This course explores the growing importance of computer-mediated communication in contemporary culture. Topics include: the history of computer-mediated communication; the nature of cyberspace; Internet demographics; virtual communities and their discontents; telework; electronic surveillance and cryptography ; law and order on the electronic frontier; digital dissent and censorship; and the significance of the networks for human--or post-human--evolution. In particular, this semester's course focuses on the Internet and the so-called information highway as arenas of techno-struggle, where different communities--the military, multinational corporations, law enforcement agents, criminals, civil libertarians, and a multitude of social movements--pursue conflicting agendas within the matrix of the planet's most powerful communications network. Note: This is a study of the social issues arising from computer-communication, not a "how to" course on using the Internet. No one has to be a computer expert to do well. However, you will be expected to already have, or rapidly acquire, a basic on-line literacy i.e. know how to sign on to your university computer account, send and receive email, and search the World Wide Web.

Week 1 (Sep. 14): Introduction. Reading: Friedman, "Introduction."

Week 2 (Sep. 21): Cyberspace. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 1.

Week 3 (Sep. 28): Command & Control: The Military Origins. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 2.

Week 4 (Oct. 5): Virtual Communities? Reading: Friedman, Chapter 3 & Howard Rheingold, "A Slice of Life in My Virtual Community."

Week 5 (Oct. 12): Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 6 (Oct. 19): Labour in Cyberspace: Telework Reading: Friedman, Chapter 7.

Week 7 (Oct. 26):  Big Brother & Little Brother: Dataveillence. Reading: David Lyon, "From Big Brother to Electronic Panopticon."

Week 8 (Nov. 2): Hackers  & Cypherpunks. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 6

Week 9 (Nov. 9): Cyberporn and Censorship. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 8.

Week 10 (Nov. 16): Net-Nazis: Hatespeak. Reading, Friedman, Chapter 5.

Week 11 (Nov. 23): Info-Wars: Virtual Zapatistas. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 4.

Week 12 (Nov. 30): Cyborgs and Neo-Luddites. Reading: Friedman, Chapter 9.

Week 13 (Dec. 7) Conclusions: Virtual Class.
 

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