Courses:

The Anthropology of Computing >> Content Detail



Assignments



Assignments

Students will write three 5 to 7 page papers. Toward the third paper, students will give a presentation exploring the social meaning of an artifact from contemporary computing not covered in our reading - e.g. the iPod™, Xbox®, or Google™ search services.

Paper 1

For this paper, look at Ceruzzi's A History of Modern Computing and select an artifact from the history of computing that we have not dealt with directly in class (e.g. early software, the chip). Use some of the theoretical tools offered in the readings so far (e.g. Schaffer, Edwards) to provide your own analysis of the social context of this artifact. You may do more historical research, but there is no need to go off the deep end; use your judgment and consult with me if you need to. Include a bibliography.

Paper 2

Use the tools of gender analysis we have encountered in this course (e.g. in Adam, Halberstam, Flanagan) to further examine one of the following topics: artificial life, race and computing, hacking, or gaming. Include a bibliography.

Paper 3

Write an essay version of your presentation on the social meaning of an artifact from contemporary computing. Bring in theoretical tools from throughout the course, including those you may have found useful after the date of your presentation. Provide a bibliography.


 








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