lead you to additional sources on the topic.  In this exercise you will find background information for Wednesday’s class discussion.

Using the MacPháidín Library’s online catalog locate the Encyclopedia of the Renaissance.

Find the entry on Johann Gutenberg. Read over the entry on Gutenberg and briefly summarize. 

What was the impact of Gutenberg’s invention on the Renaissance?

At the end of the entry you will find a bibliography. 

Using the online catalog check to see which of the items on the bibliography the MacPháidín Library owns. 

 

Using the MacPhaidin Library catalog try to find a reference book on the topic that you are exploring for your final paper.  We have reference books on nearly every subject.  Go to the section and browse through many of the reference works you feel might be useful.  If you find any that you like make a note of it and we will discuss it in class.  If you don’t find a reference book that you would find useful for your final paper, try to come up with a hypothesis for the reason why.

 

The purpose of this assignment is to give you insight into the usefulness of reference books in research.  Many reference books will give you great background information for the LC roundtables.

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Research Assignment:

JSTOR

While getting your reading from JSTOR take some time to learn about this database. We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

What academic fields are covered by the database? How do you find out which journal titles are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better?  What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks?

 

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Research Assignment:

WorldCat

You are not limited to the resources available at Stonehill College when doing research. WorldCat gives you access to books available at libraries all over the country and at major libraries worldwide. We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better?  What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks? How do you obtain the items that are listed in the database?  What is covered in addition to books?

 

Wednesday, September 28,2005                                                     

Assignment:

Internet Assignment

Due October 5, 2005

Value 10% of semester Grade

 

To Pass In:

You will pass in a 2 page analysis of a web page that you would consider using for research.  You will evaluate the web page on the five criteria discussed in class and outlined below.

You will pass in a copy of the web page you are looking discussing (if it is very long, the first page is fine).

                Most of you use the Internet for research without really critically examining the information.  For this assignment you will look critically at the information presented on web site. 

You will pick the website apart and ask questions about the information presented. You will want to look at the web page with a fine tooth comb. You will want to be very critical of the article.  Don’t accept everything at face value.

 

You should examine these five critical issues when evaluating your website.

Authority

Who is the author of the article on the website? What are their qualifications on the topic? How do you know?

Accuracy

Look at the facts/claims in the article.  Question their accuracy.

Do you know where they came from?  Do you know if they are complete? Do you know if they are accurate? Look for footnotes and other evidence of where the information comes from?

Objectivity

Who is the audience of the Website?

What is the goal of the website, why was the website put up?

Did the author write the article to present research findings, to inform the public about a new program, to sway opinion?

Look at the language on the website.   What words are used to sway your opinion? What examples are used to sway you?  Feel free to circle words and examples and comment.

Look at the facts /claims on the website. Question the message they are trying to convey.

Is the author presenting a complete picture of the topic, or using selective evidence to sway your views.

Currency

When was the page last updated?  Is the information used on the page updated also?

Coverage

Is the whole topic covered?  Are all sides of the issue represented?

                 

To conclude you should be able to answer the following:

 

Is this a good website?

Is the information appropriate for use in an academic paper?

 

You will pass in a copy of the Website and the questions you had about the article, and the answers you found.  Feel free to mark up the web page in anyway you feel useful. For example you can use a highlighter to mark words or passages you feel are of interest. 

One of the goals of this assignment is to prepare you to look at websites critically.  Most websites are not appropriate academic sources.  Before opting to use a website in an academic paper you should feel confident that it is an acceptable source.

 

Monday, October 3, 2005

DUE: Paper Proposal

                       

                                   

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

DUE: Internet Assignment

 

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Assignment:

General interest periodicals past and present

In this assignment you will learn the differences between general interest periodicals and learn how to find periodicals from the time period before computers.  Using Infotrac General Reference center look for articles on the topic of your paper or a roundtable topics.  To look for articles published before the early 1980’s, you need to use a paper index.  Using Readers Guide to Periodical Literature, or another paper index in the index area, select a year and look for the topic of your choice.  How is using the paper index different from using the computer index. What are the benefits, and what are the limitations?

 

Monday, October 17, 2005

MidTerm

 

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Assignment:

PsycInfo

As many of you are students in Psychology and related fields PsycInfo and its sub database PsycArticles are important databases to explore. We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

What is difference between PsycInfo and PsycArticles?  Is there full text?  If the full text is not available in the database how do you locate it? How do you find out which journal titles are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better? How do you limit searches? Explore the cited references feature.  What would you use this feature for?   What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks?

 

Wednesday, October 26, 2005                                 

Assignment:

Sociological Abstracts

 

As many of you are students in sociology and related fields Sociological Abstracts and its associated database Social Services Abstracts are important databases to explore.. We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

What is difference between the databases? How do you find out which journal titles are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better? How do you limit searches? Explore the cited references feature.  What would you use this feature for? ?  Is there full text?  If the full text is not available in the database how do you locate it?   What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks?

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Assignment:

Lexis-Nexis                

Lexis-Nexis is a database you have used to get articles for your roundtables, but did you take time to really learn how to use the database?  We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

What fields are covered by the database? How do you select the field you wish to search?  What is the difference between the basic and guide search. How do you find out which journal titles and other references are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”? ?  Is there full text?  If the full text is not available in the database how do you locate it? How to you make your searches better?  What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks?

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

Assignment:

Criminal Justice Periodicals

Criminal Justice Periodicals is a database that may be useful to many of you with CJ majors or minors. . We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

How do you find out which journal titles are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  Can you limit between the types of materials included in the database?  Is there full text?  If the full text is not available in the database how do you locate it? How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better?  What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks?

 

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Assignment:

Historical Abstracts/America History and Life

You may have used this database last year in history, but take some time to discover the special features of the database. We will discuss the use of the database in class on Monday.  Investigate the answers to the following to participate in discussion.

How do you find out which journal titles are covered, and what is the time span of coverage?  How do you best search the database?  Does it have “controlled vocabulary”?  How to you make your searches better? Try out the advanced search feature.  What fields can you limit by, how do you do the limiting?  What are some of the best features of the database?  What are its drawbacks? One drawback is that this database is available in the library only.

                                                                                   

           

 

 

 


 

From Gutenberg to Gates: Information Technology and Society

 

Heather Brodie Perry

Office: Library 109

Phone: 508-565-1538

Email:  hperry@stonehill.edu

M W 1:00-2:15

 

Facilitated Discussions

 

Each class member will be on a team, which lead one facilitated discussion over the course of the semester.   As the discussion facilitator you will prepare discussion points, and questions to lead the discussion.  If the discussion quiets, your team is responsible for stimulating further discussion.  Feel free to call on classmates, as they are expected to have prepared to participate. Leading the discussion and participating in discussion as a class member will be worth 100 points. 

To prepare as a class member in the discussion you should select one item to give you background to participate in discussion.  This item will most typically be an article, but a book, video, radio or television program are also acceptable.  Some suggested sources will be listed under each topic, watching or reading these sources is NOT MANDATORY. For each class you will submit the bibliographic citation of the item you have read/watched as well as 3-5 discussion points that you have prepared to add to the discussion.

 

 

Monday, September 19, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #1 . Technology as a catalyst to change.

 

Elizabeth Eisenstein proposes that printing had an enormous impact on many aspects of Western society Theodore Rabb questions Eisenstein’s conclusions.  What do you think?

Do you see contemporary examples of technologies that have impacted society, or do you believe that societal changes cause technological change.

Required Readings:

Eisenstein and Rabb on syllabus. No other reading required. Pass in 3-5 talking points.

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 28,2005                                           

Facilitated Discussion #2 -Newspapers: What is their proper role?

Freedom of the press is imbedded in our constitution, our history and our way of life. In colonial days, many newspapers acted as a mouthpiece for a political party, informing the citizenry about how they should feel about a particular issue.  The idea of  objective journalism came later.  Technological changes, and societal changes have created many questions about of the role of the press. With corporate mergers of local newspapers, as well as cable news outlets, the Internet and blogs the news landscape has undergone many changes.  What do you feel the role of newspapers (television news) should be?

 

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points.

 

Suggested Sources:

OutFoxed (DVD)                              

Chandler, Jr. Alfred D. and  James W. Cortada eds.A nation transformed by information : how information has shaped the United States from Colonial times to the present (book)

 

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #3. Information vs. Entertainment

The lines between information and entertainment, once clear have now become blurred.  What is the role of technology in this blurring? As a consumer of information what can and should you do to differentiate the important information from entertainment? Does it matter?

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points

 

Suggested Sources:

Farenheit 911 (DVD)

 

Monday, October 31, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #4: Computer Technology and Business

How has the computer industry changed business?  What are the benefits and the drawbacks to industry, to consumers and to the country? What prospects do you see for the future? What is your favorite product, industry or service?  How has technology changed the product, or how the product is used, produced or distributed?  Think  about music, movies, or clothes.

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points.

 

Suggested sources:

Next in HighTech- On Point NPR (Radio Program)

 

Monday, November 28, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #5 The Internet: The Library of the Future or Information Chaos

Everyone says you can get everything on the Internet, but is this true.  Is finding research on the Internet the best way to go about doing research? How comprehensive is the information found on the free Internet?  Are pay services fair?

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points.

 

Suggested sources:

Digital Libraries –The Connection NPR (Radio program)

 

 

Monday December 5, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #6 Technology and Education: Friend or Foe

Conventional wisdom has long predicted that technology would revolutionize education.  It is seen as essential that schools at every level have computers and access to the Internet.  Some school districts have even gone to giving each student a laptop, and Bridgewater State College now requires each student to have one.  Does it make a difference in learning outcomes? What was your school experience? What does the research say?  Do students benefit, or do they play around on the computers?

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points.

 

Suggested sources

Gates Vision for education- Here and Now (NPR) scroll down to find the story

Gates, The Road Ahead  Chapter 9 Education: The Best Investment  (On Reserve)

 

 

 

Wednesday December 7, 2005

Facilitated Discussion #7 Societal Impacts of the Internet

Spam, kiddie porn, cyberstalking, online gambling, identity theft, copyright infringement, fraud.  Has the Internet brought society benefits, or problems?  Focus on one issue that the Internet has brought to society, good or bad.

Select your own reading. Pass in bibliographic citation and 3-5 talking points.

 

Selected sources:

Intellectual Property on the Internet and in Bio-Technology –The Connection NPR (Radio Program)