Technology and Feminist Practice

3 units

How can we best use technology, and the tools and insights of the Digital Humanities in particular, to promote effective approaches to addressing gender-based violence? What are the most effective ways to bridge the innovations of the research university with the everyday work of practitioners seeking to prevent violence or intervene in its aftermath? What are the ethics involved in constructing tools for public and professional use? Which interests should govern the choices in content, design, and dissemination of information? This course will introduce students to the strategies and challenges of devising technological tools for violence prevention for use beyond the classroom. Class readings and discussions will be supplemented by hands-on project work with Washington University's Gender Violence Database and lab sessions that focus on skill-building in digital project construction. Prerequisite: For undergraduate students, L77 393 01 or previous work experience with the Gender Violence Database. Graduate students by permission of instructor.