[comp.society] New Book: Computerization & Controversy

kling@ICS.UCI.EDU (Rob Kling) (03/08/91)

Computerization & Controversy, an anthology of articles about
social issues of computing, by Charles Dunlop and Rob Kling is
now available. It is a 758 page paperback and sells for $34.95.

Individuals may purchase copies directly from Academic Press by
calling 1-800-321-5068 or by writing to: Academic Press Ordering
      Academic Press Wharehouse
      Order Dept.
      465 S. Lincoln
      Troy, Missouri 63379

Faculty who offer courses about social issues in computing may
order examination copies from Academic Press. Write on university
letterhead or enclose a business card, and include the following
information about your course: class name and number, department,
# of students, books used --in the past, adoption deadline.

Send your requests for examination copies to:

Amy Yodannis
College and Commercial Sales Supervisor
Academic Press
1250 Sixth Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

tel: 619-699-6547
fax: 619-699-6715



Computerization and Controversy:
Value Conflicts and Social Choices

Charles Dunlop    and    Rob Kling (Editors)
Univ. of Michigan - Flint        Univ. of California - Irvine

Many students, professionals, managers, and laymen are hungry for
honest, probing discussions of the opportunities and problems of
computerization.  This book introduces some of the major social
controversies about the computerization of society. It highlights
some of the key value conflicts and social choices about comput-
erization. It helps readers recognize the social processes that
drive and shape computerization, and to understand the paradoxes
and ironies of computerization

Some of the controversies about computerization covered in this
collection include:
    the appropriateness of utopian and anti-utopian scenarios
     for understanding the future
    whether computerization demonstrably improves the
     productivity of organizations
    how computerization transforms work
    how computerized systems can be designed with social
     principles in view
    whether electronic mail facilitates the formation of new
     communities or undermines intimate interaction
    whether computerization is likely to reduce privacy and
     personal freedom
    the risks raised by computerized systems in health care
    the ethical issues when computer science researchers accept
     military funding
    the extent to which organizations, rather than "hackers,"
     are significant perpetrators of computer abuse

The authors include Paul Attewell, Carl Barus, Wendell Berry,
James Beninger, John Bennett*, Alan Borning, Niels Bjorn-
Anderson*, Chris Bullen*, Roger Clarke, Peter Denning, Pelle Ehn,
Edward Feigenbaum, Linda Garcia, Suzanne Iacono, Jon Jacky*, Rob
Kling, Kenneth Kraemer*, John Ladd, Kenneth Laudon, Pamela
McCorduck, David Parnas, Judith Perrolle*, James Rule, John
Sculley, John Shattuck, Brian Smith, Clifford Stoll, Lindsy Van
Gelder, Fred Weingarten, Joseph Weizenbaum, and Terry Winograd.
               (*'d authors have contributed new essays for the
book.)

Each of the seven sections opens with a 20 page analytical essay
which identifies major controversies and places the articles in
the context of key questions and debates. These essays also point
the reader to recent additional research and debate about the
controversies.

Published by Academic Press (Boston). 758 pp. Available: March 5
1991.   $34.95

ISBN: 0-12-224356-0          Phone: 1-800-321-5068