This option explores the use of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) for the representation of collective interests and associated collective action (campaigning, advocacy, lobbying, fundraising). It aims to stimulate debate and understanding about the ways in which ICTs may constrain and enable people's participation in a variety of collective activities within the wider context of work and civil society. You should already have some background from other courses so far about issues of collective activism (for example trade union action or actions of resistance within organisational settings) which you can draw upon. Here, the emphasis is on looking at the potential of the use of new ICTs in aiding/hindering and transforming such collective action, campaigning and participation.
The course is run in a student-led way and after session 2 you will be responsible for running the sessions. We will manage session 1 and 2, which will include space for initial preparation of the rest of the sessions. This will include an introduction to the main discussion issues and a presentation of a case study so as to provide one example of how to go about using the material. In addition guidance will be given on using web sites as research data. Otherwise our role is to provide guidance and a reference point if you need help with preparation. As needed, we will also provide a co-ordinating/focusing role for the discussion in the session and introduce additional issues if appropriate.
The rest of the sessions are to be led by you, working in three groups. Sessions 3, 4 and 5 will be based around case studies, for which a list of references and web sites have been provided. This is intended as a resource to get you started and you are encouraged to extend your research beyond these sources. Each group will organise one session, with the overall aim being to generate discussion about the role of ICTs within the case. Exactly how you organise the session is up to your group, but we would envisage that there would be some presentation and some group activities/discussion elements. It is reasonable for you to expect the other groups to do some prior reading or other form of preparation, however you will need to give them adequate warning and access to the materials.
You are expected to keep a log book which contains notes/reflections on each session. For the session your group is involved in organising, we would expect this to be more extensive including your preparatory notes and some reflection on how the session went. As a reflection on the whole module, you might want to think about how new ICTs might or do affect some collective activity you are personally involved in. The log book will not be formally assessed/graded but attendance at the module and satisfactory completion of a log book are required. The submission date for the log book is Tuesday 29th March 2001.