Syllabus

Class schedule

Assignments

Students

Readings & resources

Weblog

Assignments:

Most assignments in this course are writing assignments. It is expected that you write in clear, formal, academic language. If you need help with improving your writing skills, please let me know early in the semester. You can contact the University Writing and Speaking Tutorial service for support.

1. Weekly reflections: 15%
-- due each week
These are brief summaries/comments about the text you just read for the class. It's expected that you make a one paragraph summary of the text you just read, adding your own personal comments and points of view. Whenever possible, try to connect your reading and comments with previous class-discussions and assigned texts.

All text comments shall be posted in the class weblog prior to the class meeting. Posts are graded as 1, 1/2 or 0. Late posts will automatically receive a 0. However, if you don't post until the following week after the text is due, you will get a -1. You are excused from writing your comment if you are presenting to the class.

In the first day of class you will receive a login and a password, as well as detailed instructions on how to post your comments.

You are expected to write a minimum of 8 lines and maximum of 15 lines, in 1.5 leading space, 1” margins, 12-point font. For each post, you are expected to answer the following questions:

• what is the text's main idea? (maximum of 3 topics)
• why do you think this text is/is not important to the critical analysis of communication media?

You are also encouraged to comment/reply to your colleagues’ posts.

General instructions to post comments:
1. Go to: http://www.souzaesilva.com/com327/wp-login.php
2. Login with your username and password.
3. Go to "Write > Write post"
4. Give a title to your post: the title should be the name of the text author, e.g., Hayles.
5. Write your post.
6. Sign your post (include <p></p><p></p> by "your name")
7. Assign a category to your post. This should be your name, listed on the right hand side of the page.
8. Unclick the "uncategorized" category.
9. Click "publish".
10. To view your post, click on "View Site" on the top right hand corner of the page.
11. If you wish to re-edit it, click on "Edit" below your post, which will take you back to the post interface. Make your changes and click "save".

NOTE: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CLICK ON YOUR NAME UNDER "CATEGORY" BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR POST. FAILURE TO DO THAT WILL **NOT** ASSIGN THE POST TO YOUR NAME AND THEREFORE I'LL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE IT.

2. Group presentations: 35%
-- due date TBD
Your group presentation will be a 55-minute in-class presentation to your peer students. The remaining 20 minutes will be dedicated to class discussion.

We will use the book First person: New Media as Story, Performance, and Game, edited by Noah Wardrip-Fruin and Pat Harrigan. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

The book is organized as a series of debates among scholars on the themes of cyberdrama, ludology, critical simulation, game theories, hypertexts & interactives, the pixel/the line, beyond chat, and new readings. Besides having scholars respond to authors in the book, the book continues online in an endless debate. Each group will choose one topic, and present the texts under this topic. It is expected that, following the structure of the book, you present not only the authors’ ideas and discussion, but also position yourself in this discussion, critically analyzing the medium/topic in question. It is encouraged that the structure of your presentation also follow a debate model, having you and your co-presenters engaging with the authors’ arguments, responding to each other. Moreover, the group should not only limit their research on the book, but look for outside sources in order to support your own argument.

1. Abstract (2 minutes): Summary of the topic
2. Description (3 minutes): Matter-of-fact description of the topic and brief background on authors' biographies
3. Analysis (45 minutes):
1. 15 min.
• Presentation of text 1 - student 1
• Response of text 1 - student 2
• Online response of text 1 - student 3
2. 15 min.
• Presentation of text 2 - student 2
• Response of text 2 - student 3
• Online response of text 2 - student 1
3. 15 min.
• Presentation of text 3 - student 3
• Response of text 3 - student 1
• Online response of text 3 - student 2
4. Conclusions (4 minutes)
• How would you expand the topic? Possible future developments.
• What did your team learn from this presentation?
5. References (1 minute)
• Minimum of three books, articles, essays, or Web sites about the topic (at least one book required)
• References should follow APA style.
6. Discussion (20 minutes)
• Give 3-5 questions to generate class discussion; lead class discussion

If your group has more participants than texts, I recommend that one student stays responsible for the introduction, conclusion and online responses, playing a more critical role on the presentation. Please be aware that ALL participants should read all texts and be prepared to answer to questions.

You should practice your presentation before presenting in class. The group must not go over 55 minutes. A good way to control your time is to plan to cover one slide per minute. Do not fill the slide with text.

The presentation will be evaluated based on:

• the substance of research, that is:
• how you describe your main article in adequate detail
• if you addequately apply the theories we discussed in class to the texts discussed,
• how your group connects the text discussed
• how you address research questions,
• how you connect with other reading and theories studied in class,
• how you conceptualize the topic in a broader context,
• your conclusions (how to expand the topic).
• how clearly it is presented to the class, that is:
• if your presentation is clear and well-organized,
• if you use audio/visual materials
• your presentation skills
• how your group leads the class discussion after the presentation
• A correct citation of sources will also be evaluated
• you should also mention your sources during the presentation
• You may use HTML or Power Point slides to present your topic.

All presentations should be turned in as a CD-ROM right after the presentation.

3. Final Research Paper: 40%
-- due 12.07
This will be a research paper which combines rigorous analysis of some topic within the general subject of Critical Analysis of Communication Media. Every research paper starts with a clear research question (e.g. are cell phones new media?) and/or a clear statement recognizing a shift in the current situation (e.g. shift from the printed book to hybrid book forms). It must be an original study written by you for this course and based on scholarly sources.

You should pick one (new) media type discussed in class (e.g. mobile technologies, hybrid books, games/pervasive games, new writing forms, new media art), and make a comparative analysis between two media forms. In order to narrow down your argument and be specific about your theme, try to be as precise as possible when defining your topic. For example, if you decide to research new media as games, you must choose which type of game you are investigating (e.g., location-based games, video games) and then pick two games for focusing your analysis (e.g., Botfighters and/or Mogi, in the case of location-based games). Your paper must have a clear thesis statement; clear supporting points; a logical, argument-based structure; and concrete, well-documented evidence.

No matter which topic you choose, you should always connect to broader historical/social/spatial implications and connect it to at least one of the conceptual analysis we studied in the first part of the course (interfaces, virtuality, information, (hyper/cyber/technotexts). (e.g. analyse cell phones as new interfaces for playing games).

A written proposal for your topic should be given to me no later than October 17th. Your paper must have:

• Abstract / 5 keywords / Introduction / Conclusion / References.
• a clear research question;
• a clear thesis statement;
• clear supporting points;
• a logical, argument-based structure; and
• concrete, well-documented evidence.

Directions for the paper:

• Minimum of 8 pages and maximum of 12 pages, not including title page, notes, references list, and appendix.
• double space, 1” margins, 12-point font, and no extra space between paragraphs.
• If you want to include images, insert them as an appendix. Don’t forget to mention copyright and sources.
• Cover page with the paper title, your name, class name/number, and date.
• Follow the APA style guide for references. (information on the APA style guide can be found here. A copy of the publications manual is also available at the NCSU library).
• You must have at least 8 sources; at least 5 of these must be scholarly sources. You should cite at least 3 texts used in class.

The paper will be evaluated based on:

• your topic definition, that is:
• how you define your research question in adequate detail.
• if you analyze some aspect of new media (defining why the chosen topic is new media)
• makes an adequate comparative critical analysis.
• the substance of your research, that is: .
• the originality of your idea
• how you completely and clearly discuss the issues involved drawing from class lectures, discussions and readings.
• how you define, review, and draw on the relevant scholarly literature.
• how you provide specific criteria and evidence for the position being espoused based upon readings and lectures.
• the adequate lenght of your paper.
• if your research is appropriate to your topic.
• your citation of sources:
• the adequate number of sources.
• the adequate number of scholarly sources.
• the proper formating of the sources.
• the overall mechanics of your paper:
• if the paper is clearly organized.
• the quality of your writing (paragraph transitions, spelling, grammar, punctuation).

You will write this paper by completing a series of 4 individual assignments, each of which contributes to the total of 40% of your grade:

• A one-paragraph statement of your proposed topic. (10.17)
• An annotated list of 5 sources relevant to your topic; at least 3 of these must be scholarly journals or books. This last can and should be expanded when your final paper is ready. (11.02)
• Paper outline. A good example on how to write a paper outline can be found at the Online Writing Lab at Purdue's University: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_outlinS.html (11.14)
• The final paper. (12.07)

For additional help on writing your paper look at the followint Workshop: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResearchW/index.html

Scholarly sources