| Course Title: Special Topics in Sociology: 'Society of Algorithms' |
| Start Date: 09/09/2026 End Date: 12/22/2026 |
| Term: Fall Semester 2026 |
| Description: We live in a society described by massive data sets, dynamically organized by computer code. New divisions of digital labor align complex data infrastructures while mathematical optimization continues to expand actuarial logics of decision-making. Algorithms also mediate the social communication of networked publics in ways that transform our social selves and social interaction. This research seminar asks: How do we understand the institutional nature of a society of algorithms? |
| Distribution(s): III - Social Sciences , TP - Topics Course |
| Academic Level Of Course: Undergraduate | Credits:4.00 |
| Faculty | Phone | Email address |
| Eleanor Townsley | etownsle@mtholyoke.edu |
| Meeting Dates | Method | Meeting days | Meeting times | Building name | Room | Frequency |
| 09/09/2026 - 12/22/2026 | Seminar | Wednesday | 01:30PM - 04:20PM | TBA | TBA | Weekly |
| Requisite Courses | ||
| Prereq: 8 Credits in Sociology, including SOCI-223. | Take previously | Required |
| Comments |
| Additional Comments |
| Course Tags | ||
| NXDTA0001 | NXDTA: Nexus in Data Analytics and Society | This course is approved for the Data Analytics |
| NXJRN0001 | NXJRN: Nexus in Journalism, Media, and Public Discourse | This course is approved for the Journalism, Media, & Public Discourse Nexus track. |
| Cross-listed Sections |
| None |
| Course Availability | ||||
| Section status: Open | Capacity: 18 | Enrollment: 16 | Available: 2 | Waitlist: 0 |
BOOK INFORMATION
| Book List | Required | Publisher Full Price |
| To be determined. |
| Additional Book Comments |
| This is NOT the complete book list for this class. |