General Goals

The basic purpose of this course is to examine technologies from humanities perspectives. The humanities study written texts and other created artifacts, exploring the perennial questions about what it means to be human. They include literature, philosophy, the fine arts, anthropology, history and religion. These disciplines delve into the contradictions and ambiguities that are part of the emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. The humanities analyze and critique the various values on which a culture depends, thus fostering the attitude of mind that allows us to think about value systems, as well as within them. Through the humanities we come into contact with the human heritage and encounter the challenges of the future.

Course Objectives

1. To help students deepen their understandings of how technologies reflect and affect human values 

2. To explore our attitudes and feelings about technologies and to examine how those feelings and attitudes are shaped by various technologies

3. To increase student appreciation for their own and others' cultural traditions as they have been and are related to various technologies

4. To help students become more competent in the interpretation of stories and other forms of symbolic expression

5. To enhance student abilities to communicate and think about fundamental human experiences, such as those that people have with their technologies

6. To increase student thinking skills: to read, write and speak with increased analytical clarity and cogency

Texts:
Gary Cross and Rick Szostak. Technology and American Society.

Mary Shelley. Frankenstein.

Policies:
If you are sick or have a valid excuse for missing class, call the main switchboard and ask to be connected to my office. Leave a message in advance of your absence.

Grading:
Final grades will be calculated approximately as follows: 45% for the three exams, 10% for the interview paper, 15% for the  research project, and 30% for the quizzes and exercises.

Final letter grades will be assigned approximately as follows:

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person's ideas, work or words as your own. Sources must be properly cited. Please familiarize yourselves with the college policies regarding plagiarism, which states "Kirkwood students are responsible for authenticating any work submitted to an instructor."

Office Hours:
I will give you my office hours in class. If you need to contact me, call the main switchboard in Cedar Rapids and ask to be connected to my office. You can leave a message on voice-mail if I am not there. My home phone is 351-8029 (Iowa City).