The DeVry Local Society Initiative in Technology, Society, and Culture: Reflections on Technological Change and its Implications for Humanity

The DeVry Local Society Initiative in Technology, Society, and Culture: Reflections on Technological Change and its Implications for Humanity

Faculty Development Committee of DeVry University
New Brunswick, New Jersey

The issues raised in consideration of technology, society and culture are particularly relevant to the DeVry community since it specializes in technology education with a general education component. Faculty of DeVry University, North Brunswick, NJ, drawn from fields of philosophy and theology, information sciences, mathematics, education, physics, chemical engineering, and business management, have organized with faculty members of the Initiative’s “Affiliated Dialogue Partner,” Seton Hall University, further representing the fields of theology, sociology, education, English, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. The aim is to bring a broad and exploratory exchange to the programs being designed. Plans include an in-house schedule of monthly discussion and development meetings; Fall and Spring “Public Dialogue Days,” offer faculty and student papers in a public setting; printing, videotaping and archiving to promote campus research resources; design, construction and maintenance of a website devoted to publicizing the work of the Initiative. Extensive public outreach and development includes sister DeVry campuses in Fort Washington, PA, and Long Island City, NY, with an eye to expanding the initiative to the national / international DeVry University system. The creation of an external “Guest Speaker Program” serves to further these expansion and outreach plans. Group’s activities began with a consideration of the definitions of terms within the planned dialogue, and range through the many religious and cultural implications of technological advancement in light of faith. Special emphasis is placed on the implications and interpretations of biotechnology in nature, culture, religious, and philosophical thought. Matching funds are provided by DeVry University, New Brunswick.