Page:

1
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1.

Student Answer:

controlled planting of crops.

development of irrigation systems.

Week 1 Lecture.
Points Received:

domestication of animals.

All of the above. Instructor Explanation:See the

0 of 5

Comments:

2.

Student Answer:

science begins with general theory then moves to phenomena.

with phenomena then moves to general conclusions.

theory.

logic begins

mathematics moves from the specific to the

scientific inquiry starts with the phenomena and ends in theory. Instructor

Explanation:See the Week 1 Lecture.

Points Received:

5 of 5

Comments:

3.

Student Answer:

new enclosure laws in rural areas.

a shift from household production to

factory production.
a growing dependence upon steam power.
Explanation:See the Week 2 Lecture.
Points Received:
Comments:

5 of 5

All of the above. Instructor

4.

Student Answer:

the widespread introduction of mechanical clocks from China.

the loss of

influence of the Catholic church.

the impact of a fully integrated railroad system.
the growth
of commercialized farming in the 20th century. Instructor Explanation:See the textbook, page 43.
Points Received:

5 of 5

Comments:

5.

Student Answer:

It is dynamic and ever-changing.

It is collaborative.

It can

involve music, poetry, video, and stories.

It relies on the talents of trained
professional artists. Instructor Explanation:See the Week 4 Lecture.
Points Received:

5 of 5

Comments:

6.

Student Answer:

relationship.

an inevitable consequence of technical changes.

necessary in a modern world.

preferred by workers over a human supervisor.

Instructor Explanation:See the textbook, page 86.

Points Received:
Comments:

7.

0 of 5

a reflection of a political

Student Answer:

the urban proletariat.

number of factory workers.

Week 2 Lecture.
Points Received:

the land-owning aristocracy.

the growing

the wealthy middle classes. Instructor Explanation:See the

5 of 5

Comments:

8.

Student Answer:

Journal of the American Medical Association

http://journalofaccountancy.com
Explanation:See the Week 1 Tutorial.
Points Received:

Chicago Tribune

www.econlib.org Instructor

5 of 5

Comments:

9.

Student Answer:

that they require rare and expensive materials.

to highly protected information.

they are only in the hands of a few.
replicate. Instructor Explanation:See the textbook, page 293.
Points Received:
Comments:

10
.

5 of 5

that developers need access

their ability to self-

Student Answer:

social isolation.

increased threats to privacy.

Lecture.
Points Received:

blurring of our public and private lives.

All of the above Instructor Explanation:See the Week 3

5 of 5

Comments:

Page:

1
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1.

Student Answer:Ruth Schwartz Cowan examines technologies in the context of technological systems.
As per him, Large-scale technological systems are linked with one another, often in relationships of
mutual interdependence. If we look at todays urban transportation systems, they heavily depend on the
power generating company, steel industry, Infrastructure sector for roads and bridges. If we just look at
internet, we find there are vast numbers of computer networks creating a sort of matrix where the data
is being transmitted through this complex network. These are all can be termed as technological
systems in the words of Cowan. As per the textbook, Technological systems can be understood by
understanding its several interacting aspects: (1) skills, techniques, human activity-forms, or
sociotechnical practices; (2) resources, tools, and materials; (3) technological products, or artifacts; (4)
ends, intentions, or functions; (5) background knowledge; and (6) the social contexts in which the
technology is designed, developed, used, and disposed of. These six aspects are present in every
technology. Human activity-form - If we look at any technological system, this involves both the skills of
the people as well as the process of doing things. No technological system can just work because the
operator is knowledgeable as it also requires multiple processes, best practices and several other
procedures on how to do that activity. Resources, tools, and materials - We also need the
resources/tools or equipments to execute those tasks. Manufacturing of automobile involves various
engineering tools, CNC machines, CAD/CAM systems. So, in addition to human capital, we also require
the industrial capital/equipments for the technological systems to work. Technological products, or

artifacts - Using these human skills and technological tools, we create the final product which is called
the technological product or artifacts such as Automobile, Computer, Aeroplane etc. Ends, intentions, or
functions - All these artifacts get used by someone or it can be used by other industries. E.g.
Refrigerator, washing machines get used by the Housewives. Similarly, Computer and other CAM devices
get used in the manufacturing of various industrial equipments. Background knowledge - Background
knowledge consists of domain knowledge, various other knowledge of surroundings, laws, accountancy
etc. This helps in the technological systems to function. Social context - This refers to the human
organization of labor as well as the societal context in which the technological systems function. Planners
need to understand all of the above aspects of technological system for it to function well. Planners
always need to know if the specific knowledge is existing in the market before they even start thinking of
creating a massive technological system. They need to take into account all the acccompanying
industrial tools, equipments which would be required to producing those technological artifacts. They
also have to understand the customer's requirements or for what purpose those artifacts would be used.
They need to be aware of all the laws relate to those technical artifacts, their usage patterns,
environmental effects and various other background knowledge. Finally they need to know the social
surroundings and context in which these artifacts or technological system would be used. For example,
Railroads in America changed the way people traveled and connected the east and west coast and it
gave birth to a transcontinental culture. So, it is important that planners have a view about how it will be
used and what societal elements would be involved. In case of the railroad system, it impacted most of
the American population. Current example of a technological system would be Construction and
Infrastructure technological system. If we look at todays Construction and infrastructure technologies
and the technologies used in building structures for building, industries and societies, we find that there
are multiple interacting aspects that create this technological system such as: (1) skills, techniques,
human activity-forms Construction workers, project managers and Corporate/industrial builders (2)
Resources, tools, and materials Construction tools, Earth-movers and Excavators, Building materials
such as cement, stones and sand. (3) Technological products, or artifacts Transportation involved,
Power/energy required for construction (4) Ends, intentions, or functions This is supposed to create
building where individuals can live or businesses can be run (5) Background knowledge - Construction
material knowledge, Construction knowledge, Project Management Knowledge (6) Social contexts in
which the technology is designed, developed, used, and disposed of Labor/Human Resources used in
the construction, Project managers and Top management, Infrastructure experts, Organization and
creation of roles/responsibilities to complete the construction project on time. References: Morton E.
Winston and Ralph D. Edelbach. (2012). Society, Ethics, and Technology. 4th Edition. Belmont CA:
Wadsworth Group/Thompson Learning. Instructor Explanation:Student must do more than quote

Cowan. He or she must demonstrate an understanding by providing an example that is not in the
reading. Comparisons (e.g., Internet to the railroad) can be made.
Points Received:

50 of 50

Comments:

2.

Student Answer:I would take the author Wajcman and Winner and try to compare their views on the
impact of technology on a culture. In this context, it would be important to understand Wajcman's
critique of technological determinism. Technological determinism leads us to believe that technology is
the sole purpose in social evolution. This means technological advances causes society to adapt
according to it uses and characteristics. Wajcman views the relationship between technology and social

change as a symbiotic relationship wherein technology and society co-evolve with each influencing the
other. She believes that technological change is shaped by the social circumstances within which it takes
place. So, her view is not single sided and she thinks that society also effects the technological path as
much as the technology determines the evolution of the society. She takes many examples to illustrate
how common technological artifacts have evolved as a result of various social factors often in ways not
envisioned by their designers. She provides several examples of how familiar artifacts, such as the
microwave oven and the VCR, have been shaped by social values of the users of these devices.
Technology can be used for multiple purposes good or bad. Facebook is a great social media tool but the
same can be used to propagate false beliefs and propaganda. There are numerous example in our
society where technology can be counter-productive e.g. computer virus attack, using technology to
develop weapons of mass destruction etc. Science is not just about the inventions and new discovery of
theory and concepts but it is also important to understand the environments or social
surrounding/context in which these inventions or experiments are conducted. So, technology is a result
of interaction of social elements and technology. The design of this kitchen white good was also shaped
by the post-Second World War spread of single-family houses. If we look at the today's miniaturization
of storage devices, it is very much influenced by the need of people to carry small devices wherever they
can. The computer sizes have shrunk from massive sizes to a small hand held devices and all these were
influenced by the societal needs. Societal values, beliefs and debate around use of nano-technology,
genetically modified organisms and robotics are surely going to shape the next genre of technology. In
that sense, it is not just the technology shaping the society but society also has a vital role in the choice
and development of technology. She also argues against that the technology has led to the men-centric
society where they derive power form the usage of technology. She counters this point of view by taking
examples of various women technology writers such Donna Haraway and Sherry Turkle who embrace
technology and Wajcman sees the social shaping of computing and biotechnology as means for womens
empowerment. Winner on the other hand argues that technology can be used by people to affect the
political relationship in the society or the work place. He points out that humans use technology to
control others' actions. Technology is emerging and to a great extent controlling our actions and
relationships to others in the society and the way we relate to others in the society or the workplace.
This can be seen in our workplace where technology is used to control people behavior e.g. technology
has been used to supervise employees actions, his work activities during the office hours. Not just the
workplace, but technology such as facebook and other media sites are being increasingly used in
elections, voting and other such societal/political fields. Facebook and Twitter are also being used to
make friends and interacting in a virtual world. Probably, today if a teenager doesn't have a facebook
account, he doesn't have friends. He also raises the question if this is the right usage of technology.
Special interests like men's centrism could have led to monopolization of technology and making it men
centric at least during the initial phases of technological development but this is counter-argued by
Wajcman. But surely, development/design of white goods were influenced by the housewives. Societal
interest around use of nano-technology, genetically modified organisms and robotics are going to shape
the next genre of technology. These can't be termed as special interest but surely societal interest would
pave the path for future technological development. Also, the corporation economic profit making intent
and other scientific coimmunity's interest have been pretty much instrumental in the development of the
technology or at least the course of technology that it has taken. Cerrtainly, from development of 3wheeled car to Ford's Black Car to current various models/types of cars e.g. economy/sports/high
fashioned/styled cars were influenced by different interest groups. References: Morton E. Winston and
Ralph D. Edelbach. (2012). Society, Ethics, and Technology. 4th Edition. Belmont CA: Wadsworth
Group/Thompson Learning. Instructor Explanation:Look for an understanding that context is important.

Cowan, Landes, and Winner are pretty clear choices. Wajcman is more challenging, but very doable.
Could easily work a critique of determinism into this one.

3.

Points Received:

50 of 50

Comments:

Good essay Tannica.

Student Answer:The recording industry utilizes digital systems for the recording of sounds in CDs and
other such devices around 10-15 years ago. Because usage of such technology, the quality of sound has
improved a lot and also the old recordings could be converted in the digital format which has led to an
overall expansion of the market and repurchase of the old recordings. Technology has also affected the
copyright in this industry. "Users armed with this technology have taken material from the public
domain, so making it unavailable to other artists and follow-on creators. This process is referred to by
Lessig as the locking down and appropriation of culture, a process that some argue will lead to a lack of
diversity and choice. The folk song The Legend of Tom Dula (Dooley) is one of the best known examples
of this appropriation. This song had been freely available to generations of folk singers until it was
captured in a recording. The recording was transcribed and copyright was claimed, the song was no
longer in the public domain." (Jones,2009). In that sense, the technology has led to expansion of
copyright and commercialization. Sound recording technology is the key in the sound production and
perception that distinguish recording from live performance. It has had influence on the development of
jazz. The sound manipulation techniques are the common practice in pop music production and
performance. The advent of recording technology has made it possible for anyone with a song to make a
decent recording. Though this is good for the amateur artist as they get an instant visibility and their
recording can be seen/downloaded by many in the internet world. It is no more confined to people with
access to studio or instruments. Also, the internet technology has brought the access of music much
easier and less expensive. Lot of time, they can simply download the music free. There are negative
effects of the technology also as people are now stealing recorded music and so it has led to decrease in
the Album sales. The professional musician are the ones who are getting most impacted because of the
piracy and stealing of music. Now there are many companies involved in the music industry such as
Apple ITunes, Napster and others who are making a lot of money by distribution and monetization of
music. So, the days of album sales are getting over and the money has shifted from the album sales or
professional artists to these mega companies who are able to make use of the information technology's
power to store, compress and distribute the music. Technological changes and improvements has
certainly increased the company's ability to make profits from recordings and songs as they have
become more pervasive to general public. Also, it has increased the no. of artists in the market and
lower calibre artists and more nos. of artists have greatly benefitted form the technological changes in
the recording and music industry. The file sharing of the music has also influenced the sharing of the
ideas and techniques on how to improve upon the music recording. The technological effect of recording
industry is not going to change the art form. Human element or the calibre of professional artists are
going to matter in recordings. Recording engineers can manipulate performances using whatever
technology they have, but the feel and ideal concept of music is the key for teh success of professional
musicians and I don't think that it is going to be affected by the technology as much. There is going to
be a lot more collaboration and sharing of the know-how among the artists in the future which is going
to be good for the music as an art and also the new artsist have to be not just good in music or
recording but also need to be techno-savvy or at least understand the nuances of technoloy, file sharing
and distribution. As the success of the artists are going to be determined by all these factors.
References: Jones, Richard. (2009). Technology and the cultural appropriation of music. International
Review of Law, Computers & Technology, Volume 23, Issue 1-2, pp. 109 - 122 Instructor
Explanation:Students can explore all sorts of things from auto tuning to sampling. They can mention

democratization of the industry by using different avenues of distribution- YouTube, iTunes, and CDs.
Trends? Standards? Professionalism? Ownership?
Points Received:

50 of 50

Comments:

Good.