DR.

MICHAEL L. BEST

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES & INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CS/INTA 8803

Spring 2008

Special Topics: Computing for Social Good

Tuesday 3:00 – 6:00pm

CCB 16

Faculty:

This is a dynamic syllabus; it is subject to change.

Please refer to T-Square for the up-to-date schedule.

OVERVIEW

This class introduces principles of new information and communication technologies, especially the internet and mobile phones, in economic, social and political development. Focusing on low-income communities in Atlanta, Africa, Asia, and beyond we will design, assess, and critique information and communication technologies that aim to connect, empower, and enrich. Theoretical aspects will be reviewed along with an examination of domestic and international development. But principally the class will focus around a core set of problems and real-world projects.

The course will be conducted as a research seminar employing participatory readings, case studies, and project-based hands-on work. In class participation and a final research paper will serve as the most significant class deliverables.

COURSE REQUIRMENTS

Participation (20%). Students are expected to attend all classes, to have read all assigned material, to come to class with a deep knowledge of the readings along with questions and comments in mind, and to participate actively in class discussions. Intellectual curiosity is required. 

In-class presentation (20%). Each student will serve as the presenter for one more days of the class. During this period the student will come with a short presentation overviewing that day’s topic and readings. After the presentation, the student will lead the class in debate and a further consideration of the material. Two weeks prior to the presentation date the reading list must be finalized; please work with us over email to develop the list. One week prior to the presentation date the readings must be made available to the entire class. In addition, each student will give a short pre-proposal project presentation to the class and a short final project presentation.

Research pape/project proposal (20%). The paper and project proposal will overview the intended research project, provide a review of relevant literature and a bibliography, and describe a timeline of execution. The proposal will be based upon one of the set of projects offered in the class.

Research paper/project (40%). The final paper will complete the work described in the proposal. It must have a clearly stated research thesis, background and related work, and a theoretical framework and must make real progress on the project requirements including working systems (if relevant). The paper will be evaluated on novelty, clarity, relevance, importance, and use of original research. Students should follow the Instructions for Authors for the journal Information Technologies and International Development; this paper will fall under the “Research Reports” category. Please see http://mitpress.mit.edu/ITID. In addition we expect to host a poster session; for this event you will compose your project outputs into a compelling poster presentation.

INITIAL SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND READINGS

Jan 8               Course Introduction

Illich, I. (1973). Tools for Conviviality. New York: Harper & Row. (chapter 2)

Miller, D., & Slater, D. (2001). The Internet: An Ethnographic Approach. Oxford, UK: Berg Publishers. (chapter 1)

Sissako, A. (Writer) (1998). Vie sur terre, La. France.

Sullivan, K. (2006, July 9). In War-Torn Congo, Going Wireless to Reach Home. Washington Post, p. A01.

United Nations. (2005). The Millennium Development Goals Report 2005. New York: The United Nations.
                       

Jan 15             Project roundups

Jan 22             Project roundups

Mar 11            Project Proposal Presentations

Mar 18            HOLIDAY

Apr 22             Final project presentations