Name: Jessica Jorgenson Borchert
Download syllabusDate published: 2021
Course level: Graduate
Course title: English 875: Digital Ethics
Course description: This is an online course where you will think about terms such as design and ethics to rhetorically examine how individuals and organizations use digital spaces. You will gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge of copyright, fair use, user experience, and usability. Assignments will include an infographic on a topic related to digital authoring practices, a remix project of a terms of service document, and a final project focused on ethical design. Most weeks will include a discussion topic unless a major assignment is due.
Course philosophy/motivation: “I practice a feminist, critical pedagogy where I find that I learn just as much as you and that I learn along with you. I have a PhD, but I have no illusions that I know everything about my field. I started college as an unsure, quiet, second-generation college student (my dad went back to college a little before I started college). Academia was a foreign concept to me, but I believe this challenge helped me to become a better, more thoughtful member of the academy (or so this is always my goal). When I step into a classroom, whether in person or virtually, I step in with the expectation that I will not have to discipline you. For example, I should not have to tell you to not be a troll. I ask you to respect differences in embodied experiences. With this, I encourage you to bring your own knowledge, experience, and expertise to our discussions, but also to participate in our online class with an open mind. I learn as much from you as I hope you learn from me. I welcome you to the course and I look forward to getting to know you better. Thank you for your labor, and for being here.”
“My main motivation was to help graduate students understand various digital practices and concepts (like big data) and understand the ethical practices employed (or not) around the gathering of user data.”
