Assignment instructions:

For each of Units 2 to 4, identify an event, technology, theory, or practice that interests you. Briefly summarize each of them in your own words (although you must also cite the original sources) and compare them in terms of categories or themes such as orality, literacy, time/space bias (ritual preservation or economic advancement?), and/or knowledge control (democratic?). You may want to refer back to the chart in Unit 3 in which you compared the relative effects of book and Internet technologies as an example.

Comment on social and political contexts, how technologies operate to support the dominant power relations of their time, and any other aspects that seem important to you. Some broad topics are given below, but you may choose one of your own, as long as you discuss your choice with your tutor before you begin writing.

Finally, please reflect on your learning so far. What connections do you see between what you are learning and your life? How is your learning affecting what you believe about communication history or about how communication technologies affect your understanding of the world?

(Word limit: 800 words)

Your answer should be clearly written and edited, making it clear to your tutor that you have read, understood, and thought about the topic. You will be marked on the quality of your analysis, assessment, and creativity, as well as on your expression. Be sure to cite all of the sources that you use. Refer to the unit readings, but you may also find other relevant material such as news stories, articles, or websites.

Sample Topics

- Ongâ€™s model of orality and secondary orality
- the impacts of print literacy on knowledge acquisition
- evidence of time and space biases in different societies
- the diffusion of innovation
- economic, political, and cultural implications of new communication technologies
- elite control over knowledge
- echoes of historic technologies in todayâ€™s devices

Assignment instructions: For each of Units 2 to 4, identify an e...