Course Number: CMNS 455
Course Title: Women and New Information Technologies
Credit Hours: 4 Vector: 3-0-2
Course Description
In the 1970s, technological change came under the scrutiny of a wide range of interest groups. Research concerned with women and technological change documented that women were affected differently by technology than men, and that, in general, women occupy different positions in the technological change process than men. As interest in women and technological change has grown in the past 25 years, the benefits of focusing on gender as a variable of study have extended beyond making women's experiences visible. Focusing on gender offers the possibility of discovering theoretical limitations which, when addressed, have implications that extend beyond the interests of women. (lecture/seminar)
Prerequisite: 75 credits, including any one of the following: CMNS 253, 353, or 453; CMPT 320; WS 204
Corequisite: N/A
Special Instructions: N/A
Course(s) to be dropped if this course is approved: N/A
This course is one of two new courses taught by Prof. Ellen Balka (who has recently been hired), as a special topics offering. It is intended to complement the technology and society stream offered by the School of Communication. It will also be of interest to students in Computing Science with an interest in the social implications of computer technology, as well as students in Women's Studies interested in women and technology. This will be an elective course, offered in the School of Communication, and will likely draw students from Computing Science and Women's Studies as well. Probable enrollment is 25-30 students per offering.
Indicate Semester and Year this course would be first offered and planned frequency of offering thereafter.
Which of your present CFL faculty have the expertise to offer this course? Will the course be taught by sessional or limited term faculty?
No, the course will not be taught by sessional or limited-term instructors. CMNS faculty members who have the expertise to teach it would be Ellen Balka and Patricia Howard.
Are there any proposed student fees associated with this course other than tuition fees?
Is this course considered a `duplicate' of any current or prior course under the University's duplicate course policy? Specify, as appropriate.
Note: Senate has approved (S.93-11) that no new course should be approved by Senate until funding has been committed for necessary library materials. Each new course proposal must be accompanied by a library report and, if appropriate, confirmation that funding arrangements have been addressed.
Provide details on how existing instructional resources will be redistributed to accommodate this new course. For instance, will another course be eliminated or will the frequency of offering of other courses be reduced; are there changes in pedagogical style or class sizes that allow for this additional course offering.
This course makes use of existing library resources acquired in support of WS 204, CMPT 320, and CMNS 253, 353, 453 and 454. However, unlike these courses, this course focuses solely on women's interactions with new information technology.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
Does the course require specialized space or equipment not readily available in the department or university, and if so, how will these resources be provided?
No.
In the 1970s, technological change came under the scrutiny of a wide range of interest groups. Research concerned with women and technological change documented that women were affected differently by technology than men, and that, in general, women occupy different positions in the technological change process than men. As interest in women and technological change has grown in the past 25 years, the benefits of focusing on gender as a variable of study have extended beyond making women's experiences visible. Focusing on gender offers the possibility of discovering theoretical limitations which, when addressed, have implications that extend beyond the interests of women.
This course is designed to allow students interested in new communication and information technologies to explore theoretical issues that arise through consideration of women's experiences of technological change. Course materials and discussions will focus on three related themes:
Course Readings:
Course Requirements:
Students will choose a topic of interest to them at the beginning of the term. As the term progresses, they will complete a literature review related to that topic, followed by a paper that outlines policy issues related to that topic. In their final paper, students will build on their previous two assignments, and will integrate theoretical material addressed throughout the term with class readings and discussions.
| Type of Assignment | % of Grade | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Proposal | 5 | Week 3 |
| Literature Review | 20 | Week 6 |
| Policy Paper | 20 | Week 9 |
| Final Paper | 35 | 1 week after last class |
| Participation and Preparation | 20 | Ongoing |
Deadlines will be strictly enforced. A late penalty of 1% per day of the total mark will be levied, to a total of 10%.
The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to "Intellectual Honesty" and "Academic Discipline" (see the current Calendar, General Regulations Section).