CST

---

Provides students with key knowledge of race, gender, class and social justice especially in relation to technology in today's digital world. Students challenge the barriers of expertise, gender, race, class, and location that restrict wider access to and understanding of the production and usage of new technologies. Students will engage in a practical experience in the community via their service placements, which will provide depth and context for considering questions of justice, equality, social responsibilities and the complexities of technology and its societal impact. The course uses scenario based approach combining presentations, discussions, and reflections to allow students explore the relationship between critical reflection and action on the topics mentioned above.

---

Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): [Prereq: GE Areas A1 and A2 and A3 and B4 with a C- or better]
General Education: UDD Integrated Social Sciences
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Units: 3

---

1. Based on what you read in "What is the Digital Divide, multiple reasons about 
for what constitutes the digital divide as well as several consequences that arise
because of it. Where do you think the responsibility lies in bridging the digital 
divide? For example, should it fall on tech giants (who are pushing out new 
technology, and expecting those who can pay for it to keep up), or at a local level 
(community, county, state, federal, etc.)? Or, the individual level? Why?

I think the responsbility should be split across all of those. For tech companies,
they should put more effort into designing practices for marginalized communities,
to give a broader access to these powerful tools. This access can help both sides
of the tech providers, and the tech users. The tech providers can continue to 
show off their powerful products, and have them reach more minds that can cycle
users back into improving and even working for the companies that do provide. 
The tech users can access to similar tools many others have levelling the 
field of education, entertainment, and more, and also allows them to contribute
and give back more to their community, and the world. 
Moreover, the government can heavily influence infrastructure, development, and 
other initiatives in divided or lacking areas. They can also incentivize companies,
schools, or other business to put more efforts in closing this divide. Many 
technologies are influenced and regulated by the government, such as internet. 
Lastly, the local and indiviudal levels are crucial contributers to the divide, 
as it is up to them to fully utilize when there is acccess to available technology.
If the established groups like companies and government are making contributions, 
the communites and indivudals should take the initiative to learn and try to use 
and integrate this into their livelyhood. 


2. As some consequences of the digital divide are mentioned in the article "What is
the digital Divide," What other consequences of this divide do you think are just
as important? Do you think there are short-term solutions to bridging those gaps?

I think a large one is communication and entertainment. Many people use technlogy to
communicate with others, or share things such as with social media. Additionally, 
having access to music, art, games, literature, etc is much easier with this tech, 
which both are major consequences of the Divide. 
There most definitely are some solutions, as for my service project I am working with
and on something to help close the gap. I work with a school out in Kenya that recently
got a new computer lab, but lack the curriclum and lessons to teach the incomding 
students into the program and our job is to create all of that. This single program 
and course will enable kids to have knowledge and better job opportunites within the 
technologicial field, further snowballing influence to other areas.


3. Of the list of articles on the digital divide provided, which one did you find 
intriguing, and why? Who was affected by the subject of the article? Did the source 
discuss any short or long-term solutions to the digital divide? 

I read "Africa needs China for its digital development - but at what price?", because
working with my service project, it has been mentioned that some infrastructure or 
other programs in African countries are being supported and paid for by China. Without
external involvement it can be hard and slow to make progress on the digital divide 
in Africa. China providing help and support seems to be a better route for the African
nations to develop the technology they want and need. As this develops, eventually in
the longer term these countries can start to produce their own infrastructure, and 
not rely on China.