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Class meets in RC228B

Why Technology "Bites Back":

Introduction to Course Technology

Objectives:

• Examine why we as humans typically embrace change without looking to see.
• Learn categories of "revenge effects"
• See as an example how human health has been impacted by "unintended consequences.
• Learn the technology you will need to succeed in the course
• Begin thinking about your course project

• Tenner: Why Things Bite Back - Chapter 1 -3, pages 3 - 90
• Rusch, Kristine K. 2000 Results. Asimov's Science Fiction 24(3):35-40. (Blackboard E-reading)

1. Read all the readings
2. Post your Introduction Assignment on or before Wednesday Nov. 2 (You can do this during the first class or before).
3. Post Focus Response 1 on or before Nov. 5 in the Discussion Board area of Blackboard.
4. Visit the online TechnoTalk Discussion forum and Post a message at least two days during the week.

Class meets in RC228B

Visions of Technology: How Should We Define and Evaluate Technology?
Part I: Defining
Part II: Models

Objectives:

• Define Technology
• Examine how worldview influences a definition of technology
• Examine two or more models for examining and evaluating technology
  • risk models
  • normative models
  • other models

• Monsma: Responsible Technology, Chapters 1 - 6, pages 1 - 102
• Read at least two of the following: Bb E-Readings Link
  • Slovic, P. 1987. Perception of risk. Science. 236:280-285(Blackboard E-reading)
  • 1996. A fistful of risks. (risk statistics) Discover. 17(5):82-83. (Blackboard E-reading)
  • Kluger, J. 1996. Risky business (risks of everyday hazards). Discover. 17(5):44-47 (Blackboard E-reading)
  • Patton, D. 1993. The ABCs of Risk Assessment. EPA Journal 19(1):10-15
  • Scheuplein, R.J. 1993. Uncertainty and the "Flavors" of Risk. EPA Journal 19(1):16-17

1. Read all the readings prior to coming to the class
2. Post Focus Response 2 on or before Nov. 12.
3. Visit the online TechnoTalk Discussion forum and Post a message at least two days during the week.

3

Class meets in RC228B

The Environmental Revolution: How We Have Changed our Environment and How this Might Change Us.

Objectives:

• Compare how humans have related to the environment in different ways throught history.
• Consider different examples of the impact we have had on our environment, which in turn impacts us.

• Tenner: Why Things Bite Back - Chapters 4 - 7
• Kellert & Farnham: The Good in Nature and Humanity - read at least Chapters 1 - 4, 9, 14, 15
• Monsma: Responsible Technology, Chapter 7

1. Read all the readings prior to coming to the class
2. Post Focus Response 3 on or before Nov. 19.
3. Visit the online TechnoTalk Discussion forum and Post a message at least two days during the week.
4. Keep a transportation log for a week Nov 12 - 18 and include the log and your findings in your focus essay.
5. Submit Project Synopsis by NOV. 21.

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E

This class session is on-line.

The Cyber Revolution: How Global Technologies Might Change the Community and Ourselves

Objectives:

• Understand how virtual technologies have changed the way we see the world.
• Examine how personal relationships are modified by technology
• Think about the way our spiritual being is impacted by technology,

• Groothius, The Soul in CyberSpace (Read the whole book pages 9 - 164)
• Tenner: Why Things Bite Back - Chapters 8 & 9
• Talbot: Why is the Moon Getting Further Away(Blackboard E-reading) Bb E-Readings Link

1. Read all the readings
2. Listen to the online lecture
3. Select a topic (ASAP) by Monday Nov. 28 and contribute a review/overview of a cybertechnology/concept by Wednesday Nov. 30 p.m. as your contribution to our cyberclass.
4. Post Focus Response 4 on or before Dec 3 p.m.
5. Visit the online TechnoTalk Discussion forum and Post a message at least THREE days during the week.

D

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Class meets in RC228B

The Technological Revolution: Can we develop responsible technology on a global scale? Case Studies and Conclusions

Objectives:

• Understand shalom, sustainability, responsibility, and other norms that might lead toward a just understanding, development, and use of technology.
• Participants present examples/cases of technology developed as a course project

• Monsma: Responsible Technology, Chapers 9-12
• Tenner: Why Things Bite Back - Chapter12
• Rabbi Arthur Waskow 2000. Radical Shabbat: Free Time, Free People. Sojourners 29(3):40-42.
• Whatever Happened to the Eight Hour Day, Sojourners 29(3):43.
• McKibben, B 2004. Sins of Emission. Sojourners 33(3)8-12
• Power Bratton, S. 2004. Rockfish, Redfish, Stockfish, Foodfish: Seven biblical principles for the care of Creation. Sojourners 33(3):22-25
• Myers, C. 2004. To Serve and Preserve. Sojourners 33(3):28-38.
• Gardner, G. 1999. Why Share? WorldWatch 12(4):10-20 [Blackboard E-reading]
• Gardner, G. & P. Sampat. 1999. Making things last: reinventing our material culture. The Futurist 33(5)24-28.

1. Read all the readings prior to coming to the class
2. Complete Project Presentation to present in class - must use Powerpoint or another technology.
3. Post Project Executive Summary (1 page) to the Project Forum by Dec. 7, prior to our last class.
4. Post Focus Response 5 on or before Dec. 10.
5. Visit the online TechnoTalk Discussion forum and Post a message at least two days during the week.
6. Complete the course survey and evaluation (both online)