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[nclc375/engl360] syllabus fall 2002 |
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| Course Description
Textual Media (English 360/NCLC375) is a course devoted to the critical reading of new media texts, and to the creation of technology-enriched texts in a variety of rhetorical genres targeted towards specific audiences. Whether produced as hypertext, multimedia or new media productions, such technology-enriched texts often present a complex textuality of words, images, words-as-image and kinetic text. The analysis and creation of such texts is reader-centered and interactive to an extent only theoretically possible in traditional printed texts. For example, while the reader 'makes meaning' in all texts, that intellectual process of cognitive leaps, constant re-assessment of information and imaginative projection is dramatically visible in new media compositions. Here, the reader's activity alters the text; there is no "next page" or pre-determined path. Such an active reading requires new critical skills which this course aims to provide. The course includes both the analysis of text embedded within such technology- enhanced writing and that which surrounds this emerging medium. In addition to critical reading and interpretive skills (such as accepting that there is no fixed text, or that the activity of reading creates the text), the course will provide historical and theoretical contexts for the development of contemporary textual media. Students in the course will read, analyze, research, critique, and finally create new media texts in a variety of formats, such as native hypertext, dynamic HTML, text-as-film (via Flash animation, for example), and so on. The course is not intended to teach the technology that creates innovative textual media per se: rather, it examines the ways in which these technologies both re-inforce and alter ideas of what text it, where it may be inscribed and how it may be produced. While the application of hypertext and hypermedia theories to creative writing genres is burgeoning, the application of such theories to traditional factual genres (such as the communication of research, persuasive communications, argument and advocacy) is still developing. This course allows students to explore critically such genres and gain command of a new rhetorical field for academic, educational, informational, technical and business communication. |
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| Required Texts
Lev Manovich: The Language of New Media Richard Lanham: The Electronic Word Shelley Jackson: Patchwork Girl |
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| Assignments
This course requires three major assignments and a series of mini-assignments which re-inforce work in class and help writers to complete the major assignments. Unless otherwise indicated, we expect writers to present their writings electronically on a course web page (or on disc if the presentation exceeds the space constraints of the writer's mason web page). Do not worry if you do not yet possess a web page! First, we shall teach web page creation in class. Secondly, you should remember that we are not assessing you on your computer-enriched writing skills per se. Instead we are assessing the originality, skill and responsiveness to audience needs with which you apply the skills you already possess, and those your learn in class, to the writing assignments. |
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| Grading
First, we want to reiterate that this is a writing course, not a computer-related skills course. We shall be grading the quality of the texts you produce in relation to the specific requirements of each assignment. Originality and an understanding of the rhetorical potential of new textual media are more important than a facility with multiple software programs or programming skill. However, we shall look for the progressive application to assignments of technology-enriched writing and reading theories introduced in class.
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| Assessment Criteria
A-grade work: Excellence in critical analysis, rhetorical deployment of the medium, and sophisticated writing; an original contribution to the theory and practice of textual media; a professional standard of grammar and spelling suitable to publication in the global network of the Web B-grade work: Above-average command of critical analysis, rhetorical deployment of the medium, and clear, concise writing; a sophisticated understanding of the theory and practice of textual media; a good standard of grammar and spelling C-grade work: Adequate command of critical analysis, rhetorical deployment of the medium, and clear writing; a basic understanding of the theory and practice of textual media; adequate grammar and spelling but some work required D-grade work: Superficial critical analysis, lack of rhetorical understanding of the medium and muddled writing; inadequate grasp of the theory and practice of textual media which inhibits the writer's analysis and personal writing; erratic grammar and spelling which inhibits the reader's understanding ot the writer's work Please Note
b) We feel no obligation to grade late work unless the writer has previously informed us of the late submission and explained the circumstances of the delay. Late work will lose one grade fraction for every class day it is late. However, we know that sometimes circumstances do overwhelm even the most conscientious writers. Thus we shall allow each writer one 'Life Happens' late submission. |
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| week one
(8/26) |
Introduction to course; examples of interactive
fiction (Colossal
Cave), web-based hypertext (Hegirascope),
text-as-image(Straight
Talk for Troubled Times); text-as-film (Never
Woman), stand-alone hypertext (Shelley Jackson: Patchwork Girl).
Web-publishing: open individual class web page & upload documents.
Intellectual Precursors: Marinetti & the Futurists; Dada;
Surrealism; Concrete Poetry; Fluxus & Performance; Situationists.
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| for week three | Richard Lanham, chapters 1, 2, 5; Katherine Hayles, "Flickering Connectivities" |
| week two
(9/2) |
Labor Day holiday. No Class |
| week three
(9/9) |
Introduction to web-based hypertext
(HTML-hypertext):
limitations & horizons
Reading stand-alone hypertext & concepts of hyperlinking Poetry, Please |
| for week four | Lev Manovich, chapter 1. Nicholas Burbules, "Rhetoric of the Web" |
| week four
(9/16) |
Due: Draft of critical reading of literary
hypertext.
Workshop in class |
| for week five | Lanham, chapter 4; Mark Amerika, "Stitch Bitch" |
| week five
(9/23) |
Due: Critical reading of a literary hypertext.
1250-1500 word essay.
Minimum of five interlinked screens posted to individual class web page Introduction to Research: Library, Search Engines, Sources for
new disciplines; Online vs Hard-copy: the choices
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| for week six | Lanham, chapters 8 & 9 |
| week six
(9/30) |
Identifying credible information online.
Mini assignment: Information Evaluation Exercise |
| for week seven | Online readings
Joyce Walker "Textural
Textuality: A Personal Exploration of Critical Race Theory"
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| week seven
(10/7) |
Research
Proposal: Multigenre
Storyboarding assignment (research essay): Mapping the Mind of the Author. |
| for week eight | Lev Manovich, chapter 2 |
| week eight
(10/15)
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This week's class meets on Tuesday night. Tuesday
classes do not meet this week.
Introduction to Dynamic Text: (DHTML
and Flash animation) |
| for week nine | Complete the Draft of your research essay |
| week nine
(10/21) |
Due: Draft of research
essay. Workshop Reading multimedia: text, image, sound, animation Subsidiary windows |
| for week ten | |
| week ten
(10/28) |
Due: Research
essay. 2000-2500 words. 5-6 credible, scholarly resources. Coherent
linking structure. Posted to individual class web page.
Audience: Reader? Viewer? Actor? |
| for week eleven | Lev Manovich, chapter 3 |
| week eleven
(11/4) |
Reading creativity: text & art Mini-Assignment: analyze audience & author expectations of audience in one interactive textual art piece |
| for week twelve | Lev Manovich, chapter 4 |
| week twelve (11/11) | Devices and Techniques: workshop javascript,
java applets (i.e. anfy) Beginners' guide to inserting javascripts Mini-Assignment: Demonstrate textual effects in a meaningful context |
| for week thirteen | Lev Manovich, chapter 5 |
| week thirteen (11/18) | Putting it Together: the Textual Production
Review story-board, flow-charting, etc. |
| for week fourteen | Complete Draft of
Interactive Textual Production
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| week fourteen
(11/25) |
Due: Draft of
Interactive Textual Production
Workshop ITP |
| for week fifteen | Complete reviews of ITP and bring any problems
to class.
Lev Manovich, chapter 6 |
| week fifteen (12/2) | Workshop and Troubleshooting
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| Exam date (12/16)
4:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. |
Interactive Textual Production presentation |
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<the beginning> |
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fall 2002 |
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in the college of arts and sciences george mason university |
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