jeanne.hamming
english.dept.
centenary.college
jhamming@centenary.edu
313.JAC
318.869.5082

english/comm.383: digital cultures
TR 2-3:15/JAC 113
office.hours: TR 8:30-9:40, 11-12, 3:15-4
(and by appointment)

view.schedule

course.description

This course explores the intersections of digital technologies, contemporary culturaltheories, literature, and film. It is a study of the ways technology-- social, mechanical, and especially digital--have formed, reformed, and transformed our everyday experience. We will investigate the implications of new technologies on our notions of identity, community, and society, and we will revel in the strange and exciting world of cyber-sub-cultural artists, geeks, and hackers in an effort to understand the allure and pitfalls of cyberspace.

course.goals

• to critically analyze the development and deployment of digital technologies as it relates to everyday experiences.

• to explore the implications of digital culture(s) on human identity and the body: gender and sexuality, race, ethnicity, etc.

• to investigate the basic ethical dimensions of cyberspace, including issues of privacy and surveillance, censorship and copyright, knowledge and power, and consumption and environment.

• to respond critically and meaningfully to the important issues associated with digital cultures and practices.

texts

Boellstorff, Tom. Coming of Age in Second Life
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows
Shirky, Clay. Here Comes Everybody
Stephenson, Neal. Snow Crash
selected films
selected handouts (edmodo)

edmodo

We will be using a social networking platform called edmodo to help us communicate and for document storage and delivery. When you sign up for edmodo and join our course group, be sure that you receive emails and/or texts when new content is added. Otherwise, you may miss important announcements or discussions. Edmodo can be found here: http://www.edmodo.com/

assignments.and.grading

response papers (4; 2-3 pages) 20%
research prospectus (2-3 pages) 10%
research paper (12-15 pages; 10-12 sources) 30%
research portfolio (includes all notes, drafts, bibliography, non-book sources) 10%
research presentation (20-25 minutes) 15%
Attendance, Preparation and Participation, Work Ethic 15%*

*If you have a strong attendance record, prepare for class by doing all readings and assignments, participate in discussions, and generally display a commitment to learning, you will earn a high score. If you have frequent absences, fail to do the assigned work, don't engage in class, and/or generally goof off this grade will negatively reflect this.

• Papers are due in class on the dates indicated in the schedule. No exceptions. Late papers will receive an F. Papers must be turned in as printed hard copies. Emailed papers will only be accepted in EXTREME circumstances.

• All assignments must be completed in order to pass this course.

• Every essay you submit should include a descriptive title and a list of works cited in MLA format.

• Keep one electronic and one paper copy of all written assignments, originals and revisions. You may be asked to re-submit material at any time during the semester.

attendance

Please note my (and the English Department's) Policy on Attendance: to be eligible to pass, a student may miss no more than three times the weekly number of class meeting, regardless of the reason for these absences. This means that for classes like this one that meet two (2) times a week, students who have in excess of six (6)absences cannot pass the course. Missing class will also negatively 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 preparation and 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.

plagiarism.and.academic.dishonesty

Don't do it.

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