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English 285, section 90 -- Writing in Electronic Spaces [This is an online course]

Overview and Objectives :: Homework & Schedule :: Assignments & Grading

The course objectives are designed to enable students to:

• explore the breadth of electronic communication [chapter responses; Snood]
• understand the implications of access and control of electronic spaces [syllabus response; discussions; final exam]
• critically address and analyze digital communication [webbing project].

If you need to contact me by e-mail at "fidallas@svsu.edu," the subject line should contain your last name, course and section number [for example, using my name the subject line would be: Dallas, English 285-90] to prevent your e-mail from being misplaced as possible spam.

The reading and response assignments we undertake will give us some background to online communication, and allow us to think about the ubiquitous electronic world of communicating. Along the way we will create a roadmap for others to follow, as we discuss, respond to, and critique writings and writers in various online modes including MySpace, Facebook, message boards, online chat, IM, and weblog (blog) space. Discussions online will constitute the majority of this course, as we explore how cyberspace either makes our meanings plain or just muddles up the works. Finally, putting it all together we will see whether we have come to a consensus and use the final exam to reflect our thoughts.

NOTE: All responses and work for the course will be burned to CD and turned in at the final exam period.

Required texts--please bring the first three to all in-class sessions:

• New Media: Theories and Practices of Digitextuality, John Caldwell and Anna Everett, eds. Taylor & Francis, 2003, ISBN: 0415939968.
• Race in Cyberspace, by Beth E. Kolko, Lisa Nakamura, and Gilbert B. Rodman, eds. Taylor & Francis, 1999, ISBN: 0415921635.
• Cyberculture: The Key Concepts, by David J. Bell. Routledge, 2003, ISBN: 0415247543.
• Snood, by Dave Dobson. http://www.womgames.com.

Other resources:

• Online student support webpage here
• Student Technology Center, 2nd Floor, Zahnow Library here
• The Writing Center, 3rd Floor, Zahnow Library here
• Research assistance at SVSU Zahnow Library here and here
• Information Technology Services @ SVSU here
• Your local public library *elsewhere*

Course weekly schedule:
Activities are DUE on the date indicated by the course schedule. Please review to plan your time wisely. If you are not able to make all the in-class sessions, you may wish to consider dropping this course.

Notes
Class days: T = Tuesday; R=Thursday; IC=in class; OL=online
Texts: NM=New Media: Theories and Practices of Digitextuality; RIC=Race in Cyberspace; CKC=Cyberculture: The Key Concepts
Assignments: "Dallas1.rtf" sample name for assignments--you will replace my last name with your last name when turning in your assignments. Your assignments should be saved as "RTF (rich text format) files.

Each response will be typed for this class. The documents will be typed, single-spaced, with one-inch margins. Use Arial 12 point, Bookman Old Style12 point, or Century Gothic 11 point fonts. The top of the paper should be formatted as such:

[your name]
English 285-90
Dr. Dallas
[date]

Then skip a line and center the following:

[assigned reading or text for response]

Skip another line and begin your response. When directed, upload your response to VSpace assignments. You should name your file by this format: [lastname+assignment number], or "Dallas1.rtf" (Examples are listed in the assignment schedule above). Please ensure your original file has the same name, or change it in the Properties box in the document. Your assignment should be saved as an RTF (rich text format) document, and not a DOC or WPD file. I will deduct one point for incorrectly named files. .

The online assignments are due by 3 p.m. on the date indicated. Turn in your paper in the VSpace Assignment section. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted.

Syllabus overview -- 0 points:
Read over the webpages to the online syllabus and formulate a response (see above specifics) in the following format:
~ Structure--one page, one image, and at least 300 words covering the Content and Question sections below:

Electronic communication profile -- 5 points (save as PDF file):
Design/write a paper based on the following Structure and Content:
Structure--One page; One image; and At least 300 words.
Content--This class takes a look at communication in electronic contexts. What do you think about visual or textual choices? How will communication reshape itself? What electronic communication problem will persist in the future? What electronic communication problem will be solved in the future?

Chapter responses -- 10 responses of 5 points each; total of 50 points:
A one-page response to the assigned reading should primarily focus on a brief summary of the chapter and then your particular explanation or reaction to the chapter, with the understanding that other responses are possible. This response should be a brief summary of the chapter (2/3 of response) and then your reaction (1/3 of response). A short response equals a short grade.

Readings are assigned on Thursdays, with the responses due the following Thursday. Please check the syllabus for the due time. For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted. There may be some collaborative work on some of the chapters assigned. The goal is to help you address specific issues at hand--not overwhelm you with reading.

Discussions -- leading (5 points) and participating (5 points) -- 10 points:
Each student will be expected to lead and contribute to online discussions of the topics presented through the reading assignments. The dichotomy therein guides us to the problematic use of electronic spaces for communication and meaning. Minimum discussion will be reflected in minimum points.

Webbing project -- 20 points:
This project will showcase the student's interest in electronic or visual communication. Possible project areas include setting up a blog, website, or online journal, or creating a short movie or newsletter, or conducting in-depth research into a specific topic area. Perhaps a chapter response triggers an interest in a particular topic. More details will be discussed online, and ideas will be shared to help develop projects. You have the option to work individually or on a project team.

Snood -- 5 points:
Computer games can be an avenue for exploring unfamiliar or difficult electronic processes--as well as be an avenue for gaining proficiency in and an understanding of implicit pathways of digital communication. In order to make sure that you don't lose your sense of humor and become too serious, it is required that you play at least one hour of Snood per week. You will post your score and level in the appropriate thread on VSpace. Along the way, note if you see similarity of function or an associative process with the various forms of electronic communication that we study. At the end of the semester we will compare scores, and you will be asked to report your high scores for the various levels.

CD course portfolio & Final exam -- 10 points:
The final exam details will be provided during the examination period. The final exam will be a scenario that requires you to consider the readings we have undertaken this semester, and provide an in-class written response. You may use whatever notes, class readings, or discussion topics you have available in your response.