Much recent fiction, film and theory are concerned with representing the Internet and technological development. While technology is frequently considered to be gender and race neutral, the ways in which it is depicted and deployed reflect the ideologies of developers and participants. This course will examine how virtual media is sexed, raced, and gendered in cultural discourses. Our analysis will center on the ways in which race and gender and sexuality are represented, imagined, stereotyped. Guiding questions will include the following: What are the dominant narratives about the Internet and computer based technologies? What and how are these assumptions deployed via the Internet? How have virtual technologies challenged experiences of language, gender, community and identity? This class includes lab work, electronic discussion, and internet participation through YouTube. In addition, there will be guest speakers/lab teachers. Note: our task is to study cultural aspects of electronic communication, so no previous production or design experience is necessary.
