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Frequently Asked Questions abouts the Internet Studies Program
Can I major in Internet Studies?
No. Internet Studies is a program, not a concentration.
Can I minor in Internet Studies?
Yes, provided you are not a senior (as the program doesn't technically
begin until next September).
More precisely, if you are planning on graduating sometime
after September 2001, and if you can complete the requirements
of the Internet Studies program by that time,
then, when you graduate, your degree will state your major(s)
and will also indicate that you have completed the Internet Studies
program. Technically, a "program" is not a "minor" as it does not
reside in any single department, but the accepted parlance is to
say that one minors in a program.
Why would someone want to minor in Internet Studies?
This program is for anyone who would like a
deeper understanding of the technology underlying the internet
as well as a liberal arts perspective on how it is transforming
society. All courses in the program are drawn from other departments
(including Computer Science, Economics, Legal Studies, Anthropology,
English, Fine Arts) and have been designed primarily for
majors in those disciplines.
What would I learn as an Internet Studies minor?
Students who complete the Internet Studies program will
have studied the internet from several perspectives, including
computer science (hardware, software, computational models
such as distributed computing, peer-to-peer computing,
data compression, computer security, search engine technology),
legal studies (statutory and case law concerning intellectual
property, privacy, freedom of expression in the domain of the
internet), economics (internet business models, role of the
internet in the economy), anthropology (structure of online communities,
trust, comparisons of online and offline behavior), philosophy
(the right to privacy and to freedom of speech, internet ethics,
internet responsibility), literature (hypertext as a literary text,
literary criticism of non-linear works), fine arts (art for the
internet).
What is Internet Studies, anyway?
Internet Studies is an emerging field which investigates the internet
and its interaction with society from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Its practioners largely consist of experts in well established disciplines who
study some aspect of the internet. One indication that
this truly is a field and not just a superficial conglomeration
of unrelated subdisciplines is that many aspects of the internet require
a multidisciplinary approach to be fully understood. For example,
computer security relies on theoretical computer science (cryptography),
legal studies (right to privacy), philosophy (ethics, responsibility),
politics (national interests versus individual liberty). Likewise,
peer-to-peer computing (as in Napster) raises legal, political, and philosophical
issues, as well as having the potential to transform the relationship between
artists and society.
Why doesn't this FAQ answer all my questions?
Mainly because we weren't able to guess what you would ask!
But, fear not, if you have a question that isn't answered above, send
email to me (Prof. Tim Hickey),
and I'll respond and add a new question/response here as well.
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