How to use this Open Education Resource
This is a modular resource organized thematically that was intentionally constructed to be remixed, mashed up, edited and updated by educators. As much as possible, reading and screening materials provided are primary resources. I am indebted to many researchers, writers, artists and educators for informing the class challenges, activities, and assignments, and multi-week scaffolded projects. Every module will include: reading/s, screening/s and/or example/s of creative technology, discussion questions, and small group class challenge.
Although this iteration of the course is conceived as a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) course many of the assignments can also function in the context of a production course.
Course Description
This introductory course explores the evolution of emerging technologies and their impact on society. Students develop perspectives on the ways in which technological and societal change affect one another. Key topics include computing history, human-computer interaction, computers and culture, and the ethical and social implications of new technologies.
This writing intensive offers an introduction to the critical study of emerging technologies and their relationship to new media practices. Students will explore the historical evolution of technology and develop perspectives on how it will shape the future. Core themes include human and technology interaction, networked technology, speculative futures, systems thinking and techno-ecology.
In addition to examining theoretical concepts, students will be introduced to and engage critically with a variety of interactive, immersive, and new media works. Conceptual frameworks from the fields of New Media and Emerging Technology will be explored through class discussions, selected readings, curated screenings, and structured writing assignments. Students will investigate how technology intersects with ethics, culture, society, policy, and the environment. Through critical analysis, a range of topics will be explored, including AI, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, social media, robotics, transportation, energy, as well as Art + Emerging Tech history, multi-realities (AR, VR, MR, XR), vibe coding and the Internet of Things. Students will also create multi-modular projects – both individually and in teams – that incorporate best practices in game development and speculative fiction writing. This course combines lecture and lab components, functioning as an incubator for discussion, diverse forms of writing, and the sharing of ideas around emerging technologies and how they intersect with society.
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