Because this is a special topics course, highly inductive in
approach, and not driven by necessity for coverage, I would like
to keep this daily schedule unusually fluid. Please check back
at least weekly for changes.
The current version is dated April 13,
2004.
Introduction
Tuesday, January 27
Introduction to the Course
Unit 1: Rhetorical Dimensions of Design
Thursday, January 29
Preparation:
- Find three web sites and web pages that work particularly
well for you. Another way to put this would be that if
you were designing web sites and pages you would emulate.
- Develop a list of reasons you find these sites and pages
attractive.
- Bring the URLs for these sites and pages to class with
you prepared to talk about your selections and what you
admire about them
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Issues in a rhetorical theory of web design
Tuesday, February 3
Developing your rhetorical sensitivities
Thursday, February 5
A vocabulary for developing a rhetorical theory of web design
Tuesday, February 10
Preparation:
- Read Benum, c. 1
- Using your readings analyze the website for this course.
What characteristics of the users should we attend to
in revising it? What revisions are suggested? Be prepared
to give support for your claims about the users and reasons
for your proposed alterations based in your analysis of
the users. This is preparation for some group work in
class.
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The importance of audience in rhetorical design. Group
Assignment #1
Thursday, February
12
Preparation:
- Preparation and review of redesigns for Group Assignment
#1
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Rhetorical dimensions of layout decisions.
Tuesday, February 17
Training in Netscape Composer. Class will meet in 3330 Computer
& Space Sciences Building
Thursday, February
19
Lost day due to illness
Tuesday, February 24
- Reports from groups on class website
Thursday, February
26
Preparation
- You
will have been assigned to a group and to a chapter of
Benum.
- Read that chapter.
- Using your knowledge of rhetorical theory so far prepare
a group presentation of 20 minutes answering the following
questions for websites with the rhetorical purpose specified
in your chapter:
- What special kinds of rhetorical decisions are required
for this type website?
- What rhetorical characteristic prominent in this
type of website is also a good lesson for all websites?
- How does purpose influence rhetorical choice?
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Group reports on chapter 2-4 of Benum
Tuesday, March 2
Group reports on chapter 5-7 of Benum
Thursday, March 4
- Producing Evaluative Work
- Wrap up of Unit 1
Unit 2: Internet as Rhetorical Space
Tuesday, March 9
Setting the framework for our study of the internet as rhetorical
space
Thursday, March 11
The internet and the reconfiguration of communicative space
Tuesday, March 16
Speed of communication and the reconfiguation of knowledge
Thursday, March 18
Commitment, play, and the tentativeness of internet communication
Tuesday, March 30
No class
Thursday, April 1
The internet and the formation of publics
Tuesday, April 6
The internet: medium or interactant
Thursday, April 8
Virtual relationships and communication
Tuesday, April 13
Return first projects
Groups and internet use
Thursday, April 15
The altered rhetorical space
Unit 3: The Internet and Socio-Political Change
Tuesday, April 20
Preparation:
- Read Anderson and Cornfield, cc. 1-3
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Internet and Political Process
Thursday, April 22
Groups will have opportunity to put final touches on their presentations
Tuesday,
April 27
Preparation:
- Read Anderson and Cornfield, cc. 4-6
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Report of Group: Political Campaigning and the internet
Thursday,
April 29
Preparation:
- Read Anderson and Cornfield, cc. 7-9
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Report of Group: Citizenship and the Internet
Tuesday,
May 4
Report of Group: Social Movements and the Internet
Thursday,
May 6
Report of Group: Responding to hate groups and the Internet
Preparation:
- Read Anderson and Cornfield, cc. 10-12
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