Syllabus/Schedule
In this program we will explore the idea of working with computers. This means coming to terms with the ways we, as individuals, work with computers -- often all day, every day -- in order to complete the "work" that we get paid to do. We will also look at how computers are helping to change the nature of work in our society. What are the benefits or disadvantages? For whom? Does the "computer revolution" affect everyone equally? How does the "network society" re-orient employment and unemployment worldwide, and how does it affect global trade and communication? We will examine the idea of working with computers from the points of view of social critics, educators, technological and business optimists, and those from "on the ground" -- workers themselves.
Faculty
Doug Schuler
E-mail: dschuler@evergreen.edu Office L1608 Mail stop: L3220
Evergreen telephone (Wednesdays only) 866-6000 x 6704; Home office telephone 206-634-0752.
Office hours: Wednesday TBA
Sarah Ryan
E-mail : sarahr@igc.org Office L2108 Mail stop: L3220 Telephone 866-6000 x 6720
Office hours: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and by arrangement
Basic Class Activities
Web crossing discussions are a formal part of the class. You should plan to spend 2 hours per week both reading others' contributions and writing your own and your responses. Post your first contribution on the topic by Monday, noon, and a response to someone else's contribution by Tuesday noon. This is a good way to get a head start on seminars, so read others' responses before classes on Wednesdays.
Each student will participate in a group project with
two - five other students. This project is intended to help students
develop team, research, performance, and writing skills as well
as general and specific knowledge about working with computers
-- and its relation to society. Each team will present their project
on the last Saturday or
the last Wednesday of class. We will be very flexible as to what
constitutes an acceptable project. Techniques include...
Each student will improve their computing literacy this quarter This module is intended to help students develop: computing skills in addition to increased computing confidence, competence, independence and judgment. As with other assignments this quarter we encourage you to integrate this with other program work and with your personal needs and interests. Due to the wide diversity of student skill levels and interests there are many ways to go about meeting the requirements of the computing literacy module. Because of this students will to take additional responsibility for determining which directions this will go. For many students this might mean working on computing and web fundamentals (see below), teaching, or more advanced techniques. Please note that this module can be linked to group, individual, or other WWC work this quarter.
Books/Readings
The Electronic Sweatshop: How Computers Are Transforming the Office of the Future into the Factory of the Past, by Barbara Garson, Penguin, 1989.
Labor and Monopoly Capital: The Degradation of Work in the Twentieth Century, by Harry Braverman, John B. Foster, Monthly Review Press, 1998.
A Reader of print articles, available in The Evergreen State College bookstore.
A Hypertext Reader of web-published articles available on the class home page.
Schedule (some readings and activities may be added)
| Date | Activities | Readings completed by now | What's due? |
|
Wednesday, September 29 |
Introductions of class members and faculty, tour of computer facilities, digital class pictures, and film, "Clockwork." | nada | nada |
| Saturday, October 2 |
Introduction to the Internet and Web crossing Workshop: Taylorism Seminar on Sirianni/Kling Project connections time |
"The Service Society and the Changing Experience of Work," by Cameron Lynne MacDonald and Carmen Sirianni (in Reader) and Rob Kling article on the web page | nada |
| Wednesday, October 6 | NO CLASS This gives you a chance to attend some of the Part Time studies workshops being held that evening. All half time program participants must attend two of these workshops. | Garson, The Electronic Sweatshop | Computer Literacy Plan. In faculty mail boxes, L3220, mail or e-mail |
| Wednesday, October 13 |
Seminar: Garson and Braverman Guest speaker from Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (tentative) |
Braverman, Labor and Monopoly Capital Intro through page 95. | 2-3 page review of Garson. |
| Wednesday, October 20 |
Skills workshops Film, "The Global Assembly Line |
Malone, Meikins and Dawson & Foster articles in the reader, Sally Lerner and Doug Schuler articles on web. | f |
| Saturday, October 23 | Special weekend on Trade, Labor, the Environment and the World Trade Organization. Project meetings. | Braverman, p. 96 to end. | f |
| Wednesday, October 27 | Skills workshops, Seminar on Globalism articles. | Web Articles: "Keeping the Lid On," Susan George article, Antiglobalization article. | Project outline |
| Wednesday, November 3 | Workshop on Participatory Design | Participatory Design articles in reader (from PDC) | Review of BravermanComputer Literacy progress report |
| Wednesday, November 10 |
Seminar on CSCW Skills workshops |
Reading: CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) articles in reader and Schuler and Grudin articles on Web page. | |
| Wednesday, November 17 | Guest speakers. Seminar on education articles | Education articles on the web page | |
| Wednesday, November 24 | No Class for Thanksgiving week | ||
| Saturday, December 4 | Guest speakers, student group presentations | Projects | |
| Wednesday December 8 | Final presentations, potluck, evaluation of class |
Projects, Computer literacy summary.
|