THE FIRST SEMINAR, HELD 29 Jan, WAS: 1. Introduction – Alternative Approaches to “Knowledge Economy “ and “Information Society” Introduction to the course and subject area. Basic foundations: Why have the concepts of Knowledge Economy and Information Society become important, where do they originate? What are the main orientations adopted by commentators? What are the virtues and limitations of various approaches? Readings (ALL of these are relevant sources for later seminars, so don’t worry if you have not read them today!) ¨ Frank Webster 1995 Theories of the Information Society Routledge ¨ A Duff, 2000, Information Society Studies London: Routledge ¨ J R Beniger, 1986, The Control Revolution Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press ¨ Manuel Castells 1997 The Network Society London: Blackwells ¨ Daniel Bell The Coming of Post-Industrial Society Basic Books ¨ Carlota Perez, 1983, Structural Change and Assimilation of New Technologies Futures 15 no 5 pp357-375 ¨ The Information Society Journal: http://www.slis.indiana.edu/TIS/index.html (full text versions of all articles are available via the University library website (enter a periodicals search for ‘The Information Society’ and follow the links) Seminar question/exercise: ‘What are the main features of Knowledge Economy and Information Society –and how do the two differ - in terms of Technological; Economic; Occupational; Spatial; and Cultural factors? Where are the strengths and weaknesses of social, socioeconomic, and sociotechnical approaches?’