6.1 Introduction to infrastructure.

Infrastructure, as it pertains to information technology and computer science, has to do with electricity, physical wires, airwaves, space technologies, and communications networks which are the bones of a system that allows us to talk to each other over great distances and produce all manner of products and virtual services. Explore this key concept by reading one or more of the following:

Reading List

Refer to writing instructions under each page of the template provided in step 6.5. Open articles in new tabs and add them to your bibliography tool.

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Radio frequency spectrum map (PDF 2016).
• It’s Time to Tie the U.S. Electric Grid Together, Says NREL Study.
• Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) network. View the two graphs at full screen for more detail.
• Submarine/Underwater internet cable map. Or watch Business Insider's Here are all the undersea cables that power the internet movie:
• The Man Determined to Map the Entire Internet (fiber optic cables).
• 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G coverage map, United States.
• Landline Phones Disappearing in These 20 States.
• Spacex Starlink internet coverage, cost, speeds and satellites — what you need to know.
• ESRI Satellite Map.
• Satellite descriptions and ephemeris are sourced from the Joint Functional Component Command for Space's Space-Tracker data.
• James Yoder's Stuff in Space site allows searching.

6.2 Digital divide.

The luxuries of a well-formed infrastructure allow many of us to enjoy the benefits of varied communications services, but what about remote, war-torn, or famine-stricken areas of the globe? Where are these 'digital divides' and what causes them? Do any countries provide the infrastructure as part of their social services, or do citizens pay a private company? Have those private companies taken advantage of the lower classes thereby reducing their access to parts of the infrastructure resulting in their inability to improve their financial situation? Explore this key concept by reading one or more of the following:

Reading List

Refer to writing instructions under each page of the template provided in step 6.5. Open articles in new tabs and add them to your bibliography tool.

• High-speed Internet by county in the USA.
• Here is what's holding back Africa's digital revolution.
• The Value of Being Ordinary: Access to Energy is not like Youth Sports or GRE Scores. (USA 2020)
• 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities (USA)
• Rural versus urban (USA)
• Ethnic groups (USA)
• Smart vs dumb phone
• Age (USA, 2020)
• The disabled (USA)

6.3 Digital justice.

When the masses are disgruntled with their government's response to poor infrastructure, they may revolt! Some people will take on the role of activist to take the people's message to their government. Activists play a key role in communicating the message physically (in person) as well as virtually. How have activists used social media or protesting applications to further their cause and enact justice? Explore this key concept by reading one or more of the following:

Reading List

Refer to writing instructions under each page of the template provided in step 6.5. Open articles in new tabs and add them to your bibliography tool.

• 4 views on how to ensure social justice in a digital world (2021 Response to "World Day of Social Justice 2021".)
• Online Defamation Law (USA)
• More than just Tok: Gen Z’s activism on TikTok is outperforming the performative. (2020)
• The science of contemporary street protest: New efforts in the United States (2019)
• Technology can still live up to its promise as a force for justice (2020)
• Why Citizen has become the unofficial social network for protests (2020)
• How do I prepare my phone for a protest? (2020)
• American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU) Mobile Justice App . (2018) If you choose to install the app on your phone and test it, write about which platform you installed it on and how well it works. Include your findings to earn 1 point of extra credit. Captioned.
• How tech workers became activists, leading a resistance movement that is shaking up Silicon Valley. (2019)
• The Impact of Social Media on Social Unrest in the Arab Spring. (2012)
• Hollaback! (2016)

6.4 Net neutrality.

One component of our infrastructure is the internet, which was originally slated as a free and open resource for all humans. Has this original intent stayed intact? Does everyone have equal access and speed at an acceptable price? Or do others have better access and speed for a premium price? Explore this key concept by reading one or more of the following:

Reading List

Refer to writing instructions under each page of the template provided in step 6.5. Open articles in new tabs and add them to your bibliography tool.

1. Restoring Internet Freedom (2021) Bridging the Digital Divide for Low-Income Consumers; Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization
2. Net Neutrality 2021 Legislation at the State Level (USA)
3. 15 Facts about Net Neutrality.
4. The WIRED Guide to Net Neutrality 2020

6.5 Set up the Template and Reading List.

Use the following template link to complete this research and writing assignment.

1. Login to your OSU Google Account.
2. Launch this chapter's
   • Secion 400 Explore Topics Template.
   • Honors 001 Explore Topics Template.
3. Do not request permission to use the file. Login to your OSU Google Account.
4. Once you have the file open:
   1. File → Make a copy.
   2. Rename the new file so it includes your "First and Last name" in place of "Template".
   3. Move the file into a folder for this course.
5. Add your name to the cover page.
6. Read instructions on the cover page. When in doubt about how to write in the templates, refer back to this page for clarification.
7. Refer to the green instructions below each page to understand what is required.
8. The last page requires a bibliography.

6.6 Edit, download, and submit the file.

1. Ctrlc or ⌘c Copy the bibliographic entries you made during the Explore Topics reading and research. On the last page of the template, Ctrlv or ⌘v paste in the bibliographic entries. Select the list and apply the bullet or numbered list icon. Update the font size to 14 if necessary. Add more pages if necessary.
2. Check and correct grammar and spelling using the built-in functions.
3. From the File menu, choose Download as PDF.
4. Check to confirm that hyperlinks work in the new PDF file. If they do not work, then in the Assignment Commenting Box, leave a note stating which platform, operating system, and browser you used to print or download the PDF file.
5. Copy the file to a backup folder on your hard drive.
6. Submit the PDF file by uploading it in the Canvas Assignment screen.
7. Confirm that your file has uploaded by looking for the document icon in the Grades area.

Examine a case where the infrastructure failed to provide access to marginalized groups, or a case of justice served via mobile technology. Write/discuss from a factual and critical perspective. Analyze the major player(s) in relation to an ethical theory. Counter another student's analysis with more research.

6.7 Participate in the Group Discussion.

1. Pick a case to study from the list below (scroll through the many choices). Or, scroll through the TECH tab of the SmartNews app on your phone/tablet to locate newer cases of failed information technology access or successful digital justice.
2. Four days before the Due date, start writing in a word processing document to synthesize what you learned about the case. Use research, including what you find in the SmartNews feed, library journals, broadcast news, etc.
   • In paragraph 1, describe and cite one of the major player or group's in the case. Who did what when, how, and why?
   • In paragraph 2, name, cite, and describe at least one law or regulation that was broken in the case.
   • In paragraph 3, describe and cite the positive and negative consequences of that person or group's actions in relationship to historical, political, and economic perspectives.
   • In paragraph 4, analyze the person or groups actions citing one of the ethical theories or approaches ...were they morally and ethically justified or not? Cite the theory/approach.
   • Check the word count (150+ per paragraph, not counting the author or article titles).
   • Check the hyperlinks (they must be in article titles, law names, or theory/approach names).
   • Spellcheck, fix grammar, then Ctrlc or ⌘c to copy the paragraphs.
   • Click the Chapter 6 Examine a Case Discussion in Canvas.
   • Ctrlv or ⌘v to paste the copied text into a Reply thread (click the Reply field to activate the editing box).
   • Save your thread.
3. Before the Due date, reply to at least one person in your group.
   • In paragraph 1, discuss a counter-argument related to their analysis of the case. Describe and cite an article that supports your argument.
   • Check the word count (150+ not counting the author names or article titles).
   • Save your thread.

If you have questions about using the template, the research prompts, or writing conventions, you can share your file with the instructor.

Share a file from a cloud drive.

In order for others to see your working file without having to download or ask for account permission, provide a sharing URL/address so they can look at it live. Paste the URL into the Canvas Inbox message or Assignment Comment box.

1. Sign in to the OSU Google Drive. Provide your ONID userID and password.
2. Create your file on the OSU Google Drive.
3. Click the Sharing button at the top right of the screen.
4. Click the Advanced link on the lower right corner.
5. Click the Change link to view the choices.
6. Change the settings so that On - Anyone at Oregon State University with the link and Can view are selected.
7. Copy the resulting URL/address.
   
8. Paste the resulting URL into a Canvas Inbox message to the instructor (or if you have already submitted your file, provide it in the Assignment Commenting box).

Work offline without Wi-fi (Google applications)

If you will be out of wi-fi range, feel free to work on your Google files offline.

1. Click the blue Docs icon (or orange Slides or green Sheets icon).
2. Select the file(s) to use offline.
3. Select the 3-dot More menu
4. Toggle on the Available Until button.
5. Look at the list of files to view the new Available Offline icon next to the file name.

Writing Tutors

Consult one or more of these resource for a review of the structure of your writing, grammar, and spelling. Provide the tutor with a link to the instructions as well as your project online.

TutorMe's Writing Lab

Access online tutoring from inside Canvas. 3-hour turnaround.

OSU Online Writing Suite

Electronic feedback from home, asynchronous email consultation, or synchronous Skype consultation.

OSU Undergrad Research & Writing Studio

Drop in writing help with no wait times. Standard hours are:
Monday to Thursday → 10:00am to 10:00pm
Friday → 10:00am to 5:00pm, and
Sunday → 2:00pm to 7:00pm.

OSU Academic Integrity Tutorials

Citing sources and using TurnItIn.

Use the Service Desk if you have computer, ONID, or Canvas problems.

But first:

1. Logout.
2. Close the browser and relaunch it.
3. Login to OSU.
4. Still have problems? Contact Service Desk.