TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND BEYOND
Surveys the past 20 years of digital technology and communications culture on the African continent, cross-referenced with discourse on technology experiences in other parts of the developing world, through the framework of development studies. Readings include case studies of micro-tech practices as well as political and social use of new media, and government and NGO-led tech interventions. Information Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) is a key area of focus. Cross-discipline areas include communications and media studies, African, Latin American and International area studies, as well as the social anthropology of technology and science, and design. Think critically about technology use in the context of different tech cultures from around the world. Apply this perspective towards new media solutions to social problems.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Junior standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Humanities or Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify canonical authors and texts, historical forms, genres, and structures in African culture studies and information and communication studies. Students will demonstrate their understanding of major theories, approaches, concepts and current and classical research findings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Understand their own learning processes and possess the capacity to intentionally seek, evaluate and learn from information, and recognize and reduce bias in their thinking. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Communicate effectively through essays, oral presentations and discussion and project based work, so they may share their knowledge, wisdom and values with others across social and professional settings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Write and speak across disciplinary boundaries with regard to existing research about Africa, the African diaspora and international development. Audience: Graduate 5. Explain the social, economic, and/or environmental dimensions of the sustainability challenge(s) of the historic and contemporary challenges of development-oriented tech projects, and identify areas within ICT which could assist in their sustainability. [Sustainability] Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Analyze sustainability issues and/or practices using a systems-based approach of information access and media communications within the sustainability framework with regards to environmental change, public infrastructure for clean water and sanitation, urban growth, education, governance and democracy, and public health. [Sustainability] Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify canonical authors and texts, historical forms, genres, and structures in African culture studies and information and communication studies. Students will demonstrate their understanding of major theories, approaches, concepts and current and classical research findings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Understand their own learning processes and possess the capacity to intentionally seek, evaluate and learn from information, and recognize and reduce bias in their thinking. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Communicate effectively through essays, oral presentations and discussion and project based work, so they may share their knowledge, wisdom and values with others across social and professional settings. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Write and speak across disciplinary boundaries with regard to existing research about Africa, the African diaspora and international development. Audience: Graduate 5. Explain the social, economic, and/or environmental dimensions of the sustainability challenge(s) of the historic and contemporary challenges of development-oriented tech projects, and identify areas within ICT which could assist in their sustainability. [Sustainability] Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Analyze sustainability issues and/or practices using a systems-based approach of information access and media communications within the sustainability framework with regards to environmental change, public infrastructure for clean water and sanitation, urban growth, education, governance and democracy, and public health. [Sustainability] Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad
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Catalogue variants
- TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA AND BEYOND · 3 credits.