Contact Information
Paul F. Marty, Ph.D., Professor, School of Information, Florida State University
Office: 240 LSB
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, By Appointment
The best way to reach me is by email: marty@fsu.edu. I make every effort to respond to emails within 24 hours; if I don't respond within 48 hours, please email me again, as your message might have gotten lost or junked accidentally.
This syllabus is available online at http://marty.cci.fsu.edu/ids2683/
Course Description
This course explores the societal implications and unintended consequences of information technology. It provides students the opportunity to explore how society's increased reliance on information technology has changed the way we interact with each other and the world around us, question assumptions about their use of everyday information technologies, and discuss strategies for weighing the pros and cons of the sociotechnical trade-offs we make as we work with information resources, services, systems, and technologies. The course will help students develop the digital literacy skills necessary to use information technologies effectively, safely, and ethically for the social good, make smart decisions about our shared future in the information society, and understand how information technologies are shaping modern society, legally, culturally, and ethically.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students will demonstrate the ability to:
- critically analyze and assess the societal implications and unintended consequences of implementing new information technologies;
- identify, discuss, and debate examples of how information technologies are shaping modern society — legally, culturally, and ethically;
- demonstrate knowledge of the digital literacy skills necessary to use information technologies effectively, safely, and ethically for the social good; and
- demonstrate knowledge of how society's increased reliance on information technology has changed the way we interact with each other and the world around us.
Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy courses prepare students to critically understand and use digital resources and technologies in personal, professional, and societal contexts.
This course has been approved as meeting the requirements for Digital Literacy. As such, a substantial component of the course is dedicated to the instruction, acquisition, and assessment of digital literacy.
The Digital Literacy learning outcomes for this course are as follows:
- Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
- Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
- Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically
In order to meet the Digital Literacy requirement, students must earn a grade of at least a "C-" in the course and also earn at least a "C-" average on the digital literacy component(s) of the course.
If the student does not earn a “C–” average or better on the digital literacy component(s), the student will not earn an overall grade of “C–” or better in the course, no matter how well the student performs in the remaining portion of the course.
Upper-Division Writing
This course has been approved to meet FSU’s Liberal Studies Upper-Division Writing requirement and helps you become a flexible and proficient writer for professional purposes.
By the end of this course, students will:
- Use appropriate evidence from multiple sources to illustrate how a chosen topic is relevant to a particular field.
- Convey ideas clearly, coherently, and effectively for a particular purpose, occasion, or audience representative as appropriate for the field.
In this course, you will compose as a process, including drafts, revision, and editing. The writing cultivated by this process conforms to FSU’s definition of “college-level writing”, which is writing that:
- presents a clearly defined central idea or thesis;
- provides adequate support for that idea;
- is organized clearly and logically;
- is presented in a format appropriate to the purpose, occasion, and audience; and
- utilizes the conventions of a standard language.
As such, this course requires the completion of two or more substantial writing assignments or the equivalent. Instructors will provide criteria for evaluating your performance on writing, feedback on your writing (including instructor response), and opportunities for revision.
In order to fulfill FSU’s Upper-Division Writing requirement, the student must earn a “C–” or higher in the course, and earn at least a “C–” average on the required writing assignments. If the student does not earn a “C–” average or better on the required writing assignments, the student will not earn an overall grade of “C–” or better in the course, no matter how well the student performs in the remaining portion of the course.
Course Materials
There is no required text for this course. Instead, we will read a variety of scholarly and professional articles each week, all available online or on reserve in our course management system.
Course Assignments
Please see the detailed assignment descriptions at http://marty.cci.fsu.edu/ids2683/assignments.html
The following list is provided for quick reference:
Writing Assignments (60%)
- Interest Paper (10%). Identify one aspect of how society's increased reliance on information technology has changed the way we interact with the world around us, societally, culturally, legally, or ethically.
- Peer Reviews of Interest Paper (5%). Provide constructive feedback to students on their interest papers.
- Annotated Bibliography (10%). Research and review readings or resources related to your chosen topic.
- Draft Paper (15%). Explore the societal implications and unintended consequences of your chosen aspect of life in the information age, and discuss the pros and cons of the sociotechnical trade-offs we make as we work with related information resources, services, systems, or technologies.
- Peer Reviews of Draft Paper (5%). Provide constructive feedback to students on their draft papers.
- Final Paper (15%). Complete research paper by responding to the feedback received, and wrapping up exploration of the unintended, unanticipated, or unexpected consequences of the chosen topic.
Participation Assignments (40%)
- Class Participation (16%). Engage in class discussions by making contributions to conversations in class.
- Group Explorations (24%). Discuss key questions related to class topics in small groups, and present ideas.
Grading and Evaluation
The most important criteria for grading are timeliness, completeness, and quality. Please complete all parts of each assignment, and please make every effort to present your thinking clearly at each stage. The effort you put into your assignments is just as important as the final outcome.
Assignments that have not been demonstrably spell-checked, grammar-checked, and proofread for absolute nonsense will not be accepted. Unacceptable assignments will receive a zero, and may be resubmitted only at the instructor's discretion.
Please note that all of your work for this class must be original.
If a situation arises where you will not be able to meet a deadline, please let the instructor know well in advance. Work submitted late with a reasonable excuse will be accepted at the instructor's discretion.
Percentage weights for each assignment are listed above. Final letter grades will be allocated using the following scale: 100-93 = A, 92-90 = A-, 89-87 = B+, 86-83 = B, 82-80 = B-, 79-77 = C+, 76-73 = C, 72-70 = C-, 69-67 = D+, 66-63 = D, 62-60 = D-, 59-0 = F.
Course Schedule
Please see the detailed course outline at http://marty.cci.fsu.edu/ids2683/outline.html
The following list is provided for quick reference:
- Is Google Making Us Stupid?
- Life in the Information Society: The Pros and Cons of Big Tech
- Smart Homes, Smart Devices, and Smart People: Artificial Intelligence and the Connected World
- Group Exploration 1: Surviving the Surveillance Society
- Surveillance Capitalism: If You Aren't Paying For It, You're the Product
- Group Exploration 2: Attention Merchants and Data Giants
- Unlimited Access to Funny Pictures of Cats: Information, Misinformation, and Digital Citizenship
- Group Exploration 3: Digital Freedom and the War on Misinformation
- Information Privacy, Anonymity, Literacy, and Security: Personal Rights in a Big Data World
- Group Exploration 4: Digital Bill of Rights, Part 1: Your Personal Data
- You Wouldn't Download a Car, Would You? Digital Ownership and Information Ethics
- Group Exploration 5: Digital Bill of Rights, Part 2: Your Personal Devices
- Welcoming our New Robot Overlords: Innovation, Automation, and the Service Economy
- Group Exploration 6: The Future of Work in a Boring Dystopia
- Who Needs Humans, Anyway? The Future of Humanity in the Information Age
SCHOOL POLICIES
Communication Policy
You are required to check your official FSU email account and the course management system regularly. It is highly recommended that you use your FSU email accounts for all course-related emails. Emails to the instructor must have a subject line that includes the number of the course. You should set up your email account so that your full name accompanies each email (i.e., emails should come from John Smith, not from js44f). Emails that include neither your name nor the course number will not receive a response.
Copyright Statement
Some of the materials in this course are possibly copyrighted. They are intended for use only by students registered and enrolled in this course and only for instructional activities associated with, and for the duration of, the course. They may not be retained in another medium or disseminated further. They are provided in compliance with the provisions of the Technology, Education, And Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act (refer to the 3/7/2001 TEACH Act at www.copyright.gov/legislation/archive/ ).
Sexual Harassment Policy
It is the policy of the University that its employees and students neither commit nor condone sexual harassment in any form. http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/graduate/information/university_notices/
Hardware and Software Requirements
A list of all hardware and software requirements for students participating in the School of Information (iSchool) courses can be found at the following location: http://ischool.cci.fsu.edu/academics/online/requirements/
Student Eligibility for an Incomplete Grade
Incomplete (“I”) grades will not be assigned, except in the case of exceptional unforeseen circumstances that occur within the last three weeks of the semester and your work has otherwise been satisfactory.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
University Attendance Policy
Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities. These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness.
Academic Honor Policy
The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University's expectations for the integrity of students' academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to "...be honest and truthful and...[to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University." (Florida State University Academic Honor Policy, found at http://fda.fsu.edu/Academics/Academic-Honor-Policy)
Americans With Disabilities Act
Florida State University (FSU) values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. FSU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities in a manner that is consistent with academic standards of the course while empowering the student to meet integral requirements of the course.
To receive academic accommodations, a student:
- must register with and provide documentation to the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS);
- must provide a letter from OAS to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type; and,
- should communicate with the instructor, as needed, to discuss recommended accommodations. A request for a meeting may be initiated by the student or the instructor.
Please note that instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from the Office of Accessibility Services has been provided. This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request. For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact the
Office of Accessibility Services
874 Traditions Way
108 Student Services Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
oas@fsu.edu
https://dsst.fsu.edu/oas
Free Tutoring from FSU
On-campus tutoring and writing assistance is available for many courses at Florida State University. For more information, visit the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Services' comprehensive list of on-campus tutoring options - see http://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring or contact tutor@fsu.edu. High-quality tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. These services are offered by tutors trained to encourage the highest level of individual academic success while upholding personal academic integrity.
Confidential Campus Resources
Various centers and programs are available to assist students with navigating stressors that might impact academic success. These include the following:
Victim Advocate Program
University Center A, Rm. 4100
(850) 644-7161
Available 24/7/365
Office Hours: M-F 8-5
https://dsst.fsu.edu/vap
University Counseling Center
Askew Student Life Center, 2nd floor
942 Learning Way
(850) 644-8255
https://counseling.fsu.edu/
University Health Services
Health and Wellness Center
(850) 644-6230
https://uhs.fsu.edu/
Syllabus Change Policy
This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advanced notice.