This course will investigate the relevance of gender, race and sexuality to understanding equity in technology and the development of new technologies. We will consider a range of questions including: What are some barriers in equity in Computer Science education? And how does an organization promote or impede inequality? In addition, this course will utilize methodologies which promote engagement with local communities to enhance civic knowledge and improve student civic skills.
Technology and Equity satisfies one of Science and Letters CORE categories required for a bachelor’s degree. A final grade of “PASS” is required.
Zoom link: make.sc/justine-zoom
Slack Channel: #hcs3131sp2021 This platform will be used for Q&As during check-in activities and burning questions your classmates can help clarify, e.g., “Where are the teaching slides?” or “What time is class again?”
My Personal Slack: @justinemeyr
If you have questions your classmates and TA (@Tyler Holland) have no answers to, e.g., “Am I on track to pass the course?” and/or emergency requests, e.g., “I have to leave class because of a fire.” DM me on slack.
You can expect a reply from me within 24-hours; Likewise, I expect a response from you within 24-hours if I messaged you about something important personally.
My Email:[email protected]
Course Delivery: online | 15 sessions
Course Credits: 4 units
By the end of the course, you will be able to ...
- Demonstrate an elevated understanding of equity in education and technology
- Enhance a critical understanding of intersectionality, including an awareness of gender and its complex intersections in relation to technology and computer science.
- Cultivate a language framework for thoughtfully articulating critical vocabulary and behaviours in relation to the field of gender, race, sexuality and women’s studies.
- Develop reading and writing skills through effective synthesis of written material. Practice conveying course concepts in a concise and clear manner both verbally and in writing.
Course Dates: Friday, January 22 – Friday, May 14, 2021 (17 weeks)
Class Times: Friday at 9:30am–12:30pm (15 class sessions)
| Class | Date | Topics | Homework |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri, Jan 22 | Introduction | Assignment 1 |
| 2 | Fri, Jan 29 | Mentorship Meeting 1 | Assigned reading and podcast |
| 3 | Fri, Feb 5 | Gender: Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging | Podcasts |
| 4 | Fri, Feb 12 | Guest Speaker: Justin Samuels | Podcasts and Readings |
| 5 | Fri, Feb 19 | A Culture of Inclusion | Podcasts 2 |
| 6 | Fri, Feb 26 | Librarian: Nnekay FitzClarke | Podcast Pitch |
| 7 | Fri, Mar 5 | Microagressions Workshop | Sign Up for Meetings |
| - | Fri, Mar 12 | No Class - Spring Break | |
| 8 | Fri, Mar 19 | Individual Meetings, No Class | |
| 9 | Fri, Mar 26 | Mentorship Meeting 2 & Guest Speaker | Self Reflection |
| - | Fri, Apr 2 | No Class - Good Friday | |
| 10 | Fri, Apr 9 | Podcast Pitch Class Presentations | Podcast Artwork |
| 11 | Fri, Apr 16 | Microaggressions Revisted, script writing | Podcast Script |
| 12 | Fri, Apr 23 | Algorithmic Justice and Peer Review | Peer Review |
| 13 | Fri, Apr 30 | Mentorship Meeting 3 | Podcast Peacetech Lab |
| 14 | Fri, May 7 | Engineering Peace | |
| 15 | Fri, May 14 | Podcasts/Presentations |
All assignments are due 9am PST on the due date stated
| Assignment | Date Assigned | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mentorship Agreement and Assignment 1 | Fri, Jan 22 | Wed, Jan 27 |
| Podcast Pitch | Fri, Feb 26 | Fri, March 5 |
| Podcast Pitch Presentation | Fri, Feb 26 | Fri, April 9 |
| RD Audio Recording | Fri, Mar 5 | Fri, Mar 26 |
| Self Reflection | Fri, Mar 26 | Fri, April 9 |
| Podcast Artwork | Fri, April 9 | Fri, April 16 |
| Podcast Script | Fri, April 9 | Fri, Apr 23, Apr 30 |
| Podcast and Reflection | Fri, Apr 23 | Fri, May 14 |
We will be using Gradescope, which allows us to provide fast and accurate feedback on your work. All assigned work will be submitted through Gradescope, and assignment and exam grades will be returned through Gradescope.
As soon as grades are posted, you will be notified immediately so that you can log in and see your feedback. You may also submit regrade requests if you feel we have made a mistake.
Your Gradescope login is your Make School email, and your password can be changed at https://gradescope.com/reset_password. The same link can be used if you need to set your password for the first time.
To pass this course you must meet the following requirements:
- Complete all formal assignments
- Actively participate in class and abide by the attendance policy
- Make up all classwork from all absences
- Participate in the Mentorship component of the course
- Complete all assignments with a minimum rubric score
| Assignments | Weight | Minimum Rubric Score |
|---|---|---|
| Participation: Attendance, active participation in zoom and in class google docs; online assignments, and reflections. Participation points will be allocated on a weekly basis. | 10% | N/A |
| Self Reflection Paper: Students will give feedback and write one reflective paper based on their attendance at Balboa High School’s Test Flight Review. Students are expected to meet a minimum score of 2-3 on the Written Communication Rubric. | 10% | 2-3 |
| Mentorship meetings: Students must participate in 2 virtual meetings with students at Balboa High School in order to pass the course. Students must come prepared with all necessary materials needed for the designated meetings. See Mentorship Agreement. | 20% | N/A |
| Presentations: Make School and Coaching: Students will present Make School to Balboa High School in a 20 minute presentation format in week 2 of class. In week 9, students will mentor Balboa High School students in their Test Flight Review. Students are expected to meet a minimum score of 2-3 on the Oral Communication Rubric | 20% | 2-3 |
| Final Podcast: Group Podcast on topics discussed by guest speakers, class readings, and personal experiences. Students are expected to meet a minimum score of 2-3 on the Digital Project Rubric | 40% | 2-3 |
Code of Conduct, Equity, and Inclusion
Make School nurtures attitudes and behaviors that promote global awareness, inclusivity, and respect for the dignity of each person regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, culture, political conviction, religion, or disability. We are committed to creating an environment in which every individual can work, study, and live without feeling excluded, unsafe, or harassed.
During classrooms discussions, you may encounter opposing and different views with your classmates, and that is totally fine. In fact, I welcome a diverse array of opinions. Part of a healthy discussion is being able to discuss those differences clearly and respectfully. Sometimes, you may think your classmates’ questions are “stupid,” but they deserve the same level of respect from you as you wish from them. You can expect me to be fair, and I will not tolerate any hate speech (e.g. any attacks on another person’s identity, background, life experiences) in class. If the need arises, I will respectfully ask you to leave the discussion/zoom room.
Make School’s desire to foster a professional environment that honors the freedom of expression is equally balanced with pursuit to create an inclusive living and learning environment.
Any additional resources you may need (online books, etc.) can be found here. You can also find additional resources through the library linked below:
- Program Learning Outcomes - What you will achieve after finishing Make School, all courses are designed around these outcomes.
- Grading System - How grading is done at Make School
- Code of Conduct, Equity, and Inclusion - Learn about Diversity and Inclusion at Make School
- Academic Honesty - Our policies around plagerism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct
- Attendance Policy - What we expect from you in terms of attendance for all classes at Make School
- Course Credit Policy - Our policy for how you obtain credit for your courses
- Disability Services (Academic Accommodations) - Services and accommodations we provide for students
- Online Learning Tutorial - How to succeed in online learning at Make School
- Student Handbook - Guidelines, policies, and resources for all Make School students