| The course is divided into three units, each dealing with a different
topic and taking a slightly different approach to digital writing. Unit I: Cyber Neighborhoods / Sociality on the internet Platform: Class Blog (Blogger) In this unit we will look how online communities evolve and function: social-networking websites like Facebook and Myspace, communities on other sites such as Youtube, Flickr, Twitter, and Wikipedia, and virtual spaces such as Second Life. You will choose a community, research it, and then write a post about it on our class blog, present it in class, and write a paper about it. You will also be expected to comment on other students’ blog posts. Unit II: The Big Sell / American political and commercial advertising Platform: Individual Blog (Blogger) This unit will be about all sorts of advertising: print, online, TV, radio, etc. In particular, since the unit will coincide with the presidential elections, we will analyze some of the tactics used in political advertising. You will set up a blog of your own and choose some advertising feature to focus on, and then post examples and commentaries. This will become your research for your second paper. Unit III: A Brief History of X / How things came to be the way they are Platform: Wiki (GoogleSites) In the final unit you will work in groups to explore the history of something that you may not have previously thought of as having a history: a concept, a social convention, or a common artifact. Some examples might be restaurants, bathrooms, or birthday presents. With the members of your group you will collaborate on a wiki about your topic, and you will develop your work on the wiki into your final paper. Grade Breakdown Class participation: 15% (attendance / discussion / peer review) Unit I Class blog (posts / comments): 10% First paper: 10% Unit II Individual blog (posts): 15% Second paper: 15% Unit III Group wiki (posts / revisions): 15% Third paper: 20% |
Units and grade breakdown |