Imagining the Future

The Politics and Possibilities of Emerging Information Technology

Duke University Literature Seminar 20.3, Spring 1996

Introduction / Logistics / Syllabus / Assignments / Links / Newsgroup / E-Mail Ted

Assignments

I. Class Participation

Because this class will be run as a seminar, is it crucial that every student be prepared to discuss - and critically engage - the materials for each session. To get your analytic juices flowing, I want you to have 2 things ready before each class: one specific question, comment, or concern about the reading, and one specific passage in the reading you'd like to look at in more detail.

II. Presentation

You'll be responsible for one 5-10 minute presentation on an object of cyberculture, such as a web site, Usenet group, TV show, novel, CD-ROM, record, game cartridge, zine, whatever. Presentations will be scheduled ahead of time to complement class readings; they're also a way to introduce other ideas and issues not included in the syllabus. The presentation should include:

A general description of the object, including analysis of its formal composition. When appropriate, bring in videotape, Xeroxes, or other materials to show the class. You will be expected to provide links to online objects in advance, so the class can scope them out ahead of time. (Just include them in a note to the class newsgroup.)
A discussion of the author, audience, context, and genre of the object, addressing who made it, who seems to be using it, how, and why.
Analysis relating the object to issues discussed in class.

III. Online Journal/Discussion

Rather than have you keep a journal, I'm requiring participation in the class newsgroup: duke.classes.lit20.s3. The minimum is to contribute at least one posting (of credible length) every week, and to read everyone else's postings. Posting can be on the readings, class discussions, or other cybertopics; hopefully, as the semester develops the list will take on a life of its own.

IV. Final Paper/Project

Your final work for this class can either be a 15-page written work or a multimedia project. The written work can be either an analytic essay or a piece of short fiction; multimedia possibilities could include a hypertext composition, Web site, or even working piece of software. The paper/project can be an extension of what you discuss in your presentation, or on a different topic altogether. Multimedia projects must include a 5-page essay discussing the process of creation and the ideas behind the project. I will expect you to be working on this project throughout the semester, and we will discuss the progress of your work at several conferences.

Deadlines:

Prospectus (1 page): Due Mon., Feb. 12

Outline (2-3 pages): Due Mon., March 18

Final Paper/Project: Due Wed., April 24

Introduction / Logistics / Syllabus / Assignments / Links / Newsgroup / E-Mail Ted

Last Updated 1/15/96