Unit 9
Who is in control here anyway?
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Are we in control? The author of the text poses this question in Chapter
15. He and I have slightly different answers. I am more of a technological
determinist although I recognize the role of human actions. He discusses
the nature and importance of these human actions in some detail in Chapters
15 & 16. Many, perhaps most, people would disagree with both of us.
They would say that we are in control of our technology and our destiny.
It is just a matter of deciding what we want and then doing it. They would
argue that the choices we make now will shape the future. I’ve argued
for a different answer from my sociological perspective – suggesting
that we, as individuals, are not in control of our institutions or our technologies.
You will, of course, have to make up your own mind.
As your final group assignment, I’d like you to discuss the question
of who is in control. What have you learned this term from the text, lectures,
discussions, and your own research about the role of science and technology
in social context? Do we control technology or does
it control us? Please post your group’s response by Monday,
August 23. There will be no lecture or group assignment for Week Ten to
give you more time to work on the Final Part of your Social History. I
will, of course, be available to answer questions about any of the course
material or your projects.
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:
- Open a forum.
- Click Show Options.
- Use the check boxes to select the messages
you want to view.
- Click Collect in the options.
- Read the text from all the selected messages.
- 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.
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