Written Reports

There are six (6) written reports that students will submit as part of the course requirements. The topics of these reports and their guidelines are explained below. Each report will be based on the material covered for the week. Check the course schedule for the weeks topic. For example, the first report will be based on the subject covered in Week 1on redefinitions of technology and theories regarding gender and technology.
All reports will be team based--i.e. each team will submit a report they have worked on collectively. Each team submits one (1) report each time. These reports will be researched, worked on and written IN CLASS on Thursdays. Lap tops will be provided both on Tuesdays and Thursdays and may be used for taking notes and for writing up the reports. Students may use their own laptops.

General Instructions:

Format: All reports should be written using Microsoft Word and sent as attachments via email to the instructor. The instructor's email address is plin123@gmail.com. No paper copies will be accepted.
  • All reports must list the names of team members and the section of the report for which each team member is responsible.
  • Final grades for the reports will be based on five reports. The report with the lowest grade will not be counted.
  • Email the report as an attachment. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR REPORT ON THE EMAIL FORM.
Grading Criteria:
  • The report addresses the main points required of the assignment.
  • The report is well organized in terms of its exposition and arguments
  • Ideas and describtions of technologies are clearly and simply conveyed.
  • The report follows rules of grammar, punctuation and citation.Rules for citing sources from the internet should also be followed.
  • Reports include illustrations, diagrams or schemata of technologies that are described in the reports.

Report Topics:

General:

Information for these reports can be found in your readings of the text and those posted in the Readings section of this web site. URLS for information on women and technology can also be found in the Resources section of the course web site.
  • Report 1: What are some of the principle theories regarding gender and women's role in the development of technology? How have we looked at technology, its significance and its development? (See "Introduction:Women Hold Up Half the Sky" in Mothers and Dughters of Invention.) What is "Inventive capability" and how has the socialization of girls and boys been a factor in the involvement of women with technology? See guidelines for Report 1
  • Report 2:Identify the followinbg theories: What is the "Takeover Theory?" Identify how the takeover theory was manifest over time particularly in western cultures. Describe the argument behind Karl Marx's theory oc class conbflict. How does Karl Marx's theory of class conflict apply to gender relations? Describe Sanday's proposition behind the idea fo the "Matriarchy Perplex." See: Guidelines for Report 2
  • Report 3: Select ONE of these areas: food processing, production, and preparation or domestic products. Address some of the key issues associated with technologies in the area you have chosen. What factors about agriculture allowed women to be actively engaged in inventions associated with food production, inventing farm implements, tools,machines,food preparation etc., ? Provide a brief biographical account of each woman and describe both the workings and significance of their inventions. For this and other assignments you may find it helpful to go to the U.S. Patent Office site and use their search engine to find particular names and inventions.Identify key inventions by women in the are you have chosen. Describe the significance of their contributions to the area you have chosen. See: Guidelines for Report 3
  • Report 4: Select One of these areas: medicine and healing, OR technologies of sex, fertility and fertility control. Identify how the "Takeover Theory" has operated historically in the area you have chosen. Identify three key technologies invented by women in the area you have chosen and propose your reasons as to their importance. See: Guidelines for Report 4
  • Report 5: What are the machines of the 19th century that are considered to be "landmark machines? What 19th century contributions by women have equal significance but ahve been overlooked? What are the categories of 20th century machines that have been identified in your text? What significant contributions to these categories thave women have made? Guidelines for Report 5
  • Report 6:Who are the significant women in the computer/digital revolution. Describe their accomplishments. How will a Gendered Paradigm Shift affect the future of AI and robotics?