 Course Description
An examination of the pervasive influence of technology in shaping our views, values, society, and environment. The course seeks to develop an ability to critically analyze technology and the social and environmental influences and impacts of technology. Basic concepts of Environmental Science serve as a focal point of the course, leading to an understanding of the pervasive and value-laden nature of technology in our modern society and how such technologies and technological artifacts have changed our environments, our social structures, and our values. [prerequisite: Lab Science course]
Learner Outcomes (GEM)
- K Category Learner Outcomes
- Knowledge:
- Understand the concept of technology and the means by which it emerges from scientific knowledge
- Define and analyze complex technological issues and their social, ethical and theological dimensions.
- Skills:
- Apply a rational research and decision-making process to choices about the use of specific technologies.
- Apply mathematical skills relevant to the course material.
- Pursue wise and ethical approaches to the stewardship of scientific and technological capabilities.
- ENS305K Specific Course Objectives
- understand the meaning, history, and implications of specific examples of technology
- develop a deeper understanding of the impacts of science & technology on our personal lives and life styles and on the environment in which our lives and the rest of Creation are embedded.
- develop an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of technologies and to make wise choices involving the use of technologies in our everyday lives
- integrate faith and social responsibility into a balanced understanding of our technological society
Course Texts
 |
Monsma, S.V., ed. 1986. Responsible Technology: A Christian Perspective. Wm. B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, MI. |
|
 |
Tenner, E. 1996. Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences. Vintage Books, New York. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
McDonough, W. and M. Braungart 2002. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. |
|
 |
Orr, D. W. 2004. Nature of Design: Ecology, Culture, and Human Intention. Oxford University Press, NY |
 |
Assigned readings from current literature and other sources |
|
|
|
Sample Learner Responsibility Summary
- Attendance in the online environment on a consistent basis (monitored via Blackboard Statistics)
- Participation at least three days per week in an on-line technology discussion
- Participation in online group work and group discussions
- Completion of assigned readings
- Completion of 7 learning essays posted in an online learning commons and other assignments
- Application of your learning in an online project presentation
- Completion of a reading quizzes, midterm and final exam
- Completion of a midterm and final course survey
Course Requirements
| Component |
Description |
Active Participation
25% of grade |
Class participation is an essential component of this course. You will be expected to collaborate in our online learning community, attending, "listening", participating, and contributing and also by submitting thoughtful/informative contributions to our online Techno-Talk Discussion at least twice (3X) per week. |
Reading
25% of grade
|
Reading about technology forms a central core of the learning in the class. You should complete reading assignments during each online week.
You will synthesize your learning by posting a learning essay to the class Learning Essay Forum. In your learning essay you should demonstrate your learning by integrating ideas and concepts that you have found to be helpful from the readings, online discussion, and classroom presentation. Once per week a focus question will be posted to the Learning Essay Forum. After completing the week's reading assignments, you will write your learning essay as an informed response/reaction to the question in which you clearly document how the reading has helped you to an understanding of the concepts involved. You must complete 7 acceptable learning essays (1 every other week). Additional may be completed for extra credit. |
Technology Integration Project
25% of grade |
A Technology Integration Project will allow you to apply and integrate your learning to a specific technology, by examining the historical, societal, environmental, and future implications of the technology. In these projects you will develop an online unit that will be help the class come to an integral understanding of your chosen specific technology or technology concept. Your project will be presented to the class online.
- One page project synopsis submitted by February 19
- Projects will be scheduled for online presentation beginning week 10.
|
Assessment & Evaluation
25% of grade |
- Completion of quizzes, midterm and final exam
- Completion of a thoughtful and honest one page midterm and a final self-evaluation of your contribution to and effort in the class.
- Completion of a midterm and final course survey
|
Online Course Policies
Policy |
Description |
| Account & email |
|
Participation |
Participation is required. In the on-line environment, participation is even more crucial than in a face-to-face classroom. You should be be spending no less than 9 hours/week on this course. Completing the reading, participating in the on-line discussion on a consistent basis, collaborating with your netmates (on-line classmates), and completing all assignments in a timely manner are all participation components. |
Assignments |
Assignments must be completed by the due date. Falling behind is not an option in an on-line course and is too often cited as the prime reason for not completing on-line courses. |
Honesty |
The Bethel policies on academic honesty and computer integrity apply to this course. |
Accessibility |
Students who wish to request disability-related accommodations for a course should talk with the instructor as soon as possible at the beginning of the course. Most accommodations are arranged through the office of Disability Services. For more information visit the Disability Services website at http://www.bethel.edu/disability/ |
Respect |
Diversity is an integral component of the created order and this is what makes life as a human so interesting. In an online environment, diversity will show up mainly in diversity of ideas and technical capabilities. Everyone in the class should feel willing and able to contribute their ideas and abilities to the course and everyone else should respect those ideas and abilities even if they may disagree or have different abilities. Standard netiquette should be used equivalent to what you would use in face to face conversations, discussions, and classrooms. |
Problems |
Any problems or complaints that you have either about the course or the instructor should be handled in the following manner. (1) Communicate your concern clearly to the instructor as a first step. (2) If you are not satisfied with the instructor's resolution of your concern, talk to Dr. Teresa DeGolier , Chair of the Biology Department. (3) If you are still not satisfied, then you should make an appointment to communicate your concerns to Dr. Deb Harless, Dean of Academic Affairs. If this procedure is not followed, the rights and freedoms of both the instructor and student are potentially violated. |
HELP |
- Bethel Information Technology Services staffs a help desk that can be reached via phone (651-638-6500) and email (stu-helpdesk@bethel.edu).
- Information about your Bethel Account (set up and preferences) can be found at https://directory.bethel.edu/account.
- Help for common Blackboard questions can be found using the help button in Blackboard (http://www.bethel.edu/its/is/teaching-technology/blackboard/).
- Help for other technology can be found on-line in the ITS knowledge base at http://kb.its.bethel.edu or in person at the Information Commons Learning Technology desk in the University Library.
- Contact your instructor (r-kistler@bethel.edu) Since this is an online course, I request that you use email as the preferred communication tool. I can be contacted via phone at 651-638-6313 - leave a voice mail and number if I am not in when you call, but you should reserve this for last resort emergency communication only.
|
|
