Two women wiring the right side of the ENIAC with a new program, in the "pre- von Neumann" days. "U.S. Army Photo" from the archives of the ARL Technical Library. Standing: Ester Gerston Crouching: ?Gloria Gorden from Michael Muuss' collection of Historic Computer Images

WMST390A Cybergrrls and Wired Women: Gender & Information Technology
Fall 2000, MW 2-3:15 pm, Social Sciences 110  Dr. Sandra Shattuck  FA 452, x2822
 

This course investigates the ways in which issues regarding gender and information technology intersect and conflict, collaborate and transform. We will focus our study through the lens of two big questions: 1) What does a feminist analysis of information technology look like? and 2) How has information technology affected women and girls?

We'll begin with a collective examination of the terms feminism and information technology, always keeping in mind the specifics of history and culture, as well as the following question:  In what ways does the technology of information duplicate sexism while also offering possibilities for resistance and transformation?

Although this course relies heavily on computer mediated communication (e-mail, class list, websites, educational MOO), it is also designed for all levels of computer literacy, from the technophobe to the techliterate. Ownership of a personal computer is not a requirement for participation.

first published: march 2000
last revised: 4 august 2000
send comments: shattuck@umbc.edu