H79.2121 Lecture 4 Credits
Instructor(s): Halsell
This course explores the nature of social activism and how the uses of technology as a primary tool has evolved within participatory media. Through case studies, guest speakers and research projects, students have the opportunity to learn about the process of different organizations that rely on social activism to reach their goals. Students are expected to identify communities that may best benefit from creative technological solutions and develop proposals on how best to implement projects which can meet their needs. Project groups are guided to construct specific process plans that can be successfully implemented into existing non-profit organizations. They are also encouraged to deconstruct existing activist solutions to determine which technologies are the most successful for social activism and which ones could benefit from modification. The course is both discussion and presentation based. All students are expected to participate in the discourse, exploring communities in need. critiquing existing projects and developing creative solutions. Texts include, The World is Flat II, Race, Class, and Gender on the Internet, Falling through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide, A Report on the Telecommunications and Information Technology Gap in America, as well as various works of film, video, and interactive media. Guest speakers represent foundations, non-profit community groups, museums, and interactive media firms.
