The Living Online Curriculum: College

1. ABOUT THE INTERNET

Part 1 highlights the unique circumstances and attitudes that led to the creation of a revolutionary tool that does not belong to anyone - but that has made a group of entrepreneurs phenomenally rich and powerful. This section will also explain some of the key issues currently surrounding the Internet, as well as some of those on the horizon.

The History of the Internet – How the Internet works – Who Owns the Internet? – The Business Model of the Internet – Data: Big Data, Metadata, and Data Visualization – A for Algorithms – The Internet of Things – Digital Disruption – The Web We Want

2. THE DIGITAL WORLD AND US

The second part of the curriculum explores our relationship with the digital world, specifically how technology affects our lives and moderates our behavior. The primary goal is to raise awareness and inspire student engagement in issues that are central to their online world.  

Cyberpsychology – Identity – Privacy – Transparency – Online Empathy – Online Friendships & Relationships – Digital Ethics – Distraction, Boredom & Overuse – Social/Anti-Social Media – Digital Activism – Diversity of Thought – The Digital Divide – Digital Rights - Hacking

3. DIGITAL MEDIA LITERACY

The interactive properties of the Internet have broken down barriers and unleashed both powerful creative and troubling forces that require new skills of students. This section for the curriculum is designed to empower students through becoming savvy consumers and sophisticated “prosumers” of digital content.  

Digital Reading & Writing – Remix Culture – The Digital Media Revolution – Online Propaganda – Memes – Smart Search & Research – Wikipedia – Knowledge and Information in the Digital Age

4. THE DARK SIDE OF THE WEB

No study of the Internet would be complete without casting light on one of the largest and most controversial areas of the Internet. The forces of the Dark Web may wreck havoc not only on the Internet, but also on our physical world. At the same time, the measures to contain this threat may also profoundly change the Internet as we know it.

Cyberwarfare & Cyberterrorism – Cybercrime – The Dark Web

5. THE WEB WE WANT

From cyberutopianism to digital dystopia - the future of the Internet explored.

The curriculum ends with a close examination of how the ideals that accompanied the early Internet have evolved, and the visions and concerns of a range of activists, thinkers, and technologists about the future of the web.