http://www.glue.umd.edu/~mgk/courses/spring2003/467/index.html

Description

An exploration of the changing face of textuality in an online era, with the emphasis on the interplay between electronic writing (“cybertext”) and other forms of digital media (visual, video, audio, kinetic, immersive). We will examine electronic texts and the future of writing in relation to both the history of the oral and the written word and the shift from page to screen that culminates in the emergence of what one critic terms "information space." Our point of departure will be a reading of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, one of the greatest fables of artifice and technology we have. This text will become the vehicle by which we traverse a wide array of experimental digital landscapes, to include Shelley Jackson’s refashioning of the original tale as her hypertext fiction Patchwork Girl and the interactive imaginative milieu that is the FrankenMOO. Students will also “visualize” a portion of the narrative for presentation on the World Wide Web. Our objective in constantly positioning and re-positioning Frankenstein within these transformative textual and narrative spaces will be to explore (hands-on) a variety of new technologies while gaining an appreciation of the rich and diverse forms of textuality made manifest in existing and emerging electronic environments. In the process, all students will learn practical Web publishing skills and techniques for expressing themselves in electronic settings--essential tools for literacy in the 21st century.

No prior technical knowledge is expected or assumed. This is, however, a 400-level English class, and as such will assume prior experience with reading and discussing literature at the university level.

Texts

All of the following are available for purchase at the University Book Center. If you get the texts elsewhere please ensure that they are the correct edition.

Shelley Jackson, Patchwork Girl [CD] (Eastgate Systems)
David M. Levy, Scrolling Forward: Making Sense of Documents in the Digital Age (Arcade)
Walter Ong, Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word (Routledge)
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (Penguin)
Optional: Ron White, How Computers Work (Que)

Requirements and Grading

One 7-8 page paper, based on a topic I will assign. 25% total.

An electronic project, consisting of either a MOO space or a Web-based HTML site—you’ll each get to choose which one—based upon work done with these formats during our in-class lab sessions. 35%.

A mid-term and final exam. The final exam will be given at the date and time scheduled by the Registrar. It will cover material primarily (but not exclusively) from the second half of the semester. 20% each, 40% total.

Participation (both in class and via email) and quizzes. This is not a lecture class—enthusiastic and informed participation is expected of everyone. In addition, I may administer surprise quizzes at any time—and will not hesitate to do so if the class seems unprepared. Participation and quizzes will both be taken into consideration when calculating borderline grades.

Attendance Policy and Late Work

Attendance is mandatory—if you’re not here, you’re not contributing to the group. Each of you will be allowed two (2) unexcused absences for the semester. An unexcused absence is not just an absence without any explanation; rather, it is an absence due any one of the innumerable conflicts and mishaps that afflict us all as busy human beings living in a complicated world. The following are all typically unexcused absences: aches, pains, and common cold-like symptoms; non-emergency medical care; anything related to your job or internship; car trouble (including traffic and parking); recreational travel; and the first day of spring weather. Excused absences typically involve a medical emergency, a serious illness, or a death or serious illness in your immediate family. Students who require accommodation for attendance or assignments due to religious or other special obligations should inform me of the fact as far ahead of time as possible—absences in such cases will be excused.

For every unexcused absence beyond the first two I will demote your final course grade by one degree (including plus/minus). So, someone with a straight A course grade but a total of four unexcused absences for the semester would receive a B+ for the course. Missing more than a total of seven (7) of the semester’s classes with unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course regardless of your performance. There may be one or more opportunities to make up an unexcused absence during the semester (attendance at lectures and other special events relevant to the course).

All work is due on the date given on the course calendar, unless you have made a specific prior arrangement with me. Late work without prior arrangement will be demoted up to one full letter grade (or not accepted at all if more than a week overdue).

You are responsible for the material you miss if you are absent. Note that I will not respond to “what did I miss” queries via email (ask a friend in the class, or come see me during office hours).

Computer Accounts

Subscription to the class’s electronic coursemail list is mandatory. All students who have a valid email address in Testudo should be automatically subscribed. I will use the list to post announcements, updates to the calendar, and other administrative items. You should get into the habit of checking your email at least once a day. You will be held responsible for the content of all email announcements 24 hours after they have been posted. We will also all use the list to continue and further our in class discussions. Your contributions to the list will be taken into account when I consider your class participation.

All of you must also open a WAM account, which you will learn to use during the course of the semester. All online work must be done on WAM, and not on a private ISP. (This policy will help me to help you troubleshoot if and when problems arise.)

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to abide by the University’s code of academic integrity: <http://www.inform.umd.edu/CampusInfo/Departments/JPO/code_acinteg.html>. Students are also requested to sign the Honor Pledge to all written work: “I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment/examination.” Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will be referred to the University Honor Council.

Course Calendar

Generally, Tuesdays will be lecture/discussion sessions and Thursdays will be hands-on workshop sessions. Note, however, that you may still have reading assigned for a Thursday. Please bring your books to class at all times. Abbreviations used: SF, Scrolling Forward; OL, Orality and Literacy.

Week One

T 1.28: Introduction.

R 1.30: From The Education of Henry Adams: “The Dynamo and the Virgin” <http://www.bartleby.com/159/25.html>.

Week Two

T 2.4: Levy, SF 7-20; Shelley, Frankenstein 1-12.

R 2.6: Frankenstein 13-98; “Introduction to FrankenMOO” <http://www.lcc.gatech.edu/~broglio/rc/frankenstein/started.html>

Week Three

T 2.11: Frankenstein 99-178.

R 2.13: Frankenstein 179-215.

Week Four

T 2.18: Levy, SF 21-39; Ong, OL 5-15.

R 2.20: Nowviskie, “Giddy_Fruit in the MUD” <http://www.people.virginia.edu/~bpn2f/giddy.html>.

Week Five

T 2.25: Levy, SF 39-58; Ong, OL 31-36, 49-57, 69-74, 75-77.

R 2.27: Dibbell, “A Rape in Cyberspace” <http://www.levity.com/julian/bungle_vv.html>.

Week Six

T 3.4: Ong, OL 78-116; Levy, SF 78-100.

R 3.6: Workshop.

Week Seven

T 3.11: Ong, OL 117-138.

R 3.13: Workshop.

Week Eight

T 3.18: Mid-term.

R 3.20: “MITH’s Introductory Guide to HTML” <http://www.mith.umd.edu/teaching/tutorials/html/index.html>.

Week Nine (SPRING BREAK)

Week Ten

T 4.1: Levy, SF 101-117; Jackson, Patchwork Girl.

R 4.3: TBA.

Week Eleven

T 4.8: Patchwork Girl; Jackson, “Stitch Bitch”

<http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/papers/jackson.html>.

R 4.10: HTML.

Week Twelve

T 4.15: Levy, SF 137-157; Patchwork Girl; Paper Due.

R 4.17: HTML.

Week Thirteen

T 4.22: Levy, SF 158-179; Electronic Literature (Readings TBA).

R 4.24: HTML.

Week Fourteen

T 4.29: Electronic Literature (Readings TBA).

R 5.1: HTML.

Week Fifteen

T 5.6: Workshop.

R 5.8: Workshop.

Week Sixteen

T 5.13: Projects Due.