IST 144NInvasion of Technology from a 21st Century Perspective

3 credits · Information Sciences and Technology · Penn State

The Invasion of Technology from a 21st Century Perspective introduces students to the world of technology from a humanistic point of view. Students will embark on a journey starting in the early 20th century to explore technology and relationships between technology and society and what the varying theoretical and historical underpinning about "human progress" in respect to these relationships. They will then sojourn through the years to learn about the advances of technology for better or worse. Students will develop an understanding of how individuals and social groups shape and are shaped by technological change and how human societies create means for both social control and freedom, with a focus on ethics and morality as related to the use of technology and its resulting consequences. Students will also be introduced to the latest technology and current collaboration with other professionals. They will gain a better understanding of the historical perspective and the societal, political, cultural and economic issues relative to technology. This course is a multidimensional, interactive course, which allows students to explore the nuances of modern technology as it pertains to security, medicine, education, employment, treatment, military defense and social media. Students will create/invent a design proposal for a scalable and usable application that focuses on topics related to the humanities and social sciences, which may ultimately find its way into the marketplace. Students will also conduct an interview with a grandparent or equivalent to gain a better understanding of people's impact on technology and visa-versa.