Spring 2023 Micro-Course: Technology, Humanity, and Social Justice

Technology, Humanity, and Social Justice

Friday, March 17, 2023 to Sunday, March 19, 2023

Course Number: PS 1555 (1-credit). Registration closed.

As humans rely more and more on electronic devices to support their everyday activities, there are ever present warnings about the impacts such reliance has on human autonomy ranging from who owns and controls information networks, the inequitable impact of technology consumption on peoples and places, varying accessibility of technology around the globe, and the promises and limitations of technology in improving human health. By engaging in technology as a lens, this sequence of weekend micro-courses encourages students to examine technology as a system disproportionately impacting humanity by enabling and constraining human rights of groups of people around the globe. With a multi-disciplinary focus, the course invites researchers and practitioners from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and relevant fields more broadly.

In this four-part weekend micro-course (spanning four semesters), we will examine the power of technology on humanity and its implications on social justice in four areas: governance, environment, education, and health. Please note that students do not need to complete all four parts and are welcome to participate in any and all micro-course offerings. This course requires a permission number that will be provided by contacting the instructor, Veronica Dristas, at dristas@pitt.edu.

Education: In Spring 2023, the focus will be on the impact technology has on the future of schooling and work. This will include a discussion as to how technology can improve the efficiency and safety of the workforce through automation while also creating further divides between those who have educational access and those who do not. The effects of technology on education and the common language of the world, including how it impacts native languages and cultures, will also be discussed.

Pre-recording, Asynchronous Review Before Class: Course and Final Assignment Overview

Pre-Reads: Prior to class, students should review the entire syllabus and its policies, the engaging perspectives in decision-making proposal (final assignment) assignment and rubric.

Pre-Class Brainstorm: Prior to class, students should review the list of topics and resources provided on Canvas. Students should select one topic and review the provided resources. If students would like to work on a topic that does not appear on the provided list of options, then students can reach out via email or Zoom office hours for approval.

Pre-Recording Quiz: This quiz will be due before midnight on Friday, Mar. 17th. You should complete the Canvas quiz after reviewing the syllabus, final assignment and rubric, and watching the pre-recording overview of the course and final assignment.

Friday, March 17th

5 - 5:15 PM: Welcome Remarks and Overview of Course
Session 1 – 5:15 - 6:30PM: Christopher Phillips, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, History, Carnegie Mellon University
Session 2 – 6:45 - 8 PM: Lauren Herckis, Anthropology, Carnegie Mellon University

Saturday, March 18th

Session 3 – 8:30 - 10 AM: Group Activity: Analyzing the Environment and Technology Case Study

Note: Students arriving more than 5 minutes late will not be assigned to a breakout group nor be able to complete the assignment sheet associated with this activity. Please arrive on time to be assigned a group and case study. This activity will also ask students to actively talk with one another to complete the activity. Be sure you are in a space that you can at least unmute and add to the conversation.

Session 4 – 10:15 - 11:30 AM: Beatrice Dias, Assistant Professor of Digital Media, Learning, and Leadership in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh

LUNCH 11:30 AM - 1 PM

Session 5 – 1 - 2:15PM: Angela E.B. Stewart, Assistant Professor, School of Computing and Information, and Research Scientist, Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh
Session 6 – 2:30 - 3:45PM: Tricia Douglas, PhD Candidate and Teaching Fellow, School of Design, Carnegie Mellon University
Session 7 – 4 - 5:30 PM: Group Activity: Comparing Analyses of the Environment and Technology Case Studies

Sunday, March 19th

Session 8 – 8:30 - 9:30 AM: Comparing Disciplines and Perspectives
Session 9 – 9:45 - 11:45 AM: Practicing Community Discussions on Inclusive Approaches: A Case Study Activity

Session 10 – 12 - 1 PM: Workshopping Your Stakeholder Profiles

Pre-Class Work: Prior to the Sunday morning session, students should have selected a topic from the provided list and reviewed the available resources. Using your prior resources and brainstorms from the Part 3 portion of the Speaker Session worksheets, students will begin workshopping key stakeholders related to their topic. This will allow for feedback and provide a foundation of the next step of the Identifying Stakeholder Perspective assignment after the weekend.

Christopher Phillips, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, History, Carnegie Mellon University

Lauren Herckis, anthropology, Carnegie Mellon University

Beatrice Dias, Assistant Professor of Digital Media, Learning, and Leadership in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh

Angela E.B. Stewart, Assistant Professor, School of Computing and Information, and Research Scientist, Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh

Tricia Douglas, PhD Candidate and Teaching Fellow, School of Design, Carnegie Mellon University

The micro-course is open to all students, community members, and educators. Registration closed.

Pitt Students: This course requires a permission number that will be provided by contacting the instructor, Veronica Dristas, at dristas@pitt.edu.