Grant, August E. & Meadows, Jennifer H. (Eds.) (2004). Communication Technology Update:

9th Edition. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.

Standage, Tom (1998). The Victorian Internet. New York, NY: Berkley Books.

Students will:

1. be able to analyze, develop, and use problem solving skills to understand the

implications and decision-making processes of individuals, institutions,

and/or governing bodies regarding technology;

2. understand how to evaluate technology - its risks, benefits, aesthetics, values,

and/or social and ethical implications;

3. be able to evaluate alternative responses to scientific and technological issues

before suggesting new courses of action or critiquing current or past

responses;

4. understand the background of specific scientific and technological

developments, as viewed from varied scientific, social, and world view

perspectives;

5. understand how communication technology shapes personal identities,

relationships, and society; and

6. understand the effect technology has on the communication process.

Participation is important and is part of your grade. Students are expected to have read the required chapters for each class session and be prepared to discuss its contents. A lack of preparation not only hurts your grade it also takes away from the quality of the in-class discussion and makes the learning experience less enjoyable for your classmates. Attendance is also a part of your participation grade. Excessive absences and/or tardiness will be reflected in that generally, three or more unexcused absences will result in a minimum one grade lower participation grade. Specific participation grading criteria is given later in the syllabus.

Projects are due at the beginning of the class period noted in the course outline. Late projects or missed exams will not be accepted without a legitimate excuse such as medical illness or emergency. If you have a situation that may present difficulties in turning a project in on time or making an exam date the proper procedure is to discuss this with me before the due date. I'm flexible and understanding when students talk with me before an assignment or exam is due. I'm much less flexible if a student tries to explain their situation after the due date has passed. In short, if you think you're going to have a problem turning in an assignment on time, talk with me before the due date. The same also applies to attendance. Excused absences are at my discretion. I am far more likely to grant them when students let me know ahead of time (when possible) or contact me as soon as possible after the missed class.

Student work will be evaluated according to the guidelines laid out in the 2004-2005 Bethel College catalog (see p. 24). To receive an "A," work should be "exceptional". "B" work is considered "good," and "C" "work "satisfactory" and so on. Information is provided in the syllabus with the criteria for class assignments. If you have any questions about these assignments, ask!

Students seeking disability-related accommodations, or students seeking to appeal a grade, should review policy information at http://bethelnet.bethel.edu/collegefaculty/Policies/index.htm

The Bethel policy on academic honesty applies in this course. (see pp. 27-28 in the 2004-2005 Bethel College catalog)

Points will be awarded for the course as follows:

Participation Criteria

Group Project

Technology Journal

Sample Journal

Final grades will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on the assignments noted above. Accumulated points will be divided by the total points available (300) to arrive at a percentage for the course. Grades will be assigned based on the following scale:

Lecture Notes

Communication Technology Theory

Digital TV