State-Society-Culture Dynamics

There are events in one’s life, the intensity and impact of which bring about the deepest questionings. In mine, such events led me not only to question the meaning of life (which I had always taken to be on the good, or at least tolerable side), but the worthiness of life itself. Being a Catholic Christian, that meant I had questioned whether God was in fact in control over the balance of good and evil, at least in this planet where I lived. These thoughts can go on and on, until they reduce to the paramount issue of whether to continue living decently, or giving in to an ideology akin to Darwinian survival of the fittest, or Hobbes’ war of all against all. I resolved these issues, at least for now (to be honest), by faith (surprise!). I took it on faith that “life is unfolding as it should”, and that I should humbly and patiently wait upon the Lord’s judgment. This wasn’t easy, as we all observe injustice perpetrated repeatedly. But it is true indeed (and by that I mean it c...

Students of Sociology of Development should write a scholarly critique of "The Functions of Conflict in the Context of Schooling" found at http://www.newfoundations.com/EGR/FunConflict.html Your comments are due on July 22, 2009

Students of Political Dynamics of China and Taiwan are required to critique Joseph S. Nye's "the Rise of China's Soft Power", found at http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/1499/rise_of_chinas_soft_power.html. Due date is July 21, 2009

Some behavioral adjustments against the virus: if you have any symptom of a respiratory infection,such as sneezing, coughing, fever, headache with runny nose, muscle pains, and whatever else, DO NOT ATTEND CLASS. YOU WILL BE ALLOWED MAKE-UP ACTIVITIES when you recover. However, you will have to present a medical certification of your illness. The following syllabi can be downloaded from my website http://angelfire.com/scifi/hitek/index.html Political Dynamics, Politics of Development, Sociology of Development, Democratic Theory and Practice and Political Dynamics of China and Taiwan. For undergraduates, take note of the schedule of quizzes, and the required name tags and readings. For graduate students, choose a reading to report on. There may be one examination before the midterm (preliminary) period, especially if a lot of meetings are cancelled. My mobile numbers are known by the Dean's Office. For your information and appropriate action.

This module is for both Development Planning and IT & Politics students. You must submit in paper your answer to the quiz at the end of the module, and submit to me in person on March 14. Failure to do so will bring your grades down. The module’s content is the principle of supply and demand, which is useful for both planners and development analysts. The rational choice model in Political Science is based on a calculus of costs and benefits, and so is a whole range of social theories which build upon rationality and utilitarianism. Lately we have ventured into post modernist approaches, and it is good to bring the pendulum back toward the other end (positivism). Have fun testing yourself. Go to my website: http://www.angelfire.com/scifi/hitek/index.html and click the SUPPLY AND DEMAND link. Download the module, print it; study and weep; then weep some more; when you realize that only the strong survive, finish the quiz. Get drunk in batangas coffee (the barako breed) and rea...

The assigned module for discussion is “The Religion of Computers” by David S. Bricklin, found at http://www.atariarchives.org/deli/the_religion_of_computers.php Your task(s) are (1) to reduce to some 3 sentences paragraph the essence of Bricklin’s argument, and then (2) to write a critique, where you state whether you agree or disagree with his basic arguments. Although Bricklin writes about computer technology, you may extend his argument to mobile communications technology, such as the proliferation of cell phone models, and so on. In Youtube, see the clip "Colossus (the prequel to the Terminator?) It can add visual dimension to this learning module

Welcome to the 2nd semester! First, let us place into context ICT as the cutting edge industry for development. Under the general category of research and development (R&D), it is seen as way of post-industrial development, generating economic growth for resource challenged, but highly educated and highly techonological societies (e.g., Taiwan). Since ICT development demands relatively high capital inputs, this is a policy choice, informed by rational calculation, in other words, a development plan by the State. A science park (industrial complex) like Nankang in Taipei which is devoted to software development alone absorbed millions of dollars. Then the State has to forge backward and forward linkages for its products which are basically just “thoughts”, and not yet commodities by any definition. Both Development Planning and ICT students should review basic economic concepts like supply and demand, and the theory of production. I will deliver a lecture on economic developmen...