Course Description

This course equips students to be effective and responsible users of modern technology. It does so through two pathways, one conceptual and the other practical. First, students will develop a conceptual framework for studying different platforms, software, applications, and tech companies and the role they play within modern society, tackling larger topics like consumer privacy, critical data studies, and algorithmic bias. Second, students will learn how to use an array of technology, such as building a personal website, recording and editing audio, processing and analyzing data, and making digital maps.

Note: This course serves as an introduction to the Digital Studies Certificate and provides 3.0 approved credit hours within the Certificate’s Integration cluster.

Learning Goals

In this class, students will:

• Understand the cultural, social, and ethical dimensions of how technology shapes modern society
• Develop technical skills across a variety of platforms and software
• Build a body of knowledge and skillset that advances your individual educational and/or career goals