Adjunct Professor: Nathan Freitas
Wednesday 06:30pm to 9:30pm
Fall 2011 / ITP
We all know how mobile phones and ubiquitous computing have changed communication and networking in our personal lives, but do you understand the affect they have had on political and social justice movements around the world? More importantly, do you know how this has been done, so that you can apply these techniques when your own moment to raise your voice comes? While Obama’s Vice-Presidential SMS announcement was a milestone for politics in the U.S., activists and organizations around the world have been using mobile, portable communications technology for years to get their message out, organize their communities, safely communicate under authoritarian eyes and save lives in times of crisis. Through studying historic, global uses of mobile technology and then teaching you how to use and apply these techniques, this course will give you the power 2B THE CHNG U WNT 2 C.
This course will study and apply the use of SMS capture and broadcast systems, mobile crisis & event reporting tools (Ushahidi, VoteReport), Bluetooth broadcast systems, pirate Wifi mesh nodes, helmet-cam mobile phones and more. The course will also study about security and privacy of mobile phones and the possibility for open-source telephony. While the focus will be on the cutting edge, we’ll also review the historic importance of police scanners, HAM radio, walkie talkie radios and other “old school” tools that have played important roles in the civil rights movement, the environmental movement and more.
Actual organizations, causes and activists will be invited to speak to the class (both in-person and via Skype from around the world) to offer their stories and observations. Opportunities to work on projects with these causes will be presented to students. Some experience programming mobile devices will be useful, but not necessary. Experience in setting up at least one web server/application or blog system preferred. Having a cause you work or identify with or at least something you care about will be very important.
Important Resources:
Syllabus (this page): http://openideals.com/itp2800/fall2011
Mailing List / Group: TBD
Administrative:
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (by request)
Grading:
(75% or less is a failing grade. See ITP Pass/Fail rules for more info.)
Attendance:
Mandatory, unexcused absences will effect your final grade. If you are going to be absent, please let me know ahead of time if you can.
Tardiness:
Excessive lateness will effect your grade. Don’t be late.
Tech in Class:
Laptop use is prohibited while other students are presenting or during discussion. While I am lecturing you may use them for note taking or class related work. In other words, respect your fellow students and don’t check your email/tweets/streams.
As this is a class focus on the use of mobile technology, use of mobile devices during class to take notes, document speakers and so on will be highly encouraged. However, the same rules apply – don’t check your texts or call your buddies.
Augmented reality and other wearable computing devices, especially really nerdy ones or invisible/stealthy ones are allowed 100% of the time.
Class Format: This class is a combination of a survey and workshop. Students will be lectured on the history and usage of specific mobile technologies in social activism. Each week will also feature one or more guest expert speakers (either live or remote via video/audio link) to provide real world, first-hand accounts of the application in the field for specific causes. Each student will pick a cause of their own to affiliate with for the entire semester. Homework, papers, midterms and final projects will all be within context of and applicable to this cause.
Weekly Rundown:
Week 1 – September 7 – Introduction
In class:
Assignment:
Reading:
http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations1c31.html
Week 2 – September 14 The Power of 160 Characters: SMS,Twitter; Revolutions and Politics #WIN vs #FAIL
In class:
Assignment:
Reading:
Week 3 – September 21 Understanding Mobile Network Topology & How to Subvert It
In Class
Assignment:
Reading:
Week 4 – Sept 28 Cameras Everywhere: Opportunities & Challenges in Human Rights Video
Once upon a time, video cameras were rare. Now they are ubiquitous—as are the opportunities to share, use, and re-use video. What are the limits and possibilities of an ethics of openness when it comes to human rights footage?
In Class
Assignment
Reading:
Week 5 – October 5 - Mapping a Crisis in Real-Time
InClass
Assignment
Reading
Week 6 - October 12 - Geek Out and Hands-on Development
In Class
Assignment
Reading
Week 7 – October 19 - Non-Violent Hardware
In Class
Assignment
Week 8 – October 26 Midterm Workshop / Early Feedback
Week 9 – November 2 Show/Use/Experience Midterms
Week 10 – November 9 – Can You Hear Me Now?
In Class
Assignment
Week 11 – November 16 - Open Mobile Government
In Class
Assignment
Week 12 – November 23 - Revolution 2020
In Class
Assignment
Reading
Week 13 – November 30 Final Project Workshop
Week 14 – December 7 Final Projects Showtime