course number instructor title
CS 4784 DG Tatar HCI Capstone: Designing to Change Equity and Authority 

Why build a system unless there is something that you want to do differently?  Computer Scientists
build systems to change things in the world. 

But as computer systems touch more and more aspects of life, it’s not just all about efficiency.  
We need to ask “what should be changed?” as well as “how can we do it?”   Recent troubles
with Uber underscore the importance of a rounded vision! 

This is a project-based class, like all CS capstones, but in this HCI Capstone course, we
will (1) consider the nature of authority, (2) the history of attempts to create more or less equity
and inclusion in the world through design, and (3) engage in critical design practices. 
What does it mean to promote equity in the face of economic, gender, and ethnic inequality?  
What does it mean to promote equity given what computer systems can and cannot do?

We will consider the possibility of projects of two different sorts: those that serve the needs
of neglected groups or those that demonstrates resistance to or critical commentary upon
something in society or technology.

If you have questions or are from outside Computer Science, contact Dr. Tatar: dtatar@cs.vt.edu.

 

Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in CS 3724 and CS 3744.