CoHI200C: Communication and the Individual - Spring, 2002
Wednesday 3-6 (note time change)- MCC 201 (Schiller Seminar Room)
Prof. Leigh Star 4-6327 lstar@ucsd.edu
Office hours by appointment

Introduction. This class is the third required first-year Comm graduate seminar, representing the Human Information Processing (HIP) part of the curriculum. We will closely read four texts that challenge traditional notions of cognition and knowing. The texts are written by authors from a variety of traditions: cognitive anthropology, cybernetics, psychiatry, symbolic interactionist sociology, history, information science and philosophy. All seek ways to talk about knowing that are material (practice, objects, structures, sensual) and situated (historically and culturally located, specifically linked to sites and times of action, drawing on local resources). All consider abstraction a problematic achievement. All are rebels writing against idealist, reified, and naturalized ideas of cognition.

Requirements: Four book reports of 5-7 (1250-1750 words) pages are required. Class participation in the form of leading critiques and discussions on specific book chapters or articles are required. Grading: 75% book reports, 25% class participation.

Syllabus
April 3. Introduction to class.
April 10. Strauss, Part I. Introduction and Chapters 1-5; Dewey article.
April 17. Strauss, Part II. Chapters 6-11.
April 24. NO CLASS – reading catchup and prep day.
May 1. Bateson, Part I. Parts 1-3 and Introduction. Book Report on Strauss due.
May 8. Bateson, Part II. Parts 4-6 and Star and Ruhleder article.
May 15. Verran, Part I. Chapters 1-5; Lave article. Book Report on Bateson due.
May 22. Verran, Part II. Chapters 6-11.
May 29, Bowker and Star, Part I. Chapters 1-5. Verran Book Report due.
June 5, Bowker and Star, Part 11, Chapters 6-10. One makeup Session TBA. Bowker and Star Book Report due.