NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL
Originator	Randy Stoecker, x4975, mailto:randy.stoecker@utoledo.edu
College	Arts and Sciences
Department	SOCIOLOGY and ANTHROPOLOGY
Level	Undergraduate MINOR
Program Name	SOCIAL INFORMATICS
Description and Justification	The minor in Social Informatics will focus on helping students understand the social influences on and social consequences of information and communication technologies. This is a new and emerging field of study, with new programs springing up around the world. Particularly as all of us spend more time with cell phones, PDAs, personal computers, and other associated technology, we need to understand how to shape that use to the greatest social benefit. In addition, as we train students to become the designers and managers of this technology, we need to also help those students engage in their design and management activities with a social systems perspective. Thus, this minor may become especially beneficial for those students whose career paths will emphasize technology design and management. All students will be required to demonstrate basic and specialized computer literacy (see attached description for Internship in Communication Information Technology).
Curriculum	The minor will be 21 credits, composed of the following courses: SOC 2010: Sociology of the Internet (3 credits, existing course)—focuses on the social influences and consequences of the Internet, and provides students with training in web page design. SOC 4210: Community Informatics (3 credits, new course)—see attached description SOC 4580: Science, Technology, and Social Change (3 credits, existing course)—focuses on the impact of rapidly changing science and technology on North American society: social change in a technological age; and the emergence of postindustrial society. SOC 4220: Theories of the Information Society (3 credits, new course) —see attached description SOC 4230: Internship in Community Information Technology (3-6 credits, new course) —see attached description Electives (3-6 credits in Sociology with approval of the advisor)—because students may emphasize various aspects of technology, such as gender, or work, or medicine, the electives will provide students the flexibility to focus on their particular interests related to information and communication technologies.
Similarity to Other Programs	None