Bertram C. Bruce: LIS 450 PT: Pragmatic technology

This course explores two senses of "pragmatic technology." One is the common language notion of technology that works to meet real human needs, accommodates to users, and is situated in time, place, and setting. The second is a conception of technology from pragmatist theory, in which technology is the means for resolving a problematic situation. The latter sees technologies as both means of action and forms of understanding. The course investigates philosophical and historical work such as that of J. Dewey, W. James, and C. S. Peirce, as well as more recent research on the social uses and implications of technologies. See also Inquiry Unit on pragmatism.

Students will gain an appreciation of the pragmatist tradition in philosophy and its many applications in areas of democratic processes, social action, education, technology, and organization theory. A key element will be learning how to apply pragmatist theories in analyzing ongoing, situated practice.

Week	Assignments	Readings	Activities
Aug 29	Bring in a question or comment from your reading of Hickman.	Read §§1 and §§2 of John Dewey's pragmatic technology. Hickman's presentation on the anniversary of Dewey's death is an excellent overview.	Introductions; Overview of the course; Discussion of Hickman reading; Dewey notes
Sep 5	Pick topics and readings	Become familiar with Prairienet by reviewing its website at http://www.prairienet.org. Also read the two articles on the Afya Project. Bishop, A. P., Mehra, B., Bazzell, I., & Smith, C. (2000, June). Socially grounded user studies in digital library development. First Monday, 5 (6). Bishop, A. P., Bazzell, I., Mehra, B., & Smith, C. (2001, April). Afya: Social and digital technologies that reach across the digital divide, First Monday, 6(4). Read Hickman §§3 and think about how Afya members are creating technologies as a way of altering and adapting to their world.	Ann leads discussion that presents an analysis of Prairienet and the Afya Project from a pragmatic perspective. Present and discuss students' chosen topics and readings. Negotiate course schedule based on students' interests.
Sep 12	Three annotated readings	Read §§3 from the West book.	Discussion of the annotated readings. The idea is that we'll be getting an overview of this field by delving into a range of readings.
Sep 19	Keywords	Read preface, §§9, and §§12 from Menand	Discussion of West and Menand Construct a diagram of the relationships among the keywords. Basic aim is to examine major concepts and people in the field of pragmatic technology Feedback on assignments Project updates and questions Set schedule, incl. Dewey readings
Sep 26		Read §§1 and one of §§11, §§12, or §§13 from Burke, et al.	Continue keyword discussion Discuss Burke readings leading to discussion of how one applies pragmatic technology analysis to practice Select Dewey readings for next two weeks
Oct 3	Template for session	Experience & education §§3-5, 8; The child & the curriculum
Oct 10		The public & its problems, one of §§4-6, Art as experience, §§1; Democracy & education, §§1
Oct 17		Science & human values (Kathleen); Performance and learning debate (Carey)
Oct 24		Computers & composition (Janine, Derek)
Oct 31	Site contribution (review, timeline, keywords, etc.)	Intellectual property as pragmatic technology (Eric)
Nov 7		Historical emergence of statistics (Gwen); Science and technology relationships and its consequences for society (Elizabeth)	individual experience vs. social site license
Nov 14		Situating Dewey's Pragmatic Technology: From knowing and idea to meaning and purpose (Steven)
Nov 21
Dec 5
Dec 12	Analysis of practice