Final papers (6-8 pages) should engage two texts on the syllabus (Simone Browne’s “Race and Surveillance” and Hito Steyerl’s “Mean Images”.), and demonstrate a close reading of the required materials and exhibit a method of critical analysis.
The paper should include an
original title conveying the argument of focus of your paper
an introductory part laying out your central argument
body paragraphs that develop your argument in a logical and organized manner
a conclusion restating your argument
“Works Cited”page
Papers should adhere to standard format (Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced, one inch margins, no spaces between paragraphs, first line of paragraph indented) and follow the Chicago Manual of Style.
Some notes:
Pre-historical age
The language model
Surveillance technologies, both historical and contemporary, not only enforce but also produce societal norms and biases, effectively shaping and perpetuating systems of racial and social classification.
Technology as a continuation of historical biases:
Both authors suggest that contemporary technologies are not neutral but are imbued with historical biases. For Browne, surveillance technologies have adapted but continue to target and marginalize based on race. For Steyerl, AI algorithms perpetuate and sometimes amplify biases present in their training data.
Classification
The Role of society in shaping technology:
Browne’s analysis of racializing surveillance shows that technology is a tool that reflects societal biases. Steyerl’s discussion on the role of AI in generating “mean images” mirrors this, highlighting how societal views are embedded within and propagated by technological systems.
It is dynamic, where one structures another, and the other determines.
A potential claim that intersects the concerns of both authors could be: “Surveillance technologies, both historical and contemporary, not only enforce but also produce societal norms and biases, effectively shaping and perpetuating systems of racial and social classification.”
