Date: Apr 01, 2011

Unplugged

Hofstra University’s School of Communication Hosts Week Without the Web

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University’s School of Communication students and faculty are giving up the Internet from April 4, 2011 to April 8, 2011. The Week Without the Web initiative highlights the ubiquitous role the Internet plays in everyday life.

Dr. Evan Cornog, dean of the School of Communication began the spring semester with the idea of challenging the Hofstra community’s everyday use of the Internet, for a weeklong project.

“I am really looking forward to the research gathered from this scholarly mission of abstaining from the Internet," Dean Cornog said. "The students and faculty are awakened with great anticipation for this grand challenge."

The week begins with a keynote address by digital pioneer, Michael Hawley of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab.  Dr. Hawley has had an extraordinary career as a computer scientist, musician, entrepreneur, and activist, including important collaborations with George Lucas at Lucasfilm, and with Steve Jobs at Next Computing.

 “Our hope is to gain a thorough understanding of the thoughts and behaviors of our students and ourselves with regard to the World Wide Web," Dean Cornog said. "Through class discussions, assignments and events, we are exploring the centrality of the Web to the way we live our lives.”

Week Without the Web promises to be a reflective experience for all of those involved. Students and faculty have the opportunity to not only conquer their dependence on the Internet, but to reflect on the reliance and use the Internet plays throughout daily routines.

About Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services; and honors studies, as well as a School of Law and the Hofstra-North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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