Fall 2024
I 320J Topics in Social Justice Informatics: Understanding Disability and Accessibility
Also offered as I 320S.
DESCRIPTION
In this course, we will work to understand and address the challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and strategic manipulation in online environments. First, we will work to develop a deep understanding of the problem space. We will read and discuss existing research (both historical and contemporary) on how and why misinformation and disinformation spread. Next, we will explore the process, both personal and interpersonal, by which these issues can be approached and addressed in our own lives. This will involve reflecting on our own presuppositions, beliefs, and biases about information; and doing a project in which we apply the principles of Human-Centered Design to investigate different design directions for addressing misleading information. Students will gain important contextual knowledge and hands-on design experience that they can take into future professional domains (from education to policy to technology), where they can contribute to building more trustworthy information systems.
COURSE NOTES
The course focuses on disability in the digital era and how we design information and communication technologies for accessibility. This course looks beyond web accessibility and considers creating for people with different disabilities (e.g., vision loss, hearing loss, neurodiversity, physical and cognitive decline, etc.). In addition, we will consider other forms of disabilities (permanent, situational, temporary). Students will engage in class discussions, small group activities, homework assignments, and give oral presentations. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to apply methods and models of accessibility in the workplace in various fields, including software design, data science, AI, and library science.
PREREQUISITES
Upper-division standing and Informatics 310J.
RESTRICTIONS
Restricted to undergraduate Informatics majors through registration period 1. Informatics minors may add classes and join waitlists beginning in period 2. Outside students will be permitted to join our waitlists beginning with period 3.