IET 101-301-- Social Dimensions of Technology Department of Applied Engineering & Technology College of Science and Technology Morehead State University Fall 2012 Syllabus Instructor: Sadeta Sally Krijestorac, PhD Asst. Professor Room 309, Lloyd Cassity Building Department of Applied Engineering & Technology Morehead State University Morehead, Kentucky 40351 Email: s.krijestor@moreheadstate.edu Ph: 606-783-2414, Fax: 606-783-5030 Office Hours: Email, Monday and Wednesday, 2:00 PM 3:30 PM or by appointment Class hours: Online Textbooks (both needed): 1. Social Issues in Technology: A Format for Investigation, 4 th Ed, by Alcorn P., Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2003, ISBN 0-13-060257-4 2. Technology and Society, 3 rd Ed, by Hjorth L. S., Eichler B. A., Khan A. S., and Morello J. A, Pearson Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 2008, ISBN 0-13-119443-7 References: 1. Contemporary Technology: Innovations, Issues and Perspectives, 5 th Ed, by Market, Linda Rae, and Backer, Patricia Ryaby, The Goodheart-Wilcox Company, Inc., Tinley Park, Illinois, 2010, ISBN 978-1-60525-281-0 2. Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age, 4 th Ed, by Kizza, Joseph Migga, Springer Publishers, ISBN 978-1-84996-037-3 Course Description: The global community is being changed by technology at a rapid pace. As a result, thoughtful and meaningful considerations are necessary so that the use of technology reflects the shared needs and values of society. An understanding of how technology relates to society and how society relates to technology is vital if we want improvements in how we utilize our resources for society s future prosperity. The course will provide historical and current examples and information, as well as future dimensions of technology s impact on society. This course requires no specialized knowledge, but critical thinking skills will be emphasized, since students will be challenged to think about the implications of technology s impact on society today and also expectations for the future. The mode of delivery will be a mix of lectures by the instructor, discussion, case studies, and group projects. Maybe there will also be guest speakers. Topics to be covered will include; History of Technology, Ethics and Technology, Energy and Technology, Health and 1
Technology, and Future Impacts of Technology. This course is intended to be reading and writing intensive, in that, it will require close reading of collegiatelevel course materials to facilitate substantive learning, such as assigned reading and case studies as well as the production of 10 or more pages of substantive written work, such as essays, group projects (research), and exams. Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to: 1. SLO 1b. Read college-level critical, creative, and technical texts for comprehension. Assessed in Class Discussion and. 2. SLO 1c. Write effectively for a variety of target audiences using conventions associated with standard English. Assessed in Individual Project. 3. SLO 1d. Convey quantitative and qualitative relationships using symbols, equations, graphs, and tables. Assessed in Homework and Blackboard Discussion. 4. SLO 2c. Thoughtfully analyze and evaluate diverse points of view. Assessed in Group Project and Final Exam. 5. SLO 4a. Examine the history of the United States and explain the basic principles and operation of the United States government with a view to being a responsible citizen. Assessed in Blackboard Discussion and Homework Assignment. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have gained the following competencies: 1. Demonstrate their understanding of the history of technology in both written and oral format. 2. Demonstrate their ability to locate, collect, organize and present information from various disciplines in written and/or oral format. 3. Demonstrate the ability to use electronic media in order to communicate information. 4. Demonstrate the ability to analyze technological issues and make informed decisions both as a team or individual. 5. Demonstrate the ability to solve problems in groups and/or individually. 6. Students will develop an understanding of how technology is used to promote human potential. Course Requirements 1. Homework Policies: No late assignment will be accepted. It is impossible to fairly evaluate students when assignments are completed at various times, therefore I cannot accept assignments even after one day late unless there are extenuating circumstances that are allowed by Morehead State University rules, like immediate death in your family (with a letter from the funeral home), medical reasons (with proper physicians certificate) or a university approved function participation (with a University supervisor s letter). Each day late is 10% reduction from full score and this includes Saturdays and Sundays. The above rule applies to all projects, case studies, blackboard discussion board assignments and all assignments with due dates. 2. Exams: There will be two (2) exams during the semester and a FINAL EXAM. There will be no makeup exams. There is no substitute for any exams. Should a student need to miss an exam, the instructor must be consulted beforehand. Otherwise, it is not accepted and the student will not receive any credit for that exam. The only legitimate reason to miss an exam is death in the immediate family, a medical condition/s or an University event participation (all with proof See MSU Statutes on leave of absence) 3. Individual Project: The students will be given one individual project. This individual project will be writing assignment (paper) on topics discussed in class. Students will be required to demonstrate effective writing skills 2
in a logical manner. The individual project must be submitted on the specified due date. There will be 10% deduction from the assignment total grade for each day late after the due date. 4. Case Studies (Blackboard discussions): Case studies will be discussed as part of Blackboard assignments. The discussion of case studies will be done individually. These case studies are assigned as per the syllabus. Students are expected to demonstrate critical thinking skills in presenting their findings. 5. Portfolio: Students are to prepare a portfolio including all the assignments, exams, reports, etc. that they have submitted and for which they have received credit. This portfolio will include a table of content, a copy of the syllabus, all the assignments, exams, reports, etc. In addition, each student will write a paragraph or two evaluating the course, its contents, delivery, etc. and will add it to the portfolio. The due for the portfolio is one week prior to the final exam day. 6. Group Project: There will be one (1) group project. Students will work in groups of up to 5 members. Critical thinking is a key skill in such group projects. Team members will discuss and debate the assigned topic(s) and prepare a report to be presented in Blackboard. Each member of the team is expected to fully participate in planning, preparing, and presenting their report. Evaluation (Note: 90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D Below 60% = E) Activity Points Percentage Blackboard Discussions (5) 100 10% Homework (5) 200 20% Group Project (1) 150 15% Individual Project (1) 100 10% Exam 1 100 10% Exam 2 100 10% Final Exam 200 20% Course Portfolio 050 05% Total 1000 100% PTO 3
Tentative Course Outline: Week Topic Activities Assignments 1 Course Guidelines Introduction: Society s Influence on Technology Introductions Lectures None 2 History of Technology: A natural process Lectures Homework 1 3 Cultures and Technology Lectures Discussion 1 4 Ethics and Technology Lectures Homework 2 5 Creativity &Innovation: The critical link Lectures Discussion 2 Exam 1 6 Economics & Cultural Impetus Lectures Homework 3 7 Use of Energy Lectures Discussion 3 8 Ecology Lectures Individual Project (Writing) 9 Telecommunication Lectures Discussion 4 10 Population Lectures Exam 2 11 Market Forces and Technology Lectures Homework 4 12 Health Advances Lectures Homework 5 13 Technology of the Future Lectures Discussion 5 14 Thanksgiving Break 15 Technology of the Future Lectures Work on the project report 16 Course Review and Portfolios Exam review Group Project report, Portfolio 17 FINAL EXAM Final Exam NOTE: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate student and/or instructional needs. PTO 4
ACADEMIC HONESTY Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism or helping others to commit these acts will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in severe disciplinary action including, but not limited to, failure of the student assessment item or course, and/or dismissal from MSU. If you are not sure what constitutes academic dishonesty, read The Eagle: Student Handbook or ask your instructor. The policy is located at http://www.moreheadst.edu./units/studentlife/handbook/academicdishonesty.html. For example: Copying information from the internet is plagiarism if appropriate credit is not given. POLICY for ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS with DISABILITIES Professional staff from MSU Academic Services Center (ASC) coordinates efforts to address accessibility needs and class accommodations with instructors of students who have learning or physical disabilities. Faculty will cooperate with the ASC staff to accommodate the needs of students taking departmental courses. CAMPUS SAFETY STATEMENT Emergency response information will be discussed in class. Students should familiarize themselves with the nearest exit routes in the event evacuation becomes necessary. You should notify your instructor at the beginning of the semester if you have special needs or will require assistance during an emergency evacuation. Students should familiarize themselves with emergency response protocols at www.moreheadstate.edu/emergency. 5