Cyberspace&Society


IMS 110: Cyberspace and Society	Dr. Triebwasser Spring 2006

Catalogue Description
Social, economic, and political imperatives of the Information Age. Examines the personal and societal effects and value implications of cyberspace from the perspective of a number of the social sciences.

Course Outline

This course briefly attempts to place the Internet within the general context of the technological and social revolutions which have occurred throughout human history. As such it is not like a computer science course, but it is more of a social science course exploring cyberspace.

We will study the history of the Internet and such topics as packet switching, protocols, distributed networks, and other computer and networking concepts. We will then explore how the various social sciences approach the Internet and such topics as privacy on the net, intellectual property rights, geographic information systems, on-line learning, digital music, Internet addiction, cybersex, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the "digital divide," the decentralizing potential of the Internet, concentration in the media industries, etc. During the semester, there may be a number of lectures by faculty members from various social sciences and humanities departments, as well as by some outside speakers.

Each student's performance will be judged on the basis of a midterm and final examination and on class participation which will be emphasized. It is expected that students will keep up with the reading whether or not a specific reading assignment is announced in class. Students will be required to present reports in class on some of the assigned readings.

Texts

Hafner, Katie and Matthew Lyon. Where Wizards Stay Up Late: The Origins of the Internet. New York: A Touchstone Book (Simon & Schuster), 1998.

Annual Editions: Computers in Society. 05/06 Edition. Dubuque, IA: McGraw Hill/Dushkin, 2005

Office Hours

Dr. Triebwasser's office is located in Room 010 in the basement of DiLoreto Hall. His office hours are from 12:30 to 2:00 and from 4:00 to 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and by appointment. If you cannot meet with Dr. Triebwasser during his scheduled office hours, do not hesitate to make an appointment with him. His office phone number is 832-2970, and his e-mail address is triebwasser@ccsu.edu.