Sociology 460 is a three-credit, senior-level university course that is designed to encourage critical thinking vis-à-vis information technology. This course is designed to increase your understanding of technology, information technology, and the impact technology has on your life and our world.
Outline
Unit 1: Introduction
Unit 2: Theories of Information Technology
Unit 3: Information Technology and Work
Unit 4: Surveillance, the Panopticon, Facebook, Social Media, and the Mercers
Unit 5: The Deepening Divide
Unit 6: The Religion of Technology
Unit 7: Conclusion
Evaluation
To receive credit for this course you must obtain a grade of at least 50 percent on the final assignment and an overall course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Unit 2 Assignment
10%
Unit 3 Assignment
10%
Unit 4 Assignment
10%
Unit 5 Assignment
10%
Unit 6 Assignment
10%
Unit 7 Assignment
10%
Quizlet Exam
10%
Final Assignment
30%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Materials
van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2005). The deepening divide: Inequality in the information society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (eText)
Clark, A. C. (1990/1953). Childhood’s end. New York: Del Rey. (Print)
Noble, D. F. (1999). The religion of technology: The divinity of man and the spirit of invention. New York: Penguin. (Print)
Webster, F. (2014). Theories of the information society (4th ed.). London and New York: Routledge. (Print)
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 3, May 3, 2019
Updated July 15, 2021, by Student & Academic Services