1
ATEC 3325: Introduction to Computer Mediated Communication
Fall 2006,
Section 001
(TR, 2
-3:15 p.m.)
Dr.
Gooch
Office Number: JO 4.128
Office Hours: MW, 1
-
4:00 p.m.
and by appointment
Office Phone: (972) 883
-
2038
E
-
mail:
john.gooch@utdallas.edu
Course Description
This introductory course on c
omputer-
mediated communication (CMC) will explore ways in which
human-
to
-
human communication interactions have been influenced or altered through the
use of
computer technology. How has the mediation of computers aff
ected the substance and processes
of our interactions with each other? How are vir
tual communities related to geo
political
communities? How do our understanding of language and communication change with CMC activities? We shall survey and study established
and emerging modalities of computer mediated communication
and
mediums such as email, egroups, bulletin boards, real
-
time chat rooms, web
cams, MOOs (multi-user domains object-
oriented) and MUDs (multi
-user domains). While this
course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of CMC, we
will
also analyze CMC from other theoretical perspectives such as that of communication and
cu
ltural studies, to name
a few.
ATEC 3325 is a reading intensive course, as
are
most introductions
to theories, and furthermore,
it is a writing intensive course. Your progress in this class will depend significantly on 1) your
demonstrated ability to respond to the readings in an informed and timely manner and 2) to apply any of the theoretical frameworks to CMC activitie
s for analysis in an informed manner, and
3) submitting assignments and other requirements in a timely manner.
I will give
detailed written
feedback on all assignments except the homework and class work
. You must rigorously proofread all work for spelling, grammar,
and mechanical errors. The student must meet
and
exceed
expectations to earn an “A” on any given assignment.
Course Goals and Objectives
Upon successful completion of ATEC 3325, students should be able to:
·
Practice and apply different approaches to and modes of written exposition as
appropriate to a variety of theses and subjects
associated with CMC
·
Write using effective technical requirements, including organization, mechanics, and
thesis development
·
Develop sensitivity to written language by b
eing able to employ and apply effective and
appropriate rhetorical devices directed at a defined audience
·
Demonstrate an ability to conduct research, apply source material, discuss general information, and apply logical process when writing
about CMC issue
s
·
Analyze CMC from
different
disciplinary perspectives (communication, cultural studies
, history) and com
municate that analysis in class discussions and in writing
·
Analyze and evaluate in writing
the arguments of CMC theorists
Required Textbooks
Lum, Casey Man Kong. (Ed.).
Perspectives on Culture, Technology and Communication
:
The
Media Ecology Tradition
. Hampton Press, 2006.
Vitanza, Victor J. (Ed.).
CyberReader
. Second Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 1999.
Wood, Andrew F. and Matthew J. Smith.
Online Communication
:
Linking Technology, Identity,
and Culture
. Second Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., 2005.
2
Skills and Other Requirements for the Course
The course is taught using WebCT. All students must have UTD User IDs and passwords to access course mate
rials—
including the submission of assignments. Students have the responsibility to ensure that the course remains accessible to them for the duration of the semester.
Note
: I reserve the right to modify this syllabus at any time during the course to suit
the needs
of the students and the course objectives. Any modifications shall be given to you in writing.
College level writing is expected in this course. Assignments that do not reflect college level
writing will not earn
high grades.
Assignments
Assignment
Points
%
Due Date
Literature Review (7 to 8 pages)
100
1
0%
September 8
Midterm Exam
(3 to 4 pages, prox)
100
10%
October 12
Critical Paper (draft, at least 7 pages)
100
10%
November 9
Critical Paper (10 to 15 pages)
200
2
0%
November 17
Final Exam
(3 to 4 pages, prox)
200
2
0%
TBA
Online Posts/Responses
(length varies)
200
20%
At least one per week
beginning August
21
Participation and
Attendance
100
10%
NA
NOTE:
You will double-space al
l papers and exam responses. Use only 11 or 12 point font.
G
rading Scale
930 –
1000 = A
900 –
929 = A -
870 –
899 = B+
830 –
869 = B
800 –
829 = B-
770 –
799 = C+
730 –
769 = C
700 –
729 = C-
670 –
699 = D+
630 –
669 = D
600 –
629 = D-
599
and below = F
(Grading scale is consistent with the UTD Undergraduate Cata
logue, 2004-
06
.)
ATEC 3325 Schedule, FALL
2006
Aug
17
Introduction to Course
Aug
22
Communicating with Technology
Wood and Smith, Chapters 1 and 2
Aug
24
Identity
Wood and Smith, Chapter 3
Aug
29
Communities in Cyberspace
Wood and Smith, Chapter 6
A
ug
31
Communities in Cyberspace
Part 2 (Vitanza)
Sept
5
(Cyber)Politics and (Cyber)Power
Wood and Smith, Chapter 8
3
Sept
7
(Cyber)Politics and (Cyber)Power
Wood and Smith, Chapter 9
Sept
12
Relationships and Conflict in Cyberspace
Wood and Smith, Chapter
4
Sept
14
Gender Issues
Kantrowitz, page 176 (Vitanza)
Herring, page 190 (Vitanza)
Sept
19
MUDs, MOOs, and Chatrooms
Part 7 (
Vitanza)
Sept
21
MUDs, MOOs, and Chatrooms
Part 7 (
Vitanza)
Sept
26
Internet Addiction
Wood and Smith, Chapter 5
Sept
28
The
Virtual Marketplace
Wood and Smith, Chapter 7
Oct
3
Freedom, Censorship, and Legal Aspects of
CMC
Part 3 (
Vitanza)
Oct
5
Freedom, Censorship, and Legal Aspects of
CMC
Barlow, page 318 (
Vitanza)
Crit
ical Art Ensemble, page 339 (
Vitanza)
Oct
10
VR and Cyberspace
Part 1 (
Vitanza)
Oct
12
Midterm Exam
Oct
17
Cyberspace and Popular Culture
, the Cyberpunk
Wood and Smith, Chapter 10
Part 6 (Vitanza)
Oct
19
Cyberspace and Popular Culture, the Cyberpunk
The Cyberpunk
Part 6 (Vitanza)
Oct
24
Introduction to Med
ia Ecology
Lum, Chapter 1 (
CTC
)
Morrison, Chapter 7 (
CTC
)
Oct
26
Introduction to Media Ecology
Morrison, Chapter 7 (
CTC
)
Gencarelli, Chapter 8 (
CTC
)
Oct
31
Ethics, Human Relations, and Media Ecology
Postman, Chapter 2 (
CTC
)
Strate and Lum, Chapter 3 (
CTC
)
Nov 2
Ethics, Human Relations, and Media Ecology
Strate and Lum, Chapter 3 (
CTC
)
Nov 7
Media and Propaganda
Kluver, Chapter 4 (
CTC
)
Nov 9
Media and Theology
Christians, Chapter 5 (
CTC
)
Nov
14
Technology, Culture, and Society
Wasser, Chapter 9 (
CTC
)
N
ystrom, Chapter 10 (
CTC
)
Nov
16
Technology, Culture, and Society
Ashcroft, Chapter 13 (
CTC
)
Nov
21
Political Economy, Communication, and Technology
Heyer, Chapter 6 (
CTC
)
CTC = Perspectives on Culture, Technology and Communication
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