Life Among the Machines

(4 Credits)

We are surrounded by machines, but that has not always been so. As a species and a civilization we have had to learn how to live with the technology we have built. This course takes a historical, philosophical, and sociological approach to examining the complicated process of integrating machines into our lives, and ourselves into our machines. We will examine the social changes resulting from technology and industrialization, the boundaries between human and machines, connections between gender and technology, technology beyond the western world, and how the Internet and virtual spaces have changed notions of identity and community. Readings will include Ruth Cowan, More work for mother; Priya Satia, Empire of Guns; Natasha Schull, Addiction by Design; Sherry Turkle, Simulation and its discontents; Iris Chang, Thread of the Silkworm; and Safiya Umoja Noble, Algorithms of Oppression.