Adelphi · Syllabus ·
HUMN 344 7383 Technology and Culture (2228)HUMN-344
- Fall 2022
- Section 7383
- 3 Credits
- 10/19/2022 to 12/13/2022
Faculty Contact
Winthrop Hepburn winthrop.hepburn@faculty.umgc.edu
Course Description
Recommended: HUMN 100. An overview of the impact of technology on culture. The goal is to interpret, evaluate, and respond to the role of technology in daily life. Topics include the nature of technology; how technology influences events; how events influence the development of technology; and the interaction between technology and human welfare in medicine, warfare, daily life, entertainment, government, and science.
Course Introduction
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Defend ethical reasoning on social, cultural, ethical, and political issues involving the intersection of technology and human culture.
- Communicate in writing and oral presentation critical reflection on the ways technology and human experiences shape each other.
- Evaluate the relationship between technology and culture by employing cultural criticism such as technological determinism and social constructivism.
- Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and methods to the study of technology and human culture.
Course Materials
Click to access your course materials information
Class Guidelines
Contacting your Professor
You can ask questions of interest to the whole class in the Ask the Professor discussion topic.
For questions of an individual nature, you can use the Instant Message feature within the classroom to send a message to your professor.
You can find your professor’s email address on the Classlist and within the Content section of your classroom, under Overview.
Please take note of any information from your professor about their preferred contact method and please allow up to 48 hours for a response.
Deadlines
Classroom deadlines are based on US East Coast time.
Assignments may be accepted late at the professor’s discretion, and a point penalty may be applied.
New to Online Learning
If this is your first online course, expect some uncertainty and frustration as you learn the technology. Watch the Online Classroom Overview video to learn more about the classroom, available here: https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/leo
It is recommended that you adjust your Notifications setting under your Profile and turn on instant notifications for new announcements, assignment deadline reminders, and for updated grades.
Technical Assistance
For technical assistance with the online classroom, contact the technical support staff by clicking on “More” in the classroom navigation bar, at the top-right of your page, and then “Technical Support.”
Microsoft Office 365 Education Package
UMGC is a Microsoft campus, meaning all students have access to the Microsoft Office 365 Education package at no added cost. For this reason, all assignment files should be submitted in .doc or .docx file formats, unless otherwise stated. To access the software package, use your University-issued email address and register here: https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/student-life-and-support/technology-resources/index.cfm
Time Management
High performing students visit the online classroom frequently. This allows you to review the weekly overviews and class learning resources before participating in class discussions or completing quizzes and assignments.
Per the UMGC Catalog (see section on ‘Responsibilities of the Student’), students should expect to spend 42 to 45 hours on coursework per every credit attempted, or roughly 15-18 hours per week on readings, discussions, assignments, and other related class activities, for a 3-credit course.
If you encounter a scheduling conflict that impacts your ability to participate in this course and meet deadlines, contact your professor immediately.
Student Well-Being
The well-being of students in this class is of primary importance. If you are facing any challenges related to your physical or mental health, or obstacles like food or housing insecurity, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your professor. Doing so before the due date for the work you may not be able to get in on time enables us to work together to get you through the class. Please do not wait until near the end of class because at that point it will be difficult, if not impossible to get you on track.
Inclusivity
This class is intended to be respectful of religion, gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. Please let your professor know if there are ways to improve the effectiveness of the course in any of these areas.
Writing Standards
Use a professional style of communication is expected. College-level writing demonstrates good grammar and spelling, and appropriate vocabulary.
University Resources for Documentation and Writing
Courses in humanities and philosophy require use of the MLA Style Guide for documentation purposes. If you are experienced in another documentation style, such as APA, request permission from your professor for use in this class.
All sources must be properly documented in student writing. For assistance in implementing MLA style and developing your assignments, review the below resources. Consider reaching out to the Effective Writing Center for assistance with your writing.
- UMGC’s MLA Citation Examples: https://libguides.umgc.edu/mla-examples
- UMGC’s MLA Document Formatting: https://libguides.umgc.edu/mla-document-formatting
- UMGC’s Online Guide to Writing and Research: https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/online-guide-to-writing/tutorial/ (section 5 for more on MLA documentation)
- UMGC’s Effective Writing Center (EWC): https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/index.cfm
More information on the University’s Philosophy of Academic Integrity, use of Turnitin tools, and related policies are available in the Academic Policies section of the syllabus.
QUESTIONS?
Your professor wants you to succeed. Do not hesitate to ask for help or clarification.
Grading Information
Grading Information and Criteria
This course consists of the following graded items:
| Weekly Discussions | 40% |
| Week 1 Quiz | 5% |
| Project 1: Stage 1- Topic Selection Video | 5% |
| Project 1: Stage 2 – Question Exercise | 8% |
| Project 1: Stage 3 – Analysis Paper | 12% |
| Project 2: Stage 1 – Technology Timeline | 10% |
| Project 2: Stage 2 – Interview | 10% |
| Project 2: Stage 3 – Comparative Paper | 10% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Project Descriptions
More detailed and specific instructions regarding assignment descriptions, rubrics, and reading lists for this course are provided within the “Content” section of the classroom.
Weekly Discussions
Each week you will respond to a question, or several questions, posted in the Discussions area of the classroom. You will also provide two or more substantive responses to other classmates’ postings.
Course Projects
Student complete two course projects wherein they submit components throughout the duration of the course. Instructions and details on the assignments and their stages will be provided in the classroom.
Academic Policies
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has adopted a Philosophy of Academic Integrity to guide the university’s commitment to a culture of academic integrity. Our approach cultivates socially responsible personal and professional behaviors and traits. All members of the University community must maintain the highest level of integrity across the academic experience.
Resources – UMGC provides an Academic Integrity Tutorial and an Integrity & Ethics Badge as learning resources. These resources include information on the fundamentals of academic integrity and how to apply your own personal ethics to coursework as a UMGC student and in other settings. Other Academic Integrity resources and guidelines are found at https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/academic-integrity/index.cfm.
Role of Instructor – Your instructor is your primary resource for how to uphold the highest ethical standards in the context of the specific requirements for this course.
Student Responsibility – You are responsible for using UMGC-approved resources to understand key academic integrity concepts and to support your own academic success through practices that uphold values of integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage.
Turnitin – Turnitin is enabled within the classroom to support the development and assessment of authentic student writing. To learn more about Turnitin, the feedback it provides, how to use that feedback to improve your work, and your options regarding the inclusion of your work in the Turnitin database, visit University guides for Turnitin at sites.umgc.edu/library/libresources/turnitin.cfm and https://sites.umgc.edu/library/libresources/turnitin.cfm#studentcopyright.
CLASSROOM CIVILITY
University of Maryland Global Campus is committed to the success of our global community and values the diverse identities and backgrounds of our students, faculty, and staff. Each one of us has a broader life and set of experiences beyond UMGC that we bring with us to each interaction. Sharing your story with your classmates provides opportunities to learn, relate, and gain inspiration from each other. Engagement often begins with introductions at the beginning of the course. Sharing your preferred name, preferred pronouns, and other details about yourself and your life builds a foundation for connection, understanding, and a richer and more personalized learning experience.
We also recognize that some of life’s responsibilities and challenges outside of the classroom, such as childcare, a change in employment status, or illness, have an impact on success in a course. To the extent you are comfortable, we encourage you to communicate with your faculty member or Success Coach about any concerns you have for this course or as a student at UMGC so we can help you navigate potential obstacles and stay on track to achieve your goals.
Students are expected to work together cooperatively, and treat fellow students and faculty with respect, showing professionalism and courtesy in all interactions. Please review the Code of Civility for more guidance on interacting in UMGC classrooms: https://www.umgc.edu/students/support/studentlife/conduct/code.cfm.
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
UMGC is committed to ensuring that all individuals are treated equally according to Policy 040.30 Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Sexual Harassment.
Students with disabilities who need accommodations in a course are encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) at accessibilityservices@umgc.edu, or call 800-888-8682 or 240-684-2287.
The following academic policies and procedures apply to this course and your studies at UMGC.
| 150.25 | Academic Integrity Policy The University expects all members of the university community—students, faculty, and staff—to use guidelines to work with and promote integrity. If you are aware of any academic misconduct, please contact integrity@umgc.edu. All cases of academic misconduct will be addressed in accordance with Policy 150.25 and associated procedures.You are expected to engage in new learning that furthers your development of knowledge, skills, and abilities in each course. According to this policy, you may not submit a substantial portion of any coursework that you have submitted to any course previously without express written approval through assignment guidelines or other forms of communication. You must use UMGC course materials responsibly. Uploading course materials to any website outside of UMGC’s online classroom is prohibited by this policy. |
| 151.00 | Code of Student Conduct |
| 170.40170.41170.42 | The following policies describe the requirements for the award of each degree: Degree Completion Requirements for the Graduate SchoolDegree Completion Requirements for a Bachelor’s DegreeDegree Completion Requirements for an Associate’s Degree |
| 170.71 | Policy on Grade of Incomplete – The mark of I is exceptional and considered only for certain courses. Students who have completed 60% of their coursework with a grade of B or better for graduate courses or C or better for undergraduate courses and request an I before the end of the term. The mark of I is not available for noncredit courses. |
| 170.72 | Course Withdrawal Policy – Students must follow drop and withdrawal procedures and deadlines available at https://www.umgc.edu/ under Academic Calendar. |
| 130.80 | Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading – appeals may be made on final course grades as described herein. |
| 190.00 | Intellectual Property – All university faculty, staff, and students must comply with University guidelines on the use of copyrighted material. Uploading UMGC or faculty copyrighted material without authorization degrades and corrupts the integrity of the teaching and learning experience and is a potential violation of UMGC policy and copyright law. You must obtain permission to post UMGC or other’s copyrighted material to third-party websites, including social learning network sites. UMGC reserves the right to take appropriate action to remove copyrighted material uploaded without authorization. |
| 205.06 | Calculation Of Grade-Point Average (GPA) for Inclusion on Transcripts and Transcript Requests – Note: Undergraduate and graduate courses have different Grading Policies. See Course Syllabus for Grading Policies. |
| 270.00 | Acceptable Use – The security of the online classroom is critical to ensuring a strong culture of academic integrity and authentic education at the University. It is a violation of the University’s policies for anyone to share logon, password, and any other secure information about a UMGC online account, including credentials required to access the online learning environment. |
GRADING
According to UMGC’s grading policy, the following marks are used:
| Undergraduate | Graduate | |
| A | 90-100 | 90-100 |
| B | 80-89 | 80-89 |
| C | 70-79 | 70-79* |
| D | 60-69 | N/A** |
| F | 59 or below | 69 or below |
| FN | Failure-Non attendance | Failure-Non attendance |
| G | Grade Pending | Grade Pending |
| P | Passing | Passing |
| S | Satisfactory | Satisfactory |
| U | Unsatisfactory | Unsatisfactory |
| I | Incomplete | Incomplete |
| AU | Audit | Audit |
| W | Withdrew | Withdrew |
* The grade of “B” represents the benchmark for graduate courses. Students must maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Classes where final grade of C or F places a student on Academic Probation must be repeated.
** UMGC does not award the grade of D in graduate courses.
GRADE ROUNDING
Scores to individual assignments are calculated based on rubrics in the class and are not rounded to the whole point. The final grade for the course is determined by weighted average and will be rounded to the nearest whole point using mathematical rule (grades with .5 and above to be rounded to the next whole point).
EXTRA CREDIT
Assignments are designed to enable students to achieve course objectives and succeed in the program. In the interest of equity and fairness, there will be no extra credit opportunities. All assignments are identified in the syllabus.
COURSE EVALUATION SURVEY
UMGC values its students’ feedback. You will be asked to complete an online evaluation toward the end of the term. The primary purpose of this evaluation process is to assess the effectiveness of classroom instruction in order to provide the best learning experience possible and make continuous improvements to every class. Responses are kept confidential. Please take full advantage of this opportunity to provide your feedback.
LIBRARY SUPPORT
Extensive library resources and services are available online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at https://sites.umgc.edu/library/index.cfm to support you in your studies. The UMGC Library provides research assistance in creating search strategies, selecting relevant databases, and evaluating and citing resources in a variety of formats via its Ask a Librarian service at https://www.umgc.edu/library/libask/index.cfm.
EXTERNAL LINK DISCLAIMER
This course may contain links to external sites neither owned nor maintained by UMGC. UMGC bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of external sites or for that of subsequent links. In addition, the terms of use, security policies, and privacy policies may differ from those of UMGC. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content, terms of use, and policies.
LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORT
Those requiring technical assistance can access Help@UMGC Support directly in LEO under the Help menu. Additional technical support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via self-help and live chat at https://www.umgc.edu/help/ or by phone toll-free at 888-360-8682.
SYLLABUS CHANGES
All items on this syllabus are subject to change at the discretion of the Instructor and the Office of Academic Affairs.
Class & Assignment Schedule
| Week Dates | Weekly Topic(s) | Assignment(s) | Due Date(s) |
| Week 110/19/22-10/25/22 | Studying Technology & Culture | Week 1 Quiz | Tuesday, 10/25/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Week 210/26/22-11/01/22 | Technology & History | Tuesday, 11/01/22 at 11:59 PM ET | |
| Week 311/02/22-11/08/22 | Technology & Perspectives | Project 1: Stage 1- Topic Selection Video | Tuesday, 11/08/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Week 411/09/22-11/15/22 | Technology & Ethics | Project 1: Stage 2 – Question Exercise | Tuesday, 11/15/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Week 511/16/22-11/22/22 | Technology & the Everyday | Project 1: Stage 3 – Interpretative Paper | Tuesday, 11/22/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Week 611/23/22-11/29/22 | Technology & the Arts | Project 2: Stage 1 – Technology Timeline | Tuesday, 11/29/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Week 7 11/30/22-12/06/22 | Technology in the Future | Project 2: Stage 2 – Interview | Tuesday, 12/06/22 at 11:59PM ET |
| Week 812/07/22-12/13/22 | Technology & the Self | Project 2: Stage 3 – Comparative Paper | Tuesday, 12/13/22 at 11:59 PM ET |
| NOTE: Every week discussion participation within the classroom takes place and is required. Due dates and required postings/responses vary for each discussion. Please follow the instructions in each individual discussion for its due date and required number of responses. |