Abstract:
Many recent works in the field of the sociology of technology address the gap between technology and the social in a very critical way. In particular, they show that the success or failure of a technological innovation depends, at least in part, on its ability to be grafted onto an organizational and interactive substrate. The main objective of this course is to guide students toward a precise understanding of the various combinations between communication technologies and conversational practices. Through the examination of a series of case studies on the use of technologies in professional or domestic contexts, this course proposes several methodological discussions, favouring approaches based on the observation of social behaviour in natural contexts and the use of audio-video recordings.
Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, written, exercices, discussions, readings
Course Policies: On-time attendance is mandatory
- Book: HUTCHBY I. Conversation and Technology: From the Telephone to the Internet. Polity Press, 2001, 232p.
There are no formal pre-requisites, though students with a background in Social Science Studies of Technology or in Conversation Analysis may find the course easier.
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The ordinary making of social order. Presentation of some basic, fundamental features of the organization of social interaction
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An invitation to a close examination of talking on the phone
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Interacting with avatars: the organization of social interaction in virtual or mixed realities.
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Video communication and face-to-face interaction. A discussion based on the history of video communication and how people talk through various screens
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Chatbot communication: when the interaction itself becomes a model for a technology
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Social interaction with lures ? On the organization of social interaction with fake agents
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Interacting with embodied agents: social robotics
Learning Outcomes
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Understanding sociology as a rigorous methodical scientific approach based on a deep and detailed analysis of recordings of natural social conduct in ordinary settings
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Being able to recognize how different types of technologies merge with various features of the organization of social interaction.
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An appreciation for the importance of talk-in-interaction organization and its impact on mediated communication.
Nb hours: 21,00
Evaluation
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Quiz, participation and course attendance (50% of the final grade)
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Written assignments (50% of the final grade).
