overview. Historically, multimedia became an area of interest among literary critics in the early nineties when a handful of cutting-edge "interactive artists" (e.g. Michael Joyce, Stuart Moulthrop) and hypertext enthusiasts (e.g. George Landow, Jay David Bolter, Espen Aarseth) made much ado about this new mode of expression that came to fruition at the juncture of emergent media technologies, critical theory, and literature.

This class allows us the opportunity to explore the ways in which communication, especially writing and literature, has been impacted by the emergence of new media. Paying special attention to what N. Katherine Hayles calls "media specific analysis, the course begins with an overview of technologies of communication and the history of multimedia as a critical concept, and proceeds by conducting critical analyses of print-literature as well as "e-literature."

During the semester students will be expected to read carefully, participate in class discussions, ask and answer interesting questions, deliver well-prepared and polished presentations (alone and with partners), and write carefully crafted research papers in the style of the Modern Language Association (MLA).

course.goals

to think historically and critically about multimedia writing and literature and its relationship to more traditional (print?) based forms of literature, film, and art.

to gain the critical tools necessary to perform "media specific analysis" (MSA) of multimedia literature.

to carefully consider the multimedia production process. How does author-user collaboration affect issues of authorship and originality? How does hyperlinking transfer control from the producer/author to the consumer/reader? and so on. How is multimedia a more interactive and therefore embodied mode of experiencing a work?

to demonstrate an understanding of the role medium plays in the meaning-making process.

texts:

Danielewski, MZ. House of Leaves.
Ruben and Lullaby (interactive graphic novel for iPhone) from Opertoon
Selected handouts and websites

online.texts.&.resources:

edmodo
Opertoon
Electronic Literature Organization
Hyperrhiz
Vectors Journal of Culture and Technology
Blake Archive
House of Leaves forum

attendance

Please note the English Department Policy on Attendance: to be eligible to pass an English course, a student may miss no more than three times the weekly number of class meeting, regardless of the reason for these absences. For classes like this one that meet two times a week, students who have in excess of six absences cannot pass the course. This is true even if absences are sanctioned by the college (i.e athletics, theater, choir, etc) Frequent absences, even when they fall short of this absolute limit, will adversely affect your preparation and participation grade.

cellphones.laptops.iWhatevers

Cellphone use is not permitted or tolerated in this class.. All cellphones are to be turned off (not on vibrate) and stowed (ie. not on your person). The penalty for being caught using your cellphone in class is the loss of 1/2 of your participation grade.

Bags or purses containing cellphones should be placed beside you on the floor. Laptops and iPads are permitted for the purpose of looking at online course materials (the syllabus, readings, assignments). There is a two-strike policy regarding inappropriate laptop/iPad use. The FIRST time I catch you surfing the web, playing games or otherwise using your laptop/iPad inappropriately I will ask you to put it away and out of sight. The SECOND time I catch you, you will no longer be permitted to use your laptop/iPad during class.

projects.&.assignments

All assignments must be completed in order for you to pass the course.

1. (10%) Group presentation on Blake

2. (10%) a critical analysis of Blake illuminated manuscripts. (3-4pp)

3. (10%) a critical analysis (MSA) of a work of electronic literature. (3-4pp)

4. (15%) a critical analysis (MAS) of Danielewski's House of Leaves. (5-7pp)

5. (15%) Pecha Kucha presentation

6. (25%) Final Exam

7. (15%) Preparation and Participation, including regular attendance.

get.out.of.jail.free.card.

To promote an atmosphere of personal responsibility and fairness, each student will receive one "get out of jail free" card at the beginning of the semester. In other words, the goal here is to encourage students to be conscientious about completing assignments, done right the first time, by their due dates.You may use your card one time (I will keep a record of who uses his/her card and when) to:

"buy" a 24-hour extension on an out-of-class assignment

"buy" an opportunity to revise an essay for a better grade

You may not use your card to get out of an exam or assignment, to excuse an absence, or to retake a quiz or exam. You may not trade or sell your card to any other student.

schedule (click here to view)