Stratification and Normalization

Week Eight: March 10 & 12 - Defining the digital divide
Norris, P. (2001). “Understanding the digital divide” and “Social inequalities” in Pippa Norris, Digital divide: Civic engagement, information poverty, and the Internet worldwide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (26-38), (68-92).

• Understand the difference between stratification and normalization as it relates to technological diffusion.
o Stratification model – groups already well networked via traditional forms of information and communication technologies will maintain their edge in the digital economy.
o Normalization model –as costs fall, as the technology becomes simplifies allowing plug-and-play access, as the Web increasingly provides mass entertainment and cheap communications via streaming audio and video, the temporary gap will eventually close.