Note: as this wiki page can be edited by anyone, this is for informational purposes only. The official version of the syllabus can be found here in PDF form.( 209-fall2008.pdf)

Course Attributes

Course Catalog Description

(B) Introduction to the relationship between traditional conceptions of writing and contemporary theories of new media. Three lecture hours and a two hour lab. Prerequisite: CPN 101 or 103. (4 cr. hrs.)

WRIT Writing Intensive Requirement

WI courses require the equivalent of at least 15 pages of assigned writing and adhere to the following guidelines:

• At least two written assignments that are reviewed before the end of the semester or in some upper division courses a single assignment that is written and reviewed in multiple drafts.
• Opportunities for serious revision.
• Classroom time spent on work directly related to writing.

Category 12: Science, Technology, Values and Society

The goal of this category is for students to reflect critically on problems that involve ethical or values-based judgments of technical information and/or issues that arise at the interface of science and society.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the manner in which value judgments are justified and how interpretation of technical information can lead to different conclusions, and/or issues at the interface of science and society that impact the modern world.

Required Readings

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYU Press.

Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. New Riders Press.

Shirky, C. (2008). Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations. Penguin Press HC.

Weinberger, D. (2008). Everything Is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder. Holt Paperbacks.

Krug, S. (2005). Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition.  New Riders Press.

Grading

Course Blog    30%

Web Identity Project    15%

Wiki Project    10%

Second Life Presentation    15%

Podcasting    15%

Video Project    15%

Assignment Descriptions

Course Blog

The course blog is the primary, regular means of communication and learning in the course. I expect that you will visit the blog three times a week, much like you would attend a conventional course three times a week. You will comment a minimum of two times every week and thirty times during the semester. You will be evaluated on both the regularity and quality of your participation. You will receive a mid-term evaluation on your blog participation. You may also request an evaluation at any time.

Web Identity Project

It is likely that you already have some web identity, probably a Facebook or MySpace page, maybe even a blog somewhere. In this project you will create a sustainable web identity for yourself that will extend from your existing identity, whatever that may be. This will include creating a blog and a portfolio web site.

Wiki Project

You are likely familiar with Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a prime example of wiki software put to work. A wiki is an application that allows participants to edit web pages with relative ease. For our wiki project you will work as a class to develop a series of wiki pages related to this course. Additional details will follow.

Second Life Presentation

Second LIfe is a virtual world inhabited by millions of people. We will explore this world as part of this course and you will be asked to give a presentation on your experience. This presentation will be a slidecast: a combination of PowerPoint slides, images, and audio.

Podcasting

You will produce three audio recordings discussing course material and distribute them to the class through iTunes University. These discussions may be done individually or in small groups.

Video Project

Working in small groups you will produce a short video (about five minutes) exploring some aspect of digital communication.

Course Policies

Working in Public Online Spaces

Several of the spaces in which you will work will be public spaces. That means that what you contribute in such spaces will be viewable by anyone with an Internet connection. In addition, these contributions will be searchable by Google and other search engines. We will discuss the reasons for this during the course. However, you have the option of employing a pseudonym (i.e., a false name) as long as I know who you are and you remain consistent with your choice.

Online Course Participation

For many of you this is your first fully online course. Online courses offer a high degree of flexibility for students, but they also demand maturity, self-motivation, and organization skills. This is a four-credit course. If it were a face-to-face course, you would spend five hours a week in class, and you would be expected to spend another seven hours a week outside of class: in other words, twelve hours a week. I  also expect you will spend twelve hours a week, on average, on this class. If you find the course taking more time than that, please speak with me.

If you know you have trouble with organizing your time, I suggest that you block off several hours every week that you will dedicate to this course. When students fail this course it is almost always because they get so far behind in the weekly work of the course.

In addition, in conventional courses, especially large lecture halls, it is sometimes enough simply to show up for class. There is no way to “show up” for an online course. You only appear when you make a contribution.

Student Disability Services

Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-1 - (607) 753-2066 - www.cortland.edu/sdc/dserve/

If you are a student with a disability and wish to request accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Disability Services. Information regarding your disability will be treated in a confidential manner.  Because many accommodations require early planning, requests for accommodations should be made as early as possible.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism, the act of claiming another’s writing as your own, is a serious form of academic dishonesty.  Students found guilty of plagiarism may expect to face the consequences described in the College Handbook.

Late Assignment Policy

Assignments turned in late will be reduced one full letter grade. Assignments later than one week may not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made.