WS 444D (1SY) - Cyborgs, Avatars, and Feminists: Gender in the Virtual World

Cyborgs, Avatars, & Feminists

Credits: 4.0
Term: Spring 2021 - Full Term (02/01/2021 - 05/11/2021)
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
Class Size:   15  
CRN: 55971
Utilizing feminist theoretical and critical investigations of gender and techno culture, students explore women's popular and theoretical conceptions of cyberspace. Students explore numerous digital communication systems within cyberspace and examine how and why a diversity of women utilize these systems. This course provides students with the opportunity to investigate the impact that advancements in virtual technology have in the lives of women.
Department Approval Required. Contact Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.
Only listed campus in section: Durham, Manchester
Only listed classes in section: Freshman, Sophomore
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course, Scheduled meeting time, Online (no campus visits), Inquiry (Discovery), EUNH, Environment,Tech&Society(Disc)
Instructors: STAFF

Times & Locations

Start Date End Date Days Time Location
2/1/2021 5/11/2021 TR 3:40pm - 5:00pm ONLINE
Additional Course Details: 

We hear lots of calls these days to "build back better." Feminist activists and scholars have had a lot to say about what a "better" world should look like, and they are making innovative use of the Internet and digital tools to make their case. In this course, we'll study the various forms of digital feminism (hashtag campaigns, selfie culture, hackathons, etc.) while also reading the work of feminist scholars who analyze the power structures in which these digital forms are embedded (including patriarchy, capitalism, settler colonialism, systemic racism and ableism).  Because this class is Writing Intensive (WI) you'll do a lot of writing to discover and articulate your own visions; and because it fulfills your Environment, Technology and Society (ETS) requirement, you'll use and evaluate several different digital tools and platforms (from common ones like WordPress and Twitter to more complex ones like Wikipedia and Twine).  Class will meet on Zoom most Tuesdays, but if you need to take this course asynchronously, you may. If you have any questions, contact Siobhan.Senier@unh.edu