COM 310K - Communication Technology and Society
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Professor: Dr. Scott Sochay |
Department of Communication Studies |
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Office: HC 327F |
Spring Semester, 2024 |
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Office Hours: MWF 9-10 am, TH 8-9 am and by appt. |
Location: HC123 |
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Office Phone: (651) 638-6199 |
Time: Section 1: T, H 9:25 - 10:40 am |
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Home Phone: (517) 648-7759 |
PO Box 51 |
| email: scott-sochay@bethel.edu | homepage: www.bethel.edu/~socsco |
| Prerequisites: Laboratory Science (D) | |
| Back to Sochay home page | |
Required Texts:
Grant, August E. & Meadows, Jennifer H. (Eds.) (2022). Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals:
18th Edition. Technology Futures, Inc.
Standage, Tom (1998). The Victorian Internet. New York, NY: Berkley Books. (any edition)
Course Description
An examination of the impact communication technology has on communication and society. Evaluation and exploration of technologies such as digital media, the internet, and other emerging technologies. Analysis of the ethical and spiritual implications and applications of these technologies.Course Objectives:
Students will:
1. be able to analyze, develop, and use problem solving skills to understand the
implications and decision-making processes of individuals, institutions,
and/or governing bodies regarding technology;
2. understand how to evaluate technology - its risks, benefits, aesthetics, values,
and/or social and ethical implications;
3. be able to evaluate alternative responses to scientific and technological issues
before suggesting new courses of action or critiquing current or past
responses;
4. understand the background of specific scientific and technological
developments, as viewed from varied scientific, social, and world view
perspectives;
5. understand how communication technology shapes personal identities,
relationships, and society; and
6. understand the effect technology has on the communication process.
Learing Outcomes for a K course:
Knowledge
1. Understand the concept of technology and the means by which it emerges from scientific knowledge, or vice versa.
2. Define and analyze complex technological issues and their social, ethical, and theological dimensions.
Skills
1. Apply a rational research and decision-making process to choices about the use of specific technologies.
2. Apply mathematical skills relevant to the course material.
3. Pursue wise and ethical approaches to the stewardship of scientific and technological capabilities.
Grading and Expectations:
Participation is important and is part of your grade. Students are expected to have read the required chapters for each class session and be prepared to discuss its contents. A lack of preparation not only hurts your grade it also takes away from the quality of the in-class discussion and makes the learning experience less enjoyable for your classmates. Attendance is also a part of your participation grade. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will be reflected in that generally, three or more unexcused absences will result in a minimum one grade lower participation grade. The University policy on attendance can be found in the Bethel catalog.
Projects are due at the beginning of the class period noted in the course outline. Late projects or missed exams will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse such as medical illness or emergency. If you have a situation that may present difficulties in turning a project in on time or making an exam date the proper procedure is to discuss this with me before the due date. I'm flexible and understanding when students talk with me before an assignment or exam is due. I'm much less flexible if a student tries to explain their situation after the due date has passed. In short, if you think you're going to have a problem turning in an assignment on time, talk with me before the due date. The same also applies to attendance. Excused absences are at my discretion. I am far more likely to grant them when students let me know ahead of time (when possible) or contact me as soon as possible after the missed class.
Any/all assignments should be submitted in hard copy form. Any exceptions to this will be announced in class.
Student work will be evaluated according to the guidelines laid out in the Bethel University catalog. To receive an "A," work should be "exceptional". "B" work is considered "good," and "C" "work "satisfactory" and so on. If you have any questions about assignments, ask! If there are concerns about grading, the Complaint and Appeals Procedure can be found at: http://cas.bethel.edu/academics/catalog/.
Violation of honesty standards can result in denial or credit (U or F) in a course, as well as dismissal from the university. Penalties are given at the discretion of the faculty member, and offenders may be referred to the vice president and dean. (See Bethel University’s full policy on Academic Honesty in the catalog: (http://catalog.bethel.edu/arts-sciences/general-information/academic-honesty/).
The student will seek to resolve the matter first with the instructor or with the party directly responsible for the decision, and then with the department chair. (If the instructor is the department chair, the student should contact the Dean of Academic Programs.) If after talking with the instructor and the department chair the matter is not resolved, the student may appeal in writing to the Dean of Academic Programs. This written appeal must be received within three weeks of the decision. (See Bethel University’s full policy on Academic Appeals in the catalog: http://catalog.bethel.edu/arts-sciences/general-information/academic-appeals/).
Accessibility Statement:
Bethel University is committed to accessibility for students with disabilities and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS) is a resource to ensure students experience access. Reasonable accommodations are approved after an interactive process with the student and OARS. The instructor will provide accommodations, but the student is required to initiate the process.
Support for Multilingual Learners Statement:
Points will be awarded for the course as follows:
| Participation | 50 points |
| Small Group Project | 100 points |
| Large Group Project | 25 points |
| Wiki Collaboration | 50 points |
| Diffusion Assignment | 25 points |
| Blogs | 50 points |
| Total | 300 points |
Final grades will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on the assignments noted above. Accumulated points will be divided by the total points available (300) to arrive at a percentage for the course. Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:
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A |
= 93-100% |
C+ |
= 77-79 |
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A- |
= 90-92 |
C |
= 73-76 |
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B+ |
= 87-89 |
C- |
= 70-72 |
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B |
= 83-86 |
D+ |
= 67-69 |
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B- |
= 80-82 |
D |
= 60-66 |
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F |
= below 60 |
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Lecture Notes
Communication Technology Theory
Tentative Course Outline and Assignments:
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