Digital Stories: Fall, 2019

Mid-Term Examination
Exam Assigned: October 10/ Due: 11:59pm, October 17

Overall Instructions:​ ​Demonstrate a broad yet precise knowledge of the concepts, skills and
trends covered in Digital Stories to date. While each section of the exam gives you choices of
questions to answer, you should choose them, in part, to demonstrate the broadest possible
mastery of course materials. In other words, the highest grades will go to those whose complete
exam demonstrates a balanced understanding of a broad range of issues.

One part of such demonstration will be citations of course materials (readings, slide-lectures,
course links). While the number of such citations will vary, a general guideline would be 1-2
references for a short answer response and 3-5 references for an essay. References to any
course materials (including lecture notes and links) can take the simple form of a parenthetical
references with page numbers or link information.

Please work ​alone​ on this examination.

I. Short Answer: (choose ​4 questions​ out of 6 options) 70-120 words each. Complete
Sentences. Writing Counts)

In this part of the exam, you will be giving short explanations or histories of concepts or
technologies. Strong answers will include specifics (important names or dates with appropriate
citations of course materials)

1.​ ​How does Aristotle’s definition of friendship fit with how you use social media to engage
with other people?

2.​ ​Discuss the varying factors Thomas Friedman highlights in chapter 3 of ​Thank you for Being
Late​ that lead to what he calls “The Supernova.”

3.​ ​What is a cyborg? Discuss the history and importance of the concept as developed by
Thomas Rid in ​The Rise of the Machines​.

4.​ ​According to Darrell West, the “good old days” of employment in manufacturing are unlikely
to come back. Why? Explain using concepts and examples from his discussion of robotics in the
chapter provided from his text (and/or his lecture). (Note: his book chapter can be found in the
course files on Canvas.)
 5.​ ​Why is binary a natural counting system for electronic digital systems? Explain,
demonstrating, in so doing, an understanding of the basic function of a circuit and how binary
numbers work.

6. Discuss the idea of “transparency” in the 2016 film ​The Circle. ​Be sure to include how
transparency leads to the end of the movie.

II. Essay: Selecting one question from Unit 1 and one from Unit 2, choose 2 questions out
of 4 options) 300-500 words each.

​ hese essays give you the chance to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of central
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movements, ideas and developments for Digital Stories. Your essay should take a point of view
(i.e., “say something”) with regard to the issue at hand and offer specific evidence, with
citations from our course materials (including links to slide lectures). Strong essays will include
at least 3 references to our readings and 1 reference to a lecture. (Parenthetical citations at the
end of a sentence suffice for course materials and links).

Please indicate clearly which prompt you are responding to in each of your essays (for example,
1A or 1B, etc.)

Unit 1: (Choose 1)

A. Discuss and analyze the perspectives and concerns of major figures in the historical
oscillation of optimism and pessimism about the digital revolution (ref: Prof.
Brockelman’s lecture of 9/12), including the contemporary contributions made to such
discussions by Tom Friedman’s ​Thank you for being late​ and Thomas Rid’s ​Rise of the
Machines​.

B. In the views of Rid and Friedman, what factors led to “the great acceleration” of
digital technology? In concluding your essay, you might make a supported prediction
about the future: will technological advance continue, speed up or slow down?

Unit 2: (Choose 1)

A.​ ​In what ways has the ongoing digital revolution changed us ​as individuals ​(e.g.,
brain structure, character development)? In your answer, take into account some of the
following -- friendship, work, and reading. As your starting point, consider the lectures
on those three themes. You are expected to reference course readings.
B. What is gained and what is lost ​in society​ with the ease of life and communication
produced by the technological revolution? In your answer be sure to reference changes in
journalism, reading, and friendship, as well as the transformation of work. You are
expected to reference course readings.