1 Computers and Literacy: Differing Perspectives in the Social Sciences

This introduction to the symposium provides a historical and comparative background to the controversies surrounding computer literacy. In doing so, it develops the signif-icance of this controversy within the social sciences. These discussions challenge so-cial scientists to reconsider the role of computer-related instruction in the social sci-ences. But more broadly, the controversy over computer literacy embeds themes that are critical to the study of technology and society more generally. The concept itself is rooted in cultural symbols such as literacy and technology, and the debates over com-puter literacy reflect competing theoretical perspectives on the societal implications of commumcations and mformation technology. Keywords: literacy, computers, so-cial impacts, technology, society. It was inevitable that portrayals of the computer as a new medium of communication would lead to discussions over whether and how the concept of literacy should be applied to computing. In fact, this has turned out to be one of the more sensitive social issues within the com-puting literature. It is almost impossible to raise the notion of computer literacy without touching off an exchange of views. One reason for this controversy is that the concept of literacy is laden with symbolic meaning. Literacy is a highly valued attribute both of in-dividuals and of societies. By definition, to be literate is to be educated. For this reason, it can be used as a potent political symbol to shape pub-lic opinion and public policy. Symbolic politics consists of systematic efforts to give a symbolic character to objects or acts as a means of achieving political aims and objectives (Edelman, 1971; Dutton & Blumler, 1988). Symbols can be linked to objects such as the computer to evoke positive or negative responses by referencing symbols, like lit-eracy, that have specific cultural meanings. Over time, literacy has be-come identified with progressive social and educational policies. It is not surprising that the union of technology and powerful symbols has become the subject of policy debate. Nor is it unexpected that the de