Free Culture: How the Internet, U2, and September 11 Affect Your iPod

Name of facilitator: Sean Hickey

E-mail: seenandnotseen@gmail.com

Course description:
New technologies in the 20th century allowed production and dissemination of information and media at a rate never before imagined. It was this same century, however, that saw more access and usage restrictions than ever before. With the advent of the internet, the 21st century is seeing this trend continue. The USA is moving from a “free” (as in 'speech') culture to one that is dictated by law and regulation. This trend carries implications that reach far beyond the boundaries of your computer screen.

This course will be an introduction to the issues surrounding access and usage rights in our culture. Topics will include copyright law and history, the Internet and the effect on the media, the Open Access movement in academia, the Open Source Software movement, the recording industry, Fair Use, Digital Rights Management (DRM), the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, peer-to-peer sharing, artistic appropriation, Creative Commons, culture jamming, and more TBA based on class interest.

Class will primarily consist of discussion around weekly readings. In addition, we will examine content from various sources (both on- and off-line) including YouTube, OpenSourceCinema, Creative Commons licensed work, and more. No prerequisites. All texts and content will be “free”.

Class Time: Tuesday 8-9 PM (we may change this depending on needs of the class)

Class Dates: February 10 – April 28 (subject to change)

Place: Macalester. Old Main, Room 001

Class size: Minimum ____5____ Maximum ____none!____