UNIV 2350
Interdisciplinary Technology and Society
90% Hybrid Course: Computer Access Required
Spring 2010
Section: 26594 TR 1:30 to 2:50 UGLC 336
Instructor: Daniel Duarte
E-mail: dduarte@utep.edu
Phone: 747-7300
Office: Academic Advising Building
Office Hours:
Wednesday 1:00 – 3:00 or by appointment
Peer Leader: Sabrina Vargas-Ortiz
E-mail: svargas4@miners.utep.edu
Phone: 747-6143
Office: UGLC 214
Office Hours:
T-TR 1:30 to 2:30
This course will examine various facets of our interactions with technology as well as our
interactions with other members of society as we use technology. You will understand how tightly
technology is interwoven in everyday life and its effects in different areas of our lives. We will
examine this through a variety of readings and Discussion/message boards. You will work online,
individually and in groups to discuss and analyze a broad range of topics related to technology and
society.
This course will develop your computer skills and electronic communication skills. You will learn
how to communicate without meeting face to face, learn to think of technology in a very broad
framework, learn to build an ethical framework concerning the use of technology, and lastly,
examine how technology fits into a theoretical framework.
Participation in the many forms in which it is built into this online course is crucial to keep this
class interesting for you, your learning group of classmates and for the teaching team.
Course Materials:
* Access to internet and computer (high speed access is available on campus)
* All readings posted on the Blackboard site.
Relevant Websites: All the course content will be delivered via Blackboard. To access Blackboard go
to http://my.utep.edu/ and login using your e-mail login and password. You can access
Blackboard by clicking on the link near the top of the My.Utep Webpage.
You can view the syllabus, assignments, discussion boards, your grades, and other supplemental
material related to this course on Blackboard. You can also send e-mails to your fellow classmates
or to me through Blackboard – always remember to include an appropriate subject line. Please
note that you cannot use the Blackboard e-mail system to send e-mail to anyone outside the class
OR to e-mail me at my UTEP e-mail address.
You must get into the habit of checking Blackboard at least once a day to make sure you do not
miss any important announcements which will be posted on the homepage or Announcement
area.
Required Software: You will need the following software on your computers to efficiently work in
this course. If you are using a lab on campus, they already have the necessary software.
Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available free through UTEP at:
http://admin.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=1307 (for windows)
Microsoft Office. I recommend buying this if you do not have any word processing software or
slide presentation software. I recommend it purely because all the labs on campus have it and it is
inexpensive to buy at the bookstore.
Recommended: As you begin to collaborate on your team projects you may want to consider using
online software such as Google Docs http://google.com where you and your assigned team can
create and edit documents and slide presentations remotely and in real-time. Your Peer Leader for
this course and I are available during office hours if you are interested in learning more about it.
E-mail account: If you don’t have a UTEP e-mail account, GET ONE IMMEDIATELY.
 Go to http://getmail.utep.edu
 You may also call the HELP desk at 747-4357 (on campus) or 747-5257 (off campus).
Course Policies:
Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating is unethical and not acceptable. Plagiarism is using information or
original wording in a paper without giving credit to the source of that information or wording; it is
also not acceptable. Do not submit work under your name that you did not do yourself. You may
not submit work for this class that you did for another class. If you are found to be cheating or
plagiarizing, you will be subject to disciplinary action, per UTEP catalog policy. Refer to
http://www.utep.edu/dos/acadintg.htm for further information.
Blackboard System:
Blackboard is our classroom! Any inappropriate behavior/comments online will not be tolerated.
I reserve the right to drop you from this course if you use Blackboard to make inappropriate
comments toward other students.
Disabilities: I will make any reasonable accommodations for students with limitations due to
disabilities, including learning disabilities. Please see me personally before or after class during the
first week or make an appointment to discuss any special needs you might have. If you have a
documented disability and require specific accommodations, you will need to contact the Disabled
Student Services Office in the East Union Bldg., Room 106 within the first two weeks of classes. The
Disabled Student Services Office can also be reached in the following ways:
Web: http://www.utep.edu/dsso/
Phone: (915) 747-5148 voice or TTY
Fax: (915) 747-8712
E-Mail: dss@utep.edu
Attendance Policy: To be successful in this course, you must attend class during the first week,
when we will orient you to the online class and answer any questions that you may have. Class
functionality, assignments and activities rely heavily on your early understanding of expectations
which will be discussed in face-to-face class time. You are also responsible for doing all the work
every week. Exceptions will be made only for documented medical emergencies. On the occasion
of your fourth (4th) missed assignment you will be you will be dropped from the course. See the
following deadline policy, as a missed deadline is equivalent to a missed assignment.
Deadline Policy: All on-line assignments are due by 11 PM on the deadline date; Wednesday for
Individual Discussions, Fridays for Group Discussions and Tuesdays for Quizzes. Late
submissions will not be graded.
NOTE: “Deadline” is not the same as “Due Date.” Work can be submitted before the deadline
time/date.
Peer Evaluations: Each group will evaluate the contributions of their group members for the group
project. They will also evaluate the group members for contributions to the group discussions. You
also need to provide comments on why you chose to give that grade.
This course syllabus and reading list may be subject to changes as circumstances warrant. Any
such changes will be announced in advance to the class and will be updated.
Blackboard
Individual AND Group Discussion question responses
Individual responses should be at least 300-350 words. Group responses will vary according to
what individual members have posted. There is no connection between the length of articles read to
the length of your responses. Be sure to dissect each question as each question may have a number
of components which require a response from you.
Unlike other formal written assignments, I do not require that your discussion question responses
adhere to specific formatting requirements. However, please make sure to proofread carefully.
Grammar and spelling errors may impact the grading. One writing strategy to consider is to create
your entries in Word, which can be saved as you work on it over a period of time. When it is
finished, you can simply copy and paste it into Blackboard. Please do not use attachments in the
discussion area
I expect your discussion question responses to reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try
to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience.
Quizzes each Tuesday:
You will have a quiz each week based on the reading assigned each Monday.
The quizzes will be available Monday morning at 8:00 am and will be due by
Tuesday, 11:00 pm. The quizzes are timed and delivered through Blackboard.
Each quiz is worth 10 points.
10pts x 14 = 140
Individual Discussion Questions (DQ) each
Wednesday
Individual DQ responses should be posted in the Discussion area. You will
post your discussion response in the Individual Discussion area in the Journal
Entry area assigned to your name.
Discussion Entries:
We are interested in your ideas about the readings, not a summary of the
readings!
25pts x 14 = 350
We will grade your postings according to the following criteria:
Did you discuss the topic in a thoughtful way?
Is the argument discussed relevant to class discussion/readings?
Do you provide relevant evidence that supports your argument?
Wednesday Deadline: You will respond to the readings individually in
an online discussion board. The discussion board is located in Blackboard.
Each week you will write at least 300-350 words in your individual discussion
posting in response to guided questions that will be provided.
Group Responses each Friday
You will read what each person in your group posted for the Wednesday
deadline for that article and provide a response to their input by Friday 11:00
pm.
Group Discussion Questions
You will respond to the entries from each member in your team after the
deadline for individual Discussion questions has passes.
50pts x 13 = 650
There are three components to a group discussion response:
a. Summary
b. Questions
c. Critique
Participation:
7pts x 15 = 105
Participation points are determined by the meeting of deadlines and
submission of assignments as prescribed.
Technological Determinism Paper
100 Points
The Technological Determinism paper will be written independently to apply
the main theoretical concept of technology and society the materials covered in
the course. You will be provided a tutorial and materials in order to develop
understanding of the theory of determinism. You will also be able to take extra
credit quizzes based on the tutorial.
Final: Group Research Paper and Powerpoint
Presentation in Class
1000 points
Group Project: Each group will create a Powerpoint presentation on a topic
related to technology and society as it affects us in the El Paso region. Along
with this presentation your learning team MUST also include a ten page paper.
You can select any technological or societal issue on the border and look at how
technological solutions have been created to help solve problems. You must
also look at both sides of the issues and present the good, the bad and the ugly
sides of technology. Issues discussed previously have included E-money,
Government surveillance and homeland security, etc. Again these
presentations must be a critical look at technology and the topics
provided. You MUST have a bibliography (MLA format) in your presentation
and your paper. You must have a minimum of 6 references.
TOTAL 2345
A= 2106 +
B= 1872 +
C= 1638 +
D= 1404 +
F= 1403 or less
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Any posts submitted after 11:00 pm will not be graded

Each week I will send you an e-mail with your individual response points –
be sure to read this e-mail each week for feedback. Your group discussion
points will be assigned to you by our peer leader; your peer leader will enter
your grades in the grade book.

If you have questions about your points, questions must be asked in person
during office hours. If you e-mail me questions about why your grade was
low for the week, I will e-mail you back to tell you to come see me. Feel free
to e-mail me any other questions about the class, articles, projects, etc.
Schedule of Classes
(Subject to change at the instructor’s discretion)
Date
Week 1
1-19-2010
Assignment
Tuesday: Orientation to class / Blackboard
Wednesday: Orientation to class / Blackboard
Homework: Read the syllabus and take the syllabus quiz in
Blackboard by Friday 11:00 pm (1-22-2010)
Week 2
1-26-2010
Monday: Read 1. Online Learning. PDF and take quiz by Tuesday
11:00 pm.
Description: This assignment introduces you to concepts and
applications of online learning to orient you to the framework of this
course delivery method.
Wednesday: post individual response for Online Learning. PDF by
Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 3
2-2-2010
Monday: Read 2. First Writing Machines. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm
Description: You will consider whether technology = progress by
comparing technology as experienced by writer Mark Twain and
compare it to your own experiences in “modern times.” Consumer
technology will be examined specifically.
Wednesday: post individual response for First Writing Machines.
PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 4
2-9-2010
Monday: Read 3. Pencils to Pixels. PDF and take quiz by Tuesday
11:00 pm.
Description: You will look at a brief history of technology from Henry
David Thoreau to the present and begin to develop a definition of what
technology is.
Wednesday: post individual response for Pencils to Pixels. PDF by
Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 5
2-16-2010
Monday: Read 4. You can always look it up. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm
Wednesday: post individual response for You can always look it up.
PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm.
Description: You will examine cognitive learning and how assumptions
are made about how technology allows us to learn and process material
that we interact with. You will consider whether technology is being
used to adapt to the way we think and use the brain.
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 6
2-23-2010
Monday: Read 5. Work of the Encyclopedia. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm
Description: This assignment will look at how technology has affected
the economies and production of print material. You will seek to
explore how this has evolved to your current uses of online print
materials at home and at the University.
Wednesday: post individual response for Work of the Encyclopedia.
PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 7
3-2-2010
Monday: Read 6. Tech support Generation. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm
Description: You will consider how your own generation and perhaps
birth order places you in situations that force you to interact with
technology and others.
Wednesday: post individual response for Tech support Generation.
PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 8
3-9-2010
Monday: Read 7. Why I am not Buying a Computer.PDF and take
quiz by Tuesday 11:00 pm
Description: You will study generational/cultural factors that shape our
responses to technology and seek to understand your own biases for or
against technology. You will construct an “editorial” response in a
defense or rejection of one such bias.
Wednesday: post individual response for Why I am not Buying a
Computer.PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
3-15-2010 to
SPRING BREAK
3-19-2010
Week 9
3-23-2010
Monday: Read 8. Identity Theft. PDF and take quiz by Tuesday 11:00
pm.
Description: You will learn how to understand how pervasive identity
theft has become in our society and identify the role technology plays.
You will look at ways to defend and protect your identity by using
credit reports and applying defensive strategies and recommendations.
Wednesday: post individual response for Identity Theft. PDF by
Wednesday 11:00pm
Week 10
3-30-2010
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Monday: Read 9. Flying Through Code Space. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm
Description: This assignment explores virtuality and process that have
replaced primary human interactions. You will consider other processes
(such as banking) and see how it fits into the concept of “Code Space”
Wednesday: post individual response for Flying Through Code
Space. PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Week 11
4-6-2010
Monday: Read Edward Tufte: PowerPoint is Evil and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm (No discussion questions assigned)
Description: This assignment requires that you look at your approach to
the use of technology and education in the visualization of learning
materials. You will also consider how you will use PowerPoint in this
and your other courses this semester.
Complete online Resume activity with Career Services/Jobmine this
week.
Description: You will submit a current Resume and post it to the
University of Texas at El Paso JobMine. You will receive feedback and
real-world advice on how to create a successful job resume for use now
and after graduation from UTEP.
Monday: Read 10. Life after Cyberspace. PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm.
Description: This assignment explores how virtuality in its various
forms has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Week 12
4-13-2010
Wednesday: post individual response for Life after Cyberspace. PDF
by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Monday: Read 11. Cybernetic WalMart Effect.PDF and take quiz by
Tuesday 11:00 pm.
Description: This assignment examines the role of taxation on our
economy and on technology. You will consider how taxation of new
technologies and commerce may lead to consequences, intended or
unintended.
Week 13
4-20-2010
Wednesday: post individual response for Cybernetic WalMart
Effect.PDF by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday: Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Monday: Listen to Technologies Create New Challenges for Patriot
Act. MP3 and take quiz by Tuesday 11:00 pm.
Description: This assignment that requires that you gather information
from a non-text based format. You will gain understanding of how laws
related to security and privacy are linked to technological issues.
Week 14
4-27-2010
Wednesday: post individual response for Technologies Create New
Challenges for Patriot Act. MP3 by Wednesday 11:00pm
Friday. Respond to your group after you have read your group
member’s entries for the previous week. 11:00 pm deadline.
Monday: Read State of the Union Address - individual discussion
only; no quiz; post response by Wednesday 11:00pm.
Description – This assignment is an examination of the State of the
Union Addresses of Presidents Bush and Obama. You will examine
your position on public policy and technology.
Week 15
5-4-2010
Wednesday: take What do You Know? quiz
FINALS Week 16
Come to
Thur, May 13th,
class this
4:00 pm – 6:45 pm
day!
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Group - Final Project papers due
Group - Powerpoint presentations due
Individual - Technological Determinism paper due