Photos and quotes from Genesis participants discussing their experience taking the course "Innovation and Revolution".
Innovation and Revolution:
The Relationship Between Technology and Society
What would the world today be like if the Internet had never been created? How about the automobile? The printing press? Innovations past and present have had a revolutionary impact on both secular and Jewish society. In this course, we will look at the ethical, social, and political implications of technology, and ask ourselves: how can we be agents of change in the 21st century?
The following topics and activities have been part of this course in past summers. Your experience may include some of these or others like them, depending on the instructor’s plans.
Ask Questions
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How have technological innovations fueled massive change in society?
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What are the social, ethical, and political implications of technology on society?
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What are the dangers of a culture hooked on Facebook and iPhones?
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What is your role in the current technological revolution?
Find Answers
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Get an insiders’ tour of the MIT and Harvard stem cell research labs and see for yourself the incredible technology guiding this cutting-edge research;
- Go out into the streets and observe people's interactions with technology;
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Visit the MIT Media Lab and Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society;
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Meet J.T. Waldman from the Tagged Tanakh project at the Jewish Publication Society and experience what the future of Torah learning looks like;
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Meet representatives from the Jewish Women’s Archive and and see how they are using technology to archive Jewish women’s accomplishments;
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Visit a local private bio-energy company.
Take Action
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Create new Wikipedia entries;
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Beta test new online interactive sites;
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Create presentations that incorporate new technologies;
- Design and present an activity to your peers from other Genesis courses that weave together academic, scientific, political, ethical, religious and economic perspectives on Stem Cell research;
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Challenge your Genesis peers on issues around technologies that impact our community and experience during the summer.
Meet the Instructor
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Read about our Innovation and Revolution course instructor Russel Neiss
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Hear Russel speak about the course: