21A.500/STS.075 Technology and Culture
Spring 2013
image restricted to class participants
The "Castle Bravo" nuclear test, 1954.
Instructor: Kieran Downes
TA: Eve Wong
Lecture:
R9-10
(66-160)
Section 1: R10-11
(66-160)
Section 2: R10-11
(66-148)
Information:
This course examines the intersections of technology, culture, and politics in a variety of social and historical settings ranging from 19th century factories to 21st century techno dance floors, from Victorian London to anything-goes Las Vegas. Our discussions and readings will be organized around three questions: What cultural effects and risks follow from treating biology as technology? How have computers changed the way we think about ourselves and others? How are politics built into our infrastructures? We will explore the forces behind technological and cultural change, how technological and cultural artifacts are understood and used by different communities, and whether, in what ways, and for whom technology has produced a better world.
If you are interested in being in this class, whether you are preregistered or if you are still shopping during the first week, YOU MUST ATTEND THE FIRST SESSION.
Announcements
Commemoration event for marathon tragedy
Hi everyone,Many of you probably already know about this, but some of the students in the Introduction to Anthropology class this term are organizing a memorial event for this evening, and have asked the Anthro department to help spread the word. Please see their message below.
We hope you are all doing OK, and we're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Kieran
-----------------
Friends,
We hope you will join us on Kresge oval today (Wednesday, April 17th) from 5PM-6PM to come together as a community in the wake of the tragic bombings at the Boston Marathon. This will be a chance for us all to reflect on recent events and write notes of support to the victims and first responders. Chancellor Eric Grimson and MIT Chaplain Robert Randolph will offer their thoughts, and MIT Medical staff members will be available to speak with those who feel affected.
We wish you strength during this difficult time.
With love,
SMASH
(Students at MIT Allied for Student Health)
Announced on 17 April 2013 9:51 a.m. by Kieran Downes
For next week, and a reminder
Hi everyone,Since a few of you have had the same questions, I wanted to send a quick note about next week, and your papers.
First, reading responses are due at the normal time (Wednesday by 6PM) -- papers are due in class on Thursday morning. As the syllabus states, papers must be turned in to us on paper in class, and also uploaded to Stellar. And yes, you have both responses and papers due next week.
Second, as you're working on your papers, don't forget about the writing guide, the theoretical tools description, and the citation guide on Stellar (under General). Our Rapp reading for this last week also gives us a good model to follow for structuring our papers -- notice how she clearly states in each chapter what she plans to argue (statements like "I will show that..." and "I will argue that...") in the introductory paragraphs. You want to tell your readers up front what your argument is so they know where the paper is headed. Remember, too, that these are not opinion pieces or editorials -- they are based on an argument you can back up with evidence from valid sources (that must be cited!). If you need help or have questions, ask us!
Finally, a reminder: class starts at *9AM*. Everyone runs late sometimes, but as explained in the syllabus, making a habit of it will hurt your grade.
Enjoy your weekends!
Kieran
Announced on 08 March 2013 12:30 p.m. by Kieran Downes
A couple of announcements
Hi everybody,A couple of quick announcements:
- First, don't forget that in order for you to receive credit for your reading responses, they must be uploaded by *6PM on Wednesday evening*, per the syllabus!
- Second, as I mentioned last week, I have an appointment on Monday morning that will likely cut into our regular office hours time, so I will hold office hours this week on Tuesday the 5th from 11-12. We will go back to the normal Monday time next week.
- Finally, I though this article from this morning's NY Times was relevant to our discussion last week about using Internet-based sources of evidence for your papers, and might interest some of you:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/03/opinion/sunday/this-story-stinks.html?hp&_r=0
Hope you've all had a good weekend!
Kieran
Announced on 03 March 2013 8:18 a.m. by Kieran Downes
Office hours for next week
Hi everyone,Since we have one of those special MIT Monday's-classes-on-Tuesday situations this coming week, office hours will be held on Tuesday, Feb 19th, from 12-1. This will ONLY be the case for this coming week -- future weeks will have Monday office hours as usual. Enjoy the weekend!
Kieran
Announced on 16 February 2013 10:48 a.m. by Kieran Downes
