The History of Surveillance and Information in the United States
HIST 265Z
Winter 2024 not offered
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This course considers the history of surveillance and information in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. We will explore technologies and systems that evolved during this period to track, codify, and control people in the US and abroad, as well the many efforts to resist these processes. Readings and lectures will pay particular attention to how surveillance and control over information empowered both the state and private entities in novel ways. The course is built around supporting students as they undertake a research project that interrogates how information and surveillance have shaped contemporary life. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
Major Readings:
James Scott, SEEING LIKE A STATE; Christian Parenti, The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America, From Slave Passes to the War on Terror.Sara Igo, The Known Citizen; Geoffrey Bowker and Susan Starr, SORTING THINGS OUT; Josh Lauer and Kenneth Lipartio, SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM IN AMERICA; Brian Hochman, THE LISTENERS; Bernard Harcourt, AGAINST PREDICTION; Jonathan Finn, CAPTURING THE CRIMINAL IMAGE; Josh Lauer, CREDITWORTHY: A HISTORY OF CONSUMER SURVEILLANCE...
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Examinations and Assignments:
Two book reviews, to be completed before the class begins; Final research project which includes scaffolding assignments (initial proposal, revised proposal, annotated bibliography, and in class presentation).
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Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
The schedule for this course is as follows: Jan 9, 10, 12 and Jan 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 10am-12:30pm, 2pm-4:30pm.
This course is scheduled to be held in person. In-person courses may be moved online due to the pandemic. All Winter Session students should expect some readings and assignments to be due during winter break, prior to the beginning of Winter Session class meetings. The syllabus can be found at this link: https://www.wesleyan.edu/wintersession/pdfs/1240/HIST265Z-Lamson-Syl.pdf
Additional syllabi for Winter Session courses will be posted to https://www.wesleyan.edu/wintersession/courses.html as soon as they are available.
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