CSCI 2267 Technology and Culture
This interdisciplinary course will first investigate the social, political, psychological, ethical, and spiritual aspects of the Western cultural development with a special emphasis on scientific and technological metaphors and narratives. We will then focus on the contemporary world, examining the impact of our various technological creations on cultural directions, democratic process, the world of work, quality of life, and especially on the emergent meanings for the terms "citizen" and "ethics" in contemporary society. Students will explore technologies in four broad and interrelated domains: (1) computer, media, communications, and information technologies, (2) biotechnology, (3) globalization, and (4) environmental issues.
Course overview
- Department
- Computer Science
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Fall, Every Spring
Requirements fulfilled
- Computer Science B.A.: CSCI 2000-level-or-higher elective (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Environmental Studies: Concentration — Climate Change and Societal Adaptation: Two Upper-Level Social Sciences or Humanities Courses (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Mathematics B.S.: Natural science, computer science, or economics corequisites (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Computer Science B.S.: Social and ethical issues option (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.06 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.25 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 10
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | William Griffith | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 19 |
| Fall 2025 | William Griffith | 3.9 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 18 |
| Spring 2025 | William Griffith | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 29 |
| Fall 2024 | William Griffith | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 1–3 hrs/week | 31 of 35 |
| Spring 2024 | William Griffith | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 28 of 35 |
| Fall 2023 | William Griffith | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 30 of 33 |
| Spring 2023 | William Griffith | 3.8 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 26 of 33 |
| Fall 2022 | William Griffith | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 37 of 43 |
| Spring 2022 | William Griffith | 4.0 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 19 of 34 |
| Fall 2021 | William Griffith | 3.6 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 1–3 hrs/week | 22 of 37 |