Critical Social Inquiry 0140 - Surveillance in Digital Age

When Edward Snowden leaked classified documents detailing the U.S. government's extensive surveillance apparatus, uproar ensued. From critics who accused him of treason to supporters who were outraged by what the documents contained, Snowden became a polarizing figure who shed light on the massive reach of the NSA. In this 100-level course, we will examine the proliferation of surveillance in the digital age. We will historicize surveillance technologies, beginning with slavery and Foucault's theorization of the Panopticon to the quotidian surveillance of today. We will examine a wide range of topics, including visibility/invisibility, slavery, terrorism, migration and the state, privacy, incarceration, health, social media, data mining, biometrics, Wikileaks, participation, and policy. Together, we will work to define what surveillance means in the digital age, particularly as it relates to the politics of race, gender, sexuality, and capitalism. We will engage a variety of theoretical, historical, and popular texts, including documentary film, literature, and reality television. We will also address contemporary resistance to surveillance such as counter-surveillance and cultural/artistic responses.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.