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Sociology, History, Technology: Technological Determinism Along the Disciplinary Divides

Sociology, History, Technology: Technological Determinism Along the Disciplinary Divides. Kimberly Lemon June 26, 2007 Dr. Gu ENGL 8121. Essential Question. What is the significance of the John Henry Text to Johnson’s discussion of Technological Determinism?.

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Sociology, History, Technology: Technological Determinism Along the Disciplinary Divides

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  1. Sociology, History, Technology: Technological Determinism Along the Disciplinary Divides Kimberly Lemon June 26, 2007 Dr. Gu ENGL 8121

  2. Essential Question • What is the significance of the John Henry Text to Johnson’s discussion of Technological Determinism? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  3. Technology, Agency, Society:Sites of Determinist Skepticism • “The ownership discourse and knowledge is a community activity” (86). • What is the technology between technology, humans, and agency? • What is the connection between control and ownership? • Are these changes linked to or more dependent upon one another? • Is one element of these changes more important or more dominant than the others? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  4. Attempting to Define Technological Determinism • Staudenmaiers Definition: technology is more than artifacts or systems in this definition an also includes economics, notion of “progress”, and narrative construction of the success of technology in the modern world. • Smith and Marx define determinism by considering “it is not whether determinism exists, but rather to what degree it exists that is important. • Alternative Definition Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  5. Technology Shaping Culture Shaping Technology • What is the significance of the chimney example? • If Brave New World and Frankenstein are examples of Technology’s power from the past, what should we observe from movies like The Terminator or The Matrix? • Johnson suggests that we should “debate in a critical, proactive awareness of technology’s power.” • Edison's Light Bulb • What role does technological determinism play in Edison’s invention of the light bulb? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  6. In the Eye of the Beholder: Sociology and the Denial of Technological Determinism • Social Constructivist’s view of Technological Determinism: a social construct that can be interpreted and reinterpreted depending upon the people involved, the context or situation in which it is designed, developed, or deployed, and the historical moment it resides within. • Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why? • Johnson states that Bijker and Pinch are “invaluable in identifying the problem at hand”. He further states that “others” are responsible for developing a plan and moving toward a solution. • Considering Johnson’s view, what do you believe was the problem which caused the bicycle to be created as the solution? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  7. History and the “Turn to Culture” in Technology Studies • Johnson states that “technology is authoritarian and democratic-devil and savior”. • “Historians usually find hope in the power of the human spirit to live in a symbiotic relationship with technology.” • What is the significance of the farmer case study? • Is Technological Determinism influenced by class? Would the farmers have been treated differently if they were more college educated or business men? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  8. Beholden to Technology:Philosophy and the Political Context • In this section, Johnson “seeks to “wed” the political dimensions with the more descriptive dimensions of the two previous disciplines of sociology and history…” • What is the political significance of the Moses case study? What are the similarities and differences that exist within the Metro-Atlanta Marta Rail and Bus System? • Johnson also relays Al Gore’s vision of the National and Global Information High. Who would be in control of this type of power and accessibility? Who would have access to it and for what purposes? Would this technology be in our control? • Are capable of determining technology? Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  9. Technology and the Classroom • Johnson poses 3 questions that also come up in teacher discussions • How does technology impact learning? • How does technology impact collaboration? • “Are we designing technology to aid in collaboration/(fill in the blank) or are we allowing technology to refigure collaboration/(fill in the blank) for us?” Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

  10. Conclusions • Johnson concludes by stating that “technology can be the too we are controlling. The power what we want when we need it. The paradox is that the same technology can be controlling; something that we can not live without. Free Template from www.brainybetty.com

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