History
Of Communication
PBDS711.185
NOTE: This is representative of the syllabi for this course. It is not necessarily the syllabus being used in any one semester.
Description and Objectives
This course is based on the assumption that communications technologies and culture are inextricably intertwined and that the characteristics of a given culture are in large part shaped by the characteristics of the communications media which predominate in that culture. The basic goals of the course are:
1. To explore the history of communications and communications technologies.
2. To understand the relationship between changes in technology and changes in culture.
3. To develop an awareness of theories used to explain this relationship.
This is a history class and we will be taking a historical approach toward understanding the above. We will, however, be viewing history through a lens different from the one usually put to use in the service of history. We will examine history as a vast network of interrelated technological developments, most having an impact on communications and culture. Be on the lookout in newspapers and periodicals for articles that explore the history of any technology or cultural artifact; bring in any such articles for discussion. History is all around us, even in this society that insists it is not beholden to and intentionally ignores its history. Our challenge is to understand how the past is our present (Now are you trying to remember who it was that said that famous thing about the past? And what was the precise quote anyway? And big kudos to anyone who can explain the context of the statement good luck)
Required Texts
1. Orality and Literacy by Walter Ong
2. Medieval Technology and Social Change by Lynn White
3. Essential McLuhan edited by Eric McLuhan and Frank Zingrone
4. Why Things Bite Back by Edward Tenner
Grades will be based on papers, participation, assignments and essential evening wear. Ballroom dance is optional.
Please Keep in Mind
This is a graduate communication course and as such all required papers must be intelligently and coherently composed, all departmental writing policies will be observed. Papers must be typewritten, a handout on proper form will follow. Late papers will be accepted only with prior permission.
Attendance is mandatory. I recognize, however, that there is the occasional circumstance which necessitates missing class. If this should be the case, I advise that you do the following. Be sure that any assignment is placed in my box; absence is NOT an excuse for " late work. Call a classmate to get notes on what you missed. If you have any questions about the missed class after you have discussed the material with a colleague you may check with me.
For every reading assignment there is a concurrent writing assignment In preparation for class discussions I ask that you wrestle in writing with what you have read. The purpose of the assignment is to start you ruminating about what you have read. The purpose is not to test your knowledge or your progress through the text It is probable that you may not understand all of every text, the writing assignment is a place for you to begin thinking about what you are having trouble with, what you like, dislike, would like to know more about, or just don't understand in what you have read. Having done the writing
assignment you will appear in class every week ready to engage in thoughtful and insightful discussion about what you have read. I suggest that you spend at least twenty minutes writing (not necessarily in a single sitting) in response to the readings each week.
Three papers are required. for the first two you will select a pre-twentieth century technology that we have not covered in class. The first paper will be a developmental history of this technology; and the second will be an examination of its social impact The third paper will be a projection on your part of the social impact of any technology developed since 1960. More details will be provided on these assignments as the semester progresses. If, upon receiving a paper back, you are unsatisfied with your grade you may rewrite it Rewritten papers will be accepted no later than one week of the date upon which they were handed back.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
9/11 Introductory class
9/18 What is Technology and Why McLuhan ch. 9
9/25 From Orality Ong Intro-3
10/2 To Literacy Ong ch. 4-7
10/9 History/Culture/Technology Seife & Diamond
handouts
10/16 Writing Systems Havelock handout DUE: History Paper
10/23 Invisible Technologies White ch. 1,2
10/30 The Printing Press & its Offspring White ch. 3
McLuhan ch. 7, 8
11/6 Unintended Consequences Tenner ch. 1-7 11/13 DUE: Social Impact Paper
11/20 Computerization Tenner ch. 8-12
11/27 Television, Technology & Control McLuhan ch. 13, 19
12/4 Presentations
12/11 Presentations
DUE: New Technology Paper
12/18 Presentations