Discussion

Discussion is the primary way in which we can share ideas and gain an understanding of not only our authors' viewpoints but, each other's viewpoints as well. Equally important, by expressing yourself, you will be challenged to clarify ideas that you may think are obvious until you attempt to articulate them to your peers. A central assumption of this course is that active participation and interchange between students is the most effective and stimulating form of learning. Remember, discussions are collective enterprises which, to function successfully, demand every member's preparation, attendance (albeit virtually), and participation. While students will vary in their conversational styles, learning to participate in discussion involves social and intellectual skills that are an essential part of education. These include: listening to others and learning to absorb and synthesize their remarks; learning to respond constructively and analytically to others' ideas; learning to develop and articulate positions of one's own; responding to criticism; and learning to modify or discard an argument as one comes to see another, more satisfactory one. Of course, these skills are all complicated by the mediums we'll be interacting through this semester. For example, you may find that it is easier for you to respond analytically to a classmate's ideas through e-mail while it is more difficult to absorb and synthesize remarks in the class' virtual discussion lounge. You should come to our virtual meetings (and participate over e-mail) eager to exchange ideas about the topics under study, ready to speculate and to question and also to ask for explanations when you feel confused. Please be forewarned: While attendance at our virtual meetings certainly affects your ABILITY to participate, it does not EQUAL participation. Discussion should demonstrate critical engagement with the material and the thoughts of others. Remember, this is an upper division humanities course which asks you to thoughtfully consider the issues which intersect the mass phenomenon of web publication and online exhibition.

Class discussion will occur largely through our class' Web Chat room.

To ensure, logistically, that everyone will be able to participate, as a class we will decide on two virtual meeting times per topic of approximately two hours in length each. At these times, we'll log on and congregate in the chatroom to discuss our responses, as a group, to class material. You will be required to attend one of these meetings per class topic. Currently there are six topics for the class thus, over the course of the semester, you will be expected to attend six Web chats. You may, of course, attend additional Web chats if you need further explanation of a topic. Also, in the past, I have been able to secure several guest speakers to join us in the chat rooms. While nothing is confirmed yet, I hope to have several guest speakers again this summer.

At the beginning of the semester I will provide a link from this page to our scheudle of Web chats and to the Web chat room. We'll also spend some time the first day of class going over how to use the chatroom.