Aim: Working
ideally in threes, select a socio-technical genre, describe it, define it,
and distinguish it from its near “neighbors”. The goal is to show that you understand that genre. Each group
must select a different genre.
Introduction: Imagine you have been asked to write a report
on this STS type, to explain to your company manager, who knows nothing about
it. Choose from the following:
Details: This is exercise in clear thinking and
writing, not in being "right" or "wrong". It will be graded
under the following headings, which you should use:
1.
Title and Introduction
(10%). Name your STS genre in the
title. The report must have pages and a table of contents with page numbers.
Give history and background of the genre. How did it begin?
2.
Purpose or aim. What is its main purpose or aim?
What is it trying to do. Who are the stakeholders? Break
aim down by different stakeholders. (10%)
3.
Definition. Give a one sentence definition of the genre, which you can explain or
clarify as necessary. It must not be circular or so general as to be
meaningless. A good genre definition both includes
all genre examples and excludes all
other STS types. Provide a long list
of systems of this genre, giving name, link, and home page screen shot. (10%)
4.
Detailed description. Describe why this socio-technical
genre is used:
a.
Individual. What tasks do individuals use it
for? What individual needs does the genre satisfy? List them, with a one
sentence description. (10%)
b.
Community. What social community is formed?
Does it have an “identity”? What rules or norms does the community follow? Is
there a written “constitution”? A logo or symbol? What community needs does the
genre satisfy? (10%)
5.
Scope. (do
one each individually, with your name attached) Give three different
specific examples example of a neighbor
of this genre, i.e. software that is in some way similar but not
included in your definition. Give the name, web link and publisher, and state,
using screenshots and argument, why it fails the genre definition. (One page per person only 10%)
6.
Examples (do one each, individually,
with your name attached) Each person must choose a different specific example of the genre. For each, give the
name, web link, publisher and when started and by who. Show, using screenshots
and argument, that this example fits the genre definition given earlier. What
is the main “claim to fame” that this system presents? List the main
socio-technical requirements of this
system for its online citizens. Based on these, give your assessment of how
good it is, with reasons. (One page per
person only 10%)
7.
Rights analysis. (10%) Choose one of the examples you chose as individuals, and review the social rights that are expected by its "citizens".
For each one: 1. Name it, 2. Give a physical example and state why it is
expected, 3. State whether the system enables it or not, with a screenshot. Summarize
your results in a table. Based on this, suggest changes or improvements to the
system, e.g. of who is allowed to do what to what, who is allowed to see what, or
who is allowed to control who can do or see what. Points given for identifying
social "errors".
8.
Conclusions. Summarize and conclude the above. (10%)
9.
References. Cite useful and valid academic
references in proper format (expect at least ten - not just web links!). (5%)
Deliverables:
1.
Summarize and present in class
before the due date.
(5%) Print a copy of your slides, 6/page, for the instructor.
2. On the due date: submit a print version of your report at the beginning
of class.
3.
Send the report as an email
attachment to bwhitworth@acm.org WITH 729 ASG4 IN THE TITLE, with copy to your
partners.