RTF 331N Information Society-W

Unique No. TBA

Faculty: TBA Class Time: MWF 12-1 Room: CMA 3.124

Writing Comp: Yes Comm/Culture Req: No

Closing Limit: 35 Cross-listed: TLC 331

Prerequisites

Must be an RTF major with a UT GPA of at least 2.25 and have upper-division standing. The following coursework with a grade of at least C: RTF 305, RTF 309, and 6 additional semester hours of lower-division coursework in RTF.

Consent requirements

This course does not require consent. Registration is open via TEX to all RTF majors.

First class day policy

Students must attend the first class day or make prior arrangements with the instructor.

Course description

This course is designed to provide an overview of what is commonly termed the "Information Society." In addition to reviewing the characteristics defining the Information Society, we will survey fundamental economic principles accruing to information services and products, demarcating them from other conventional economic commodities in several ways. We will examine particular information industries (for example, the movie business, the insurance business, the telemarketing business, the database business, as well as others) in detail, and gauge their contribution to the economy in dollar terms as well as cultural terms. One final research paper and several homework assignments will be required, along with regular reading and class preparation.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Offer varied interpretations of the concept of the information society and trace their connections to alternative notions about how technology interacts with society;

Understand how certain telecommunications and computer-based systems operate;

Understand these systems’ applications in several sectors of the economy;

Be able to articulate and take a position on some of the ethical questions raised by the pervasiveness and intrusiveness of information technology;

Apply fundamental concepts about information and economics to the introduction of new technologies.