Communication and New Technology

Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2001 22:47:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Francis F Steen <steen@commstds.ucla.edu>
To: Eugenie Dye <dye@ucla.edu>
Cc: Jane Bitar <jbitar@ucla.edu>, Neil Malamuth <nmalamut@ucla.edu>
Subject: Re: course description

Dear Eugenie,

Here is my 40-word version:

197T2 Communication and New Technology

The Internet's digital core was designed for military command. Yet the emerging network was gradually co-opted to perform communicative functions such as gossip, dating, news, entertainment, and trade. We will explore the history, effects, and possible futures of digital communication.

Warm wishes,
Francis

"The digital core of the Internet was first designed to provide military personnel with a reliable way of transmitting instructions. Yet the emerging computer networks were gradually co-opted to perform an increasing range of communicative functions, such as establishing personal relations, conveying news, providing entertainment, storing and retrieving information, and performing transactions. In this course, we explore the history, effects, and possible futures of digital communication."

66 words