Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/York University/Resistance and Subversion on the Internet (Fall)

This course explores political, social and technical aspects of resistance and subversion on the internet.

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) afford opportunities for seeking normative ends. As individuals and groups attempt to resist and subvert institutional power structures and societal norms, scholars should assess the extent to which ICTs initiate, enhance and limit these attempts. Too often, technology enthusiasts quickly conclude that ICTs automatically contribute to positive change. At the same time, skeptics similarly conclude all too quickly that ICTs automatically produce negative results. Within and across contexts, scholars seeking to understand opportunities and drawbacks of new ICTs must also assess the extent to which the enthusiasts and the skeptics are correct.

In this class, we will discuss the history and the theory that informs current discussions of resistance and subversion on the internet. We will explore central questions relevant to current scholarship from multiple perspectives. We will investigate and analyze how resistance and subversion are conceptualized in light of ICT developments, and across social movement contexts. This will include studying various Canadian and international cases. We will discuss how those opposed to institutional and societal change push back against those who resist and subvert. With an eye towards empowering future generations of public scholars and activists, we will work towards a stronger understanding of how ICTs both create and destroy.