IT 103: Rise and Influence of Digital Media

Overview

This course surveys the remarkable rise in importance of digital media in our everyday lives. It was barely 30 years ago when the personal computer muscled its way into our lives, and we were forced to learn a new language with acronyms such as DOS and RAM. If we are to survive in the business and cultural world today, we must be conversant with the personal computer and all the software that it runs. Consequently, the computer and all digital-based media have an enormous influence on our culture. Students in this course will examine the influence of digital media from the IPod to high-definition television and research its impact in the future. Students will use books and articles written on the subject to form their opinions and complete their course work.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Call upon a broad foundation of books, articles, and other research to discuss the influence of digital media in our culture.
• Examine the cultural, religious, and moral implications of the rapidly expanding use of digital media in almost every facet of our lives.
• Offer opinions about the continued rise of influence in the future, specifically as it affects religion, culture, language, and entertainment.

Required Texts
IT 103 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore