Data Analytics and Computation 695DL - S-Communication, Tech & Work

Since the onset of the information technology revolution, labor and modes of work have changed. All around us we see examples of new forms of work, from Uber/Lyft driving to Amazon's Mechanical Turk, alongside shifts in longstanding forms of like factory work and manufacturing where automation seems to be the future. This course will examine the different ways that communication and digital technologies are shaping notions of work and labor. We will engage with ongoing debates on topics such as the sharing economy (e.g. Uber/Lyft driving), microwork (e.g. Amazon Mechanical Turk), microcelebrity (e.g. YouTube and Instagram stardom), tech entrepreneurship both in Silicon Valley and other parts of the world, as well as the work that goes into making popular consumer technologies like the iPhone. We will draw on research from communication studies, digital technology studies/internet studies, sociology, and history of technology to examine various forms of labor and work as they continue to evolve alongside technological changes. By the end of the course, you should have a critical understanding of the economic and social forces underlying shifts in digital labor, communication, technology, and work. The coursework includes digital assignments, reading responses, and a semester- long research project/paper.

An additional discussion group will also be added for graduate students. Open to DACSS students only. Contact dacss@umass.edu if interested in registering for this course.