INST 301
Introduction to Information Science
Spring 2016
Assignment P1 - Team and Topic Selection

Background

• P1: This assignment, in which you will indicate your interest in a specific project team and in working with some specific project partners.
• P2: A written summary of the technical aspects of the issue that your project team is studying.
• P3: A written summary of the social aspects of the issue that your project team is studying.
• P4: A written argument advocating specific policy and/or technical choices.
• P5: A 5-minute in-class presentation

All students will work in two-person teams that are assigned by the instructor (if there are an odd number of students in the class, the instructors will assign one three-person team with additional tasks). Each team will be assigned a single issue from current events that implicates both technical and societal consideration.

This assignment, P1 has two parts. First, you should indicate (in most-preferred-first order) at least three issues that you would be interested in working on. Project team assignments will be based in part on common interests (to the extent possible). For each issue, you should briefly describe the issue and provide a pointer to one publication (e.g., a news story or an an academic paper) that illustrates some of the technical and societal aspects of that issue. A list of examples (from which you can select if you wish) is included below.

The second thing you need to do is to suggest at least three potential project partners, again in most-preferred-first order. We will strive to select project partners so as to maximize diversity of perspectives, so it is extremely unlikely that we will assign two students from the same major to a team. To help us with this selection, please write a few words about your background and expertise and then for each potential partner that you identify, please do the same.

Example Issues

1. Apple iPhone encryption
2. Internet censorship in China
3. Universal access to broadband Internet
4. Wikileaks
5. Protection of children from Internet pornography
6. "Free Basics by Facebook" for developing regions
7. Self-driving cars
8. Making dangerous things with 3-D printers
9. The effects of interative technology on social isolation
10. Personal genetic sequencing

Submit this assignment using ELMS before class on the due date indicates on the course schedule.