Hello, this assignment requires you to write a final paper based on my proposal. I have uploaded a description of the proposal in the instruction so that you can better understand this assignment, but you only need to write the final paper because I have already written the proposal. In addition, the sixth requirement of the assignment mentions that you need to cite three articles in class. I have uploaded some articles and you can choose three to cite. The third requirement of the assignment mentions that you need to cite some materials. You can find this material outside of class, but it must be reliable.
Speculative Future
Proposal Discussion – 15% draft July 30 for class discussion, final due by August 1
Final Paper: 35% Due by August 8 EXTENDED UNTIL AUGUST 12
In this assignment, you are asked to think of yourself as an inventor or an activist and to craft a research document on a speculative technology. You will need to engage with an existing or invented technology and provide a critical reflection that feeds on a position of cultural critique towards a social issue. For example, a technology that exists in response to a political event, or to combat the effects of a specific technology. What technologies are used by particular groups to solve contemporary issues?
Some ideas, but you may invent your own:
- Quantum computing
- Gig work (Uber, Fivrr, etc)
- Brain Computer Interfaces (neuralink)
- VR/AR/XR
- Space Tourism
- AI generated artwork or writing
- Medical advancements
- Internet Censorship
- Any other technology that exists, OR an invented technology that exists in response to something else.
It will help to think of this issue within a social or political context, some examples:
- Global warming or climate change
- Social or political unrest
- Social issues (gender, racial, identity issues)
- Economic issues
- Health or natural disasters
- Any other context that interests you that may effect a small or larger group of people.
You may use Thing From The Future, or create a technology based on an idea you already have. How can political or social needs create a need for a technology or tool, and what are its impacts?
Proposal & discussion:
You will be asked to submit a written proposal for your final work and engage the class in discussion. You should incorporate peer feedback into your proposal. Your proposal should be used to craft your final work.
Draft a 1 page proposal to share with your peers in class for July 30th
Submit the final on August 1st
Submit a 1 page (500 word .PDF) proposal that indicates:
- A title
- What technology are you imagining or inventing. Indicate its current state or the need for it to be invented.
- A clear statement about WHO, WHEN, and WHAT problems are being solved. Be very specific. These people may be linked by a social or political link, cultural, age, geographical, gender identity, ability or other context.
- Pick a time scale, 1, 10, 100 years in the future. Keep in mind, far future speculations are difficult to situate in reality.
Upload to a PDF to Quercus latest by August 1 at 11:59.
We will have class discussions for feedback July 30.
Due: August 1 at 11:59pm
Final document:
Using the proposal, flesh out this speculation into a larger paper that explores the social or cultural issues embedded in the technology they are exploring and how they will evolve in the future.
Your document should include:
- an original title;
- One (1) images of your project with short captions for each. You can draw, photograph, use AI, or any other way of producing images. Indicate how this image was produced.
- an introduction that contextualizes the problem your invention addresses (400 words, include references from your own research about the technology and discourse);
- a brief explanation of your speculation (400 words), what is the context you are imagining? How far in the future and what is occurring?
- two (2) social and or cultural questions that can be formulated because of your design (200 words ). These can be ethical or political questions, or other concerns.
- a critical reflection on how this problem is affecting society mobilizing three (3) texts from the first 4 weeks the syllabus. Explore how this technology impacts various groups, evolves over time. Consider who uses it, who doesn’t, who makes it, what it was invented to solve, if it fails or has unintended consequences (700 words, with references);
- a concluding paragraph with your own opinion or concerns. (300 words);
- a bibliography.
Rubric:
10 points The technology and problem is contextualized. There are 2 clear questions that relate specifically to this technology and the issues it may create.
10 points The student has linked work clearly to class assignment and understood the discourse around the technology. The student has referenced 3 texts from the class and clearly utilized them in this paper.
10 points The student has made clear speculations about the future and how the technology will evolve. The speculations are grounded in current discourse.
5 points – references, images and formatting