This paper presents a lesson plan for teaching a global history of computing, with a focus on trans-Pacific exchanges between Asias and Americas. Rather than treating Asian histories of computing as subcomponents to the central history of computing in the U.S., this paper argues for a more integrated approach by examining the cross-Pacific, bi-directional flows of people, technologies, machines, and intangible assets such as intellectual properties and capital. Such an approach allows for a more interconnected pedagogy. The lesson plan employs a multidisciplinary framework, incorporating the history of computing in and across Asias and Americas, Asian Studies (area studies), and Asian American Studies (ethnic studies in the U.S.). This twelve-week plan is divided into three four-week modules. The first module re-narrates the history of computing by provincializing and federating the histories of the four generations of computers across Asias and Americas. The second module explores histories of global chains of supplies, offshore outsourcing of hardware manufacturing and software development, and their ‘risks’ associated with such offshoring across Asia/America. The final module analyzes the interplay between computerization, globalization, and racialization across Asias and Americas since the late 20th century. This paper concludes by suggesting some strategies for adapting the lesson plan to various localized and unique educational contexts.

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Teaching the History of Computing across Asia/America: Computerization, Globalization, and Racialization

  • Yoehan Oh

摘要

This paper presents a lesson plan for teaching a global history of computing, with a focus on trans-Pacific exchanges between Asias and Americas. Rather than treating Asian histories of computing as subcomponents to the central history of computing in the U.S., this paper argues for a more integrated approach by examining the cross-Pacific, bi-directional flows of people, technologies, machines, and intangible assets such as intellectual properties and capital. Such an approach allows for a more interconnected pedagogy. The lesson plan employs a multidisciplinary framework, incorporating the history of computing in and across Asias and Americas, Asian Studies (area studies), and Asian American Studies (ethnic studies in the U.S.). This twelve-week plan is divided into three four-week modules. The first module re-narrates the history of computing by provincializing and federating the histories of the four generations of computers across Asias and Americas. The second module explores histories of global chains of supplies, offshore outsourcing of hardware manufacturing and software development, and their ‘risks’ associated with such offshoring across Asia/America. The final module analyzes the interplay between computerization, globalization, and racialization across Asias and Americas since the late 20th century. This paper concludes by suggesting some strategies for adapting the lesson plan to various localized and unique educational contexts.