Black Mirror - Cultural Representations of Technology

Catalog description

Advances in technology raise a variety of fascinating ethical, cultural, and societal questions often resulting in uncertainties and unanticipated dilemmas. This course provides an opportunity to explore how cultural representations of technology are reflected in society and inform continued technical advancements. Using episodes from Black Mirror - a British anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker - we will explore the depictions of technology and society and its representation. This course will challenge you to think critically about technological change and controversial topics surrounding digital culture and social impact. You will also develop a more sophisticated understanding of the political, economic, and cultural considerations that underlie technological development. Discussions of episodes will be supplemented by popular, critical texts and academic articles. This class is more seminar-based, rather than lecture-based. We will engage critically and constructively in key debates that shape the future of the technology, through in-class discussions, activities, and presentations.