Introduction to Information Technology: The New Media
Instructor:
Roman Onufrijchuk
TAs
Catherine Hart
Clayton Wilson
I. Course Description
Over the past two generations computational technologies have played increasing roles in our lives. At first, almost invisible, with the coming of the PC and then Internet, these technologies have affected and begun to noticeably shape how we learn and teach, how we do business, how we organize and maintain or change communities and institutions, on our political processes, notions of self and its limits, expectations of technology, perceptions of realty, and how we can and do relate to one another.
What began as essentially a sophisticated calculator, born and often taken into its next steps of development in response to war, has emerged as the preeminent convivial medium of the 21st century. In addition to many positive contents and contributions to our quality of life, the new media have also brought concerns about security and privacy, proliferation of pornography, time urgency, and discontents sufficient to make us pause. The frenzied days of the early Internet, the dot-boom and then dot-bust, have dampened some of the early economic enthusiasm, but the Net continues to grow and embrace increasing numbers of us into its new “global village” of information, games and entertainment, instant connections, and access to sometimes deep and wide archival sources.
Embracing a historical media ecology perspective, this course surveys the forces, figures, resources, and dynamics and constraints affecting the evolution, social impact and foreseeable implications of digital networked media.
II. Course Requirements
1. Survey assignment: 15% (W)
2. Tutorial, 20%: Attendance, presentation and participation, 10%; presentation documentation 10% (W)
3. Thematic Review: 15% (W)
4. In class midterm exam: 25%
5. Take-home final assignment: 25%
III. Required Literature
Banister, Jim. Word of Mouse: The New Age of Networked Media. Chicago: Agate, 2004.
Rowland, Wade. Spirit of the Web: The Age of Information from Telegraph to Internet. Toronto: Thomas Allen Publishers, 2006.
V. Course Notes and Guidelines
1. SURVEY ASSIGNMENT (10%)
The assignment is in 2 parts:
Part ONE: 1-2 pages (500 words +/-, double-spaced; concision is an asset).
Which of the following – telegraph, telephone, radio – could be characterized as a “convivial” technology? Why?
Part TWO: Biographic sketch: 150-word biography (3rd person) This is a statement about you serving as an introduction or a “publishable thumbnail” or bio. It should contain something about your past, about what you think you’d like to get out of this course and/or why you’ve enrolled in it, and something about your plans for your future.
NOTE: Parts 1 and 2, in the form of an integrated document, in hard copy, are to be handed in to your TA.
NB: The biographical statement, Part 2 only, is to be sent to me by e-mail, not as an attachment, but in the message field. The “SUBJECT” field of the e-mail should contain “CMNS 253.”
Proper academic form is expected in the first assignment, and all those thereafter. The following elements are factored into grading:
a. Clarity and transparency of the organization of discourse,
b. Succinctness and intelligence of writing,
c. Correct use of citations and bibliographies,
d. Executive summary/abstract
e. Robust introduction and conclusion supported by the data reported
f. Clear point of departure, and flow of argument and report
g. Fulsome description of video, discussion of article and/or reporting on background reading and/or research used in preparation for your discussion
h. Overall presentation, elegance, use of infographics and tables where appropriate, etc.
i. And, in addition to course-informed vocabulary and copia (depth/breadth; “erudition,” “proof of purchase”), “something extra.”
2. Tutorials: Presentations & Documentation (20%)
Beginning in Week 3, we will have two presentations per seminar drawn on their corresponding weeks from the Ades/Brown and Meyrowitz texts listed in the schedule above.
Presentations should provide a concise summary of the author/s’ or video/s key point/s & supporting arguments, connect the article or video to the course lectures, literature, media or discussion, as well as furnish the class with some contextual background. All presentations must be documented.
NOTE: Students are required to provide everyone in the tutorial with a hard copy of this documentation on the day of their presentation. Documentation is made up of a 1-2 page handout including:
a. Author’s key point or thesis in the article
b. The presentation outline followed by
c. Key quotes from the article, and
d. Questions or points of relationship to other course material for seminar discussion.
e. Proper bibliographical information on the source you’ve either presented on or introduced.
3. Exams and assignments (80%: 2X 25% + 2X 15%)
i. Study questions will be provided in Week 6. The Midterm, in class, closed book, covers all course material up to and including Week 6.
ii. Final assignment topics (covering literature weeks 8-13), along with guidelines, typically posted Week 11.
iii. Survey assignment: see above
iv. Critical Review: This requires a 1250-1500 word critical assessment of a website, video or article. URLs will be provided in Week 7.
4. Class communication
All our mailing lists make use for your “@sfu.ca” e-mail addresses. We make extensive use of e-mail to send out assignments and study questions as well as links to web sites required to complete the course, so please either use your SFU e-mail or check your SFU account regularly.
I read and answer e-mails – except dumb ones. Definition of a dumb e-mail – any e-mail asking for an explanation that is available on the course web site or documentation students could have checked on their own. Normally most issues should be taken up with your TA first, but I am glad to answer all questions. I normally turn over e-mails within about 24 hours.
N.B. If you do send me an e-mail please be sure to “sign” it, i.e. put your name on it as e-mail handles rarely tell me who you are. Also, please include you TA’s name, as sometimes things need to be sorted with the TA as well.
CMNS 253 spring 2010 SYLLABUS