Africa Polts of Digital Dev

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Wired Asymmetries explores the historical, diplomatic, and economic processes by which the meanings of technology have been constructed. Despite the common understanding of technology as a value-neutral instrument or a functional conduit that automates tasks, its Greek origin, teckhne, means art. Thus, contrary to this instrumental thinking, the course aims to discern the ethical and political meanings of technology. In order to examine the consequences of technology for societies and everyday people, the course addresses the historical context, socio-political environments, and notions of technological adoption in African countries. Accordingly, this course invites students to examine how different global players, corporate stakeholders, and communities—across gender, ethnicity, race, and class lines—have understood the political meaning and consequences of technological adoption.