Information in Society

CIS 105 Seminar Syllabus
Instructor: Bret Peterson, Ph.D.
Email: bret.peterson@earthlink.net
Ph: 925-631-4929
Office: GAL 318
Meeting Times:
W 11:00am-noon, F 9:30-10:30am (as scheduled - 20 meetings)

Meeting 1: SLoI - Preface, Ch. 1
Meeting 2: SLoI - Ch. 2
Meeting 3: SLoI - Ch. 3
Meeting 4: SLoI - Ch. 4
Meeting 5: SLoI - Ch. 5
Meeting 6: SLoI - Ch. 6
Meeting 7: SLoI - Ch. 7
Meeting 8: SLoI - Ch. 8
Meeting 9: DatM - Preface, Ch. 1
Meeting 10: DatM - Ch. 2
Meeting 11: DatM - Ch. 3
Meeting 12: DatM - Ch. 4
Meeting 13: DatM - Ch. 5
Meeting 14: DatM - Ch. 6
Meeting 15: DatM - Ch. 7
Meeting 16: DatM - Ch. 8
Meeting 17: DatM - Ch. 9
Meeting 18: DatM - Ch. 10
Meeting 19: DatM - Ch. 11
Meeting 20: DatM - Ch. 12

Office Hours: MWF 9:30-10:30am
Grading: 70% Discussion
30% Final Paper
Readings: The Social Life of Information
J. Brown, P. Duguid

Darwin among the Machines
G. Dyson

Overview: The purpose of this course is to explore the effects of information and information technology on individuals, the work place, and society in general. The readings provide two very different viewpoints on this complex topic.

The final paper should explain how a specific area that the student is interested in fits or does not fit the ideas postulated in the two books. The student should make use of resources including but not restricted to additional books, web sites, and interviews.