Internet and Society

Through an exploration of issues such as digital piracy, online privacy, hacking, fake news, lolcats, and viral videos, students will examine what it means to live in the internet age. Students in this course will develop critical thinking skills alongside digital and information literacy skills and have the freedom to study subjects that interest them, e.g. website development, bitcoin, or the impact of cell phones on teens. The course allows students to take a “beginner,” “intermediate,” or “expert” path through
the class, and by the end of the course, all students will have gained a better under-standing of the internet and its impact on society. Daily access to the internet is generally required to complete assignments, but students without internet at home can work with the instructor to plan for access.