Unit 5

Discussion: Systems-Making Connections

After you’ve read the assigned reading in text, the Lecture, AND checked out some of the resources on the previous page, use a systems model to organize Volti’s argument in either Chapter 6 or Chapter 7. If you have the software, do a diagram labeling the boxes & arrows and then add the Narrative or text component explaining each arrow. If you don’t have the software, just do a Narrative as shown in the Lecture (System Diagram II). Incorporate at least one technological change, culture, social institutions, and individuals in your system. You can include other elements if you wish. Remember that you can send files, as well as messages, to one another and you can also attach files to the group discussion board.

Here’s an example of how to put System Diagram I (above) into a “Narrative" rather than a diagram.

Social Institution : science

Arrow A : innovation (detailed explanation. What goes on during innovation that leads to the development of the technology?)

<>Technology : birth control pills

Arrow B : market demand (detailed explanation. What are the market forces operating here to make birth control pills a marketable product?))

Social Institution : economic

Arrow C : adoption (detailed explanation. What forces propel people to adopt (or oppose) this technology?)

Continue...

Please post your group’s answer on the Main Discussion Board on February 6th. Remember that the 4 th person in the group, alphabetically, is “in charge” for this week. “In charge” means you should facilitate the group discussion, make sure the discussion gets focused on answering the questions, and posting the group’s answer to the Discussion Board.

Click on the Group's button in Blackboard and scroll down to find, read, and participate in this Unit's discussion. To read the Discussion Threads efficiently, follow these instructions:

1. Open a forum.
   • Click Show Options.
     • Use the check boxes to select the messages you want to view.
     • Click Collect in the options.
2. Read the text from all the selected messages.
• Print them if necessary.
3. Respond to posts individually.

I will assess your contributions on their relevance, thoughtfulness, and degree to which they reflect an engagement with the reading and not just with unsubstantiated opinions.

Each graded comment should be 100 to 300 words. One graded comment per Unit is intended as a bare minimum. Of course you may linger in the discussion boards and enter as many comments as you like. Incidentally, you may enter "extra" comments under the same topic. That is what makes discussion and interaction possible.

Participation in each week's discussion is worth up to 10 points plus an additional 10 if you are the Group Leader for that week.