For the final research paper 4 pages, you will go out into the world and look at technology in the landscape. You can go on a data center walk or find some other piece of technology embedded in the landscape. How does it change the landscape? What is this piece of technology doing here? You will do further research on the technology. This is 20 percent of your grade. Cite 2 sources outside of the class.
Blood in the Earth. Documentary on Coltan Mining from BBC Africa.
Smith, James H. "Tantalus in the Digital Age: Coltan ore, temporal dispossession, and “movement”
in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo." American Ethnologist 38.1 (2011): 17-35.
Cobalt Mining piece from Goats and Soda, NPR
Coltan Mining piece on NPR from 2008 on conflicts around mining
Revised Summer 2026 Page 7
For the final research paper 4 pages, you will go out into the world and look at technology in the landscape. You can go on a data center walk or find some other piece of technology embedded in the landscape. How does it change the landscape? What is this piece of technology doing here? You will do further research on the technology. This is 20 percent of your grade. Cite 2 sources outside of the class.
Blood in the Earth. Documentary on Coltan Mining from BBC Africa.
Smith, James H. "Tantalus in the Digital Age: Coltan ore, temporal dispossession, and “movement”
in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo." American Ethnologist 38.1 (2011): 17-35.
Cobalt Mining piece from Goats and Soda, NPR
Coltan Mining piece on NPR from 2008 on conflicts around mining
Revised Summer 2026 Page 7
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