The "City and Its Technology " course offers an in-depth exploration of the profound impact of modern technology on urban development and living. Students will explore core principles of tech-driven urban spaces, innovations reshaping urban transportation, and digital solutions
promoting urban sustainability. This curriculum covers technology's pivotal role in urban health,
security, environmental monitoring, and introduces developments like smart grids, self-maintaining infrastructures, and renewable energy solutions. As artificial intelligence and technological
advancements will rapidly change cities, students will engage in discussions on ethical, legal, and societal challenges, preparing them as informed leaders in urban technology. By the end of this course, students will understand the relationship between technology and urban development, with the aim to become ethical, innovative leaders in urban technology.
- Understand the role and impact of technology in various aspects of urban living and development.
- Analyze the ethical, societal, and legal implications of implementing technology in urban spaces.
- Develop practical skills through projects, enhancing problem-solving abilities and creative thinking.
- Prepare to engage with current and future urban challenges, contributing to sustainable, equitable, and efficient urban environments.
Course Texts: All readings and videos will be posted within weekly modules. Modules will be available 1 week before class.
Weekly Article/Video Homework (10%)
Each week, students will find one article or video discussing the theme of that upcoming week’s class, which will be due on Wednesdays by 5 pm. Come to class prepared to discuss your
article/video. Note, there are 12 weeks, but you only need to turn in 10 articles/videos.
Presentation (15%)
Students will do a 5–7-minute presentation about the article/video they found for class. The
presentation must include one dyad dialogue question that will be used during class discussion. A sign-up will be shared during the first week of class to select presentation dates.
Semester Assignments (4 x 10%)
Throughout the semester, students will write a short report on a city of their choosing and how that city is impacted by the topics discussed in class. Assignments are due on Fridays by 5 pm.
Semester Reflection (10%)
Throughout the semester, students will discuss challenges and opportunities for cities. This reflection will be an opportunity for students to discuss their opinions about technology and the city and how those opinions have changed over the course of the semester.
Final Project (15%)
The final project will be an analysis of technology as it relates to a city of the student’s choosing. The final project will be due April 30 at 5 pm.
Attendance/Participation (10%)
Class participation and attendance will help you to get the most of this course! It will make the content more meaningful, help with comprehension, and make the course more enjoyable. Attendance at all sessions is important. Students may miss 2 classes without penalty. With that said, please do not come to class sick. If you are sick and miss more than 1 class, please email me, and we will find a way to make up the class. Institute-excused absences should be communicated to me at least 48
hours ahead of time via email.
A rubric for all graded activities will be shared. Your final grade will be assigned as a letter grade according to the following scale:
A 90 – 100
B 80 – 89
C 70 – 79
D 60 – 69
F Under 60
Late Assignments:
Assignments will be submitted via Canvas unless otherwise indicated. Article/Video homework due by 5 pm on Wednesdays, and Assignments by Friday at 5 pm. However, if you submit it within 24
hours, I will still give you full credit. If you need to submit assignments more than 24 hours after the official due date, please reach out via email (or in class) and give me a timeline for when you intend to turn in the assignment.
Except under extenuating circumstances, work that is submitted after the 24-hour grace period without explanation will receive a 10% reduced credit, followed by a 10% reduction for each day afterward.
Class participation and attendance will help you to get the most of this course! It will make the content more meaningful, help with comprehension, and make the course more enjoyable. Attendance at all sessions is important. Students may miss 2 classes without penalty. With that said, please do not come to class sick. If you are sick and miss more than 1 class, please email me, and we will find a way to make up the class. Institute-excused absences should be communicated to me at least 48
hours ahead of time via email.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I understand human experiences and connections?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Intercultural Competence
- Perspective-Taking
- Persuasion