Neal Postman

1931-2003



Address the following questions fully and completely in your own words and voice; save your answers electronically. You will see at least one of these questions on your next unit exam in which you will be asked to demonstrate that you have read and mastered the material. Prepare your answers now. 
  1. Why is Postman considered a Durkheimian?  What elements of his theory do not fit this mold?
  2. How has the socialization process changed in the 20th century?  How have these changes affected childhood?
  3. How has television affected social and political discourse in modern American society?
  4. In what sense is technological change "ecological" in nature?  
  5. Compare and contrast technocracy and technopoly.?  Which do we live in?

Read:

Chapter 7: "Neal Postman's Technological Determinism" in Macrosociology: The Study of Sociocultural Systems.

Neil Postman's Technopoly

Recommended Reading:

Stirring up Trouble

Bibliography:

Postman, A. (2003, October 8). Eulogy for Neil Postman. New York.

Postman, N. (1984). Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business. New York: Viking Peguin Inc.

Postman, N. (1992). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Postman, N. (1982/1994). The Disappearance of Childhood. New York: Random House.

Postman, N. (1995). The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School. New York: Random House, Inc.

 

    Features   |     Syllabus   |   Theorists
  ©Frank Elwell
Send comments to felwell at rsu.edu