Silicon Valley and the Global Economy
POLECON 156 Silicon Valley and the Global Economy
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and background in political economy or related social sciences
Class Number: 33149
Units/Credit: 4
Time/Location: TuTh 2:00-3:30pm / 122 Barrows
Final Exam Group 5: – Tuesday, 12/15/2020 – 8:00-11:00am
Instructor: Crystal Chang
This course investigates the historical origins and institutional ecosystem of Silicon Valley by identifying key factors in the development of Silicon Valley, as well as political circumstances and cultural conditions that have sustained its important role in the global economy. Questions like these will be addressed: Will Silicon Valley and artificial intelligence render workers irrelevant? Have the region’s tech giants like Google, Apple and Facebook become the monopolists of the new Gilded Age, and should they be broken up? Has Silicon Valley peaked? Is the “Silicon Valley model” unique or can it be replicated elsewhere? Lectures are discussion-driven, interactive, and will be complemented by films, debate, and group work.
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