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.
Trithemius, Johannes In Praise of Scribes
De Laude Scriptorum
Eisenstein, Elizabeth L. The Printing
Revolution in Early Modern
Gates, Bill. The Road Ahead.
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
Wednesday August 31, 2005
Introduction
to information technology
Assignment:
Imagine Life without Technology
Wednesday
September 7, 2005
The
world before printing
Research Assignment:
Monday,
September 12, 2005
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:
Wednesday,
September 14, 2005
Impact
of Gutenberg: Societal change and the protestant reformation
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:
Monday,
September 19, 2005
Facilitated Discussion #1 . Technology as a catalyst to change.
Wednesday,
September 21, 2005
Scientific
Revolution
Computer Chapter 1
Research Assignment:
In Class Activity: Boolean Logic
Facilitated Discussion #2 -Newspapers: What is their proper role?
Assignment:
Value 10% of semester Grade
Facilitated Discussion #3. Information vs.
Entertainment
DUE: Internet Assignment
Monday,
October 10, 2005 Columbus Day No Classes
Wednesday,
October 12, 2005
Assignment:
General interest periodicals past and present
Monday,
October 17, 2005
MidTerm
Wednesday,
October 19, 2005
Scientific American August 30, 1890 p127 (pictures) p132 (text)
“The Census of the
Located in the library stacks
Computer Chapter 3
Computer Chapter 4
Assignment:
Facilitated Discussion #4: Computer Technology and Business
Computer Chapter 5
Computer Chapter 6
Computer Chapters 7, 8. 9
In Class Activity:
Watch Triumph
of the Nerds
Computer Chapter 10
Assignment:
In Class Activity: Finish Revenge of the Nerds
Read Gates The Road Ahead Chapters 1-3 on Reserve
Computer
Revolution
Assignment:
Historical Abstracts/America
History and Life
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
Technology
and the Future of Business
Facilitated Discussion #6 Technology and Education: Friend or Foe
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
Wednesday August 31, 2005
Assignment:
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:
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.
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 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:
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:
You are not limited to the resources available at
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?
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.
Wednesday,
October 12, 2005
Assignment:
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
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?
Assignment:
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?
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?
Assignment:
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?
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
Eisenstein and Rabb on syllabus. No other reading required. Pass in 3-5 talking points.
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:
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:
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)
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, The Road Ahead Chapter 9 Education: The Best Investment (On Reserve)
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)