DPLS 707fa12 - Leadership and Technology
3 credits—Fall 2012
Professor: Caroline Fu, PhD
Office: Tilford 225
Office phone: (509) 313-3488
Office hours: Please e-mail for an appointment
e-mail: fu@gonzaga.edu
Website: https://connect.gonzaga.edu/fu
Class dates: Sept 6, 20, Oct 4, 18, Nov 1, 15, 29, and Dec 6—Thursday 6-10pm
Course Description
Philosophical perspectives on technology in today's societies and the role of leadership in
enhancing organizations through technology are discussed.
"Energy," said William Blake, "is Eternal Delight." . . . for human use, of "infinite"
sources of energy. . . . We have two means of bringing energy to use: by living things
(plants, animals, our own bodies) and by tools (machines, energy-harnesses) . . . [and, the
third, human] skills or techniques. All three together comprise our technology.
Technology joins us to energy, to life. It is not . . . a simple connection. Our technology is
the practical aspect of our culture. . . . The energy that comes from living things . . . [the]
technology appropriate to the use of this energy, therefore, preserves its
[transformational] cycles . . . that never escapes into its own logic but remains bound in
analogy to natural law.
It would aspire to make each [agrarian] farm . . . by the use of human energy, work
animals, methane, wind or water or solar power. The mechanical aspect of the technology
would serve to harness or enhance the energy available on the farm.
The art of the commonplace: Agrarian essays of Wendell Berry (2002, p. 279-287)
Technology is one aspect of the accelerating change that leaders must embrace. Leadership
responsibilities in organizations will increasingly influence, and be influenced by technology.
This course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding technology. Change is so
rapid, any specific technology you learn about in this course could be obsolete before the end of
the semester and will likely be replaced by something newer, faster, and easier to use before you
actually use it. Therefore the focus of the course is not on specific technologies or applications.
There is, however, an assumption that since Computer/Internet technology is likely to provide a
foundation for some of the near future, everyone needs to have some familiarity with the
vocabulary, basic concepts, and current applications associated with it. The goal is to provide
everyone with a sufficiently solid foundation that they can then keep up with the technology as it
evolves.
The course is intended to reflect upon the content of nearly every other course in the Doctoral
Program in Leadership Studies. Technology can impact every discipline, but has special
implications for leadership and organizational change. The "Leadership and Technology Project"
for this course is designed to allow students to explore the implications of technology in her or
his chosen field while making use of technology instead of a traditional paper. Please note that
technology does not mean computers.
This syllabus remains under construction for the duration of the course. As a class we make
decisions about the contents of the class. You are invited to reflect on what you would like to get
out of the course and change the syllabus to ensure these issues are covered. There is an
advanced assignment that is due the first class session.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course the student will be able to:
1. Define selected concepts relevant to the technology.
2. Identify critical issues pertinent to technological change and discuss their implications for
individuals, society, and humankind.
3. Identify key issues relating to the ethics of technology.
4. Philosophize the role of leaders and requirements in environments being impacted by
technology.
Course Structure
Session 1: Introduction: Paradigm shifts, past-present-future technology advances, evolution, and
invention.
Session 2: Networks: neural/social, virtual organizations, emails, blogs, on-line communities,
and keeping up with the technology today.
Session 3: Data mining: innovation diffusion, thought, knowledge management, database, and
alternative technological models.
Session 4: Artificial intelligence: artificial life, robotics, expert system, cognitive power,
innovation environments, cyberspace, and singularity.
Session 5: Virtual reality: quantum/multiple-dimension realities, Human machine interface, usercustomization, future technology.
Session 6: Technological challenges to leadership: ethics, policies, security, and environmental
sustainability, future technology trends: biological, medical, nanotechnology, etc.
Session 7: Technology expansion and emergence: Café conversation on capstone project and
possible design.
Session 8: Celebrate learning—Presentations on Capstone projects.
Major Assignments
In addition to the regular session-to-session assignments, everyone is responsible for doing book
reviews, internet-surf, class presentations, and a final project presentation summarized in a
capstone paper.

Pre-course Reading/Writing.
Read Kuhn (1970) and at least 2 FastCompany articles of interest to you.
Write a 3-page report about your reflections on Kuhn’s paradigm shifts and how the
FastCompany articles had helped you shift your thinking regarding the use of technology
for leadership in the future. Please e-mail to fu@gonzaga.edu.

Prior to Session One: Post to Blackboard>Discussion.
Introduce yourself.
Identify a main point about paradigm shifts that resonate with you. (By the end of the
term everyone should have identified several points and commented on the postings of
their classmates as appropriate.)
Reflection on social (virtual or physical) connections you belong to, how you became
part of them, what is required to get the most out of them.
Begin to find articles in FastCompany magazine that would be of interest to you and post
notes and reflections to the Blackboard.

Book Review/internet-surf/Presentation.
Choose a topic for book or journal article reviews that relate to technology and
leadership. Suggest or add the new topics to the list in the syllabus. Present your findings
on books, journals, and internet-surf during class sessions individually or teamed.

Capstone
Project/Presentation.
You are expected to envision an unfolding dream technology (within the realm, ranging
from experimental- to well-established-concept of technology) that you hope will
improve wellbeing of human (physiological, psychological, and/or social) life. Design
and discuss its leadership implications and ethical/policy impacts or concerns.
Write a 1-page proposal describing your capstone project due, at least a day, prior to the
5th class and post it to the Blackboard in the Discussion folder. Present the proposed ideas
during the 5th class.
Note: Capstone projects can be individual or group project; while capstone paper should
be individual reflection on and contributions to the capstone project.
Assessment and Grading
Everyone who completes all assignments and actively participates in class can expect an A.
Students who do not complete all the assignments by Session 8, can expect an “IP” until the
assignments are done. Note that the IP remains on your transcript even after a letter grade has
been assigned. Assignment delays due to technology problems are understood and even
expected. Timely completion of assignments is critical for both the individual and the other
members of the class. Failure to contribute in a timely way to group activities will result in a
grade reduction. It is important to keep up.
Required Readings and Subscriptions
There is only one required book for the course. We will be making extensive use of resources on
the web supplemented by full text journal articles available through Foley and selections from
books in pdf format and available on Blackboard. Materials from books will be consistent with
Fair Use Guidelines.
Kuhn, T. S. (1970). The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
Visit www.fastcompany.com at least once a week and select articles to read and post leadership
and technology reflections to Blackboard>Discussion area.
Book chapters and journal articles for Session 2-8 will be posted to Blackboard’s Content area.
Optional: Subscribe or purchase monthly issues http://www.wired.com/wired/
According to WIRED, "Success is staying ahead of the curve. That's why you need
Wired, the award-winning monthly that connects you to the people, companies,
technologies, and ideas that are transforming the way we live. Find out what it all means
to business, society - and you - with this special offer."
Internet Resources (Please add to the list)

Technology Review by Massachusetts Institute of Technology
http://www.techreview.com/

FOLDOC Free on-line dictionary of computing http://foldoc.org/

WHATIS?COM An information technology dictionary of definitions, computer terms,
tech glossaries and cheat sheets covering the Web, Internet, computers and technology.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/

History of Technology - How did we get here, what matters, and what doesn't. Diffusion
of Innovations, Connections, and much more.
http://www.omega23.com/books/science/techhistory.html

Full length book reviews each month http://rccs.usfca.edu/booklist.asp

The Resource Center for Cyberculture Studies is an online, not-for-profit organization
whose purpose is to research, teach, support, and create diverse and dynamic elements of
cyberculture. While primarily virtual, RCCS's institutional framework and technological
facilities reside at the University of Washington where it is hosted by the Department of
Communication. http://rccs.usfca.edu/

CyberAnthropology This site is for the study of new cultures and communities brought
into being through "cyberspace" http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/cyberanthropos.html

Bibliography of Online Gender
http://www.geocities.com/jpmarshall.geo/cybermind/gender/gend-bib.html

Shocking Facts You Did Not Know A Minute Ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TKbIidbyhk&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Social media
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=3SuNx0UrnEo

Technological Singularity Explained
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=fehUKMTepd8

Ken Wilbur on the Future - Interpreting the Singularity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK4gevQ5uqg

Michio Kaku on the technological singularity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=LTPAQIvJ_1M

The Evolution of Technology and the Human Race
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcSzqm5Whwc

Lockheed Marting robotics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8RZXntjMKI

Philips consumer electronics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmczCOwx2zg

Renewable bioenergy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R91pTc_SRM

ASUS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTmzBsx6p_I

humor telecom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xDbfHYZy4k

Nanotechnology http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jqQxuVncmc

Wilbur on economic apocolypse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=1v7GCXw_50s
Suggested Books/Journals Articles
Aleksander, E. (2001). How to build a mind: Toward machines with imagination. New York:
Columbia University Press.
Aleksander, I. (1983). Artificial vision for robots. New York: Chapman & Hall.
Aleksander, I. (Ed.). (1989). Neural computing architectures: the design of brain-like machines.
Cambridge: The MIT Press.
Biggiero, L., Sammarra, A., & Dandi, R., The effect of e-mail use and adoption on
organizational participation: The case of a public administration (February 26, 2012).
Human Systems Management, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 27-39. Available at SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=2011349
Binmore, K. G. (1994 ). Playing fair: Game theory and the social contract. Cambridge: The MIT
Press.
Bohm, D., & Peat, F. D. (1987). Science, order, and creativity: Bantam Books.
Braun, E. (1998). Technology in context : technology assessment for managers. New York:
Routledge.
Brogan, C., Smith, J. (2009) Trust agents. Wiley. ISBN-10: 0470743085
Capra, F. (1982). The turning point, science, society and the rising culture. New York: Simon
and Schuster.
Collins, J. (2001). Good to great: Why some companies make the leap . . . and others don't.
HarperBusiness 0066620996
Drucker, P. F. (1980 ). Managing in turbulent times. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers.
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Building our sociotechnical future (inside technology): The MIT Press.
Einstein, A. (2005). The meaning of relativity, including the relativistic theory of the nonsymmetric field (Intro. by Brian Greene, 5th ed.). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
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Books. 0316346624
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Table 2: Outline of Class Sessions
Week
Pre-class Readings
Writing due
Class Theme
1st
9/6
Kuhn, T. S. (1970)
Pre-course
*Book chapters & journal
essay
Articles on Blackboard
Introduction: Paradigm shifts, past-presentfuture technology advances, evolution,
and invention.
2nd
9/20
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
Articles on Blackboard
journal
Networks: neural/social, virtual
organizations, emails, blogs, on-line
communities, and keeping up with the
technology today.
Presentation #1 Networks
3rd
10/4
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
Articles on Blackboard
journal
Data mining: innovation diffusion, thought,
knowledge management, database, and
alternative technological models.
Presentation #2 Data mining
4th
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
10/18 Articles on Blackboard
journal
Artificial intelligence: artificial life, robotics,
expert system, cognitive power,
innovation environments, cyberspace, and
singularity.
Presentation #3 Artificial intelligence
5th
11/1
Virtual reality: quantum/multiple-dimension
realities, Human machine interface, usercustomization, future technology.
Project proposal presentation (all)
Presentation #4 Creating future technology
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
Articles on Blackboard
journal
Special proj.
interest
proposal
6th
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
11/15 Articles on Blackboard
journal
Technological challenges to leadership:
ethics, policies, security, and
environmental sustainability, future
technology trends: biological, medical,
nanotechnology, etc.
Presentation #5 Technological leadership
challenges
7th
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
11/29 Articles on Blackboard
journal
Technology expansion and emergence: Café
conversation on capstone project and
possible design.
8th
12/6
Celebrate learning
Capstone Project presentations (all)
12-12
*Book chapters & journal Reflection
Articles on Blackboard
journal
Learning portfolio & Capstone project paper
* Journal articles or book chapters posted in Blackboard Course Document folders