Assignments
Blog Assignments (30%) - you will be required to answer questions on our class blog. This will give you the opportunity to synthesize the articles, express your own opinions, and to pose any questions about these topics. Blog posts are due by 4pm before class. I encourage students to take the time to read others' blogs and to comment on them, either with a response post or in class.
You will receive instructions as to how to join and post to the blog.
News Presentations (10%) – you will have an assigned day in which you will present an item of current events that deals with Internet or related technologies. These are informal presentations, briefly discuss the article and lead a short discussion, approx. 5 minutes at the beginning of each class period.
Lead Weekly Discussion (20%) - Once during the semester, each student will be required to lead the discussion on the weekly topic. This will include the regular blog post as well as summarizing the main points of the readings and posing questions for class discussion. The instructor will assist and supplement these discussions. Assignments of specific dates will be made on the first day of class.
Research Paper (30%) - A 10-15 page research paper is required. The topic chosen should be relevant to the student's interest area or other current projects. The paper should address an issue of social, cultural, or legal implications regarding new media. Papers can cover original research, topic explication, or be a thorough proposal for research yet to be performed. A comprehensive literature review of the topic is required, as well as a clear explanation of research question and methodology. We will discuss in class. Students may choose to work in teams of no more than two on the research project.
A short research prospectus (worth 5% of the 30% total for this project) stating the topic, research question, methodology, and a brief overview of literature areas will be due on Aug. 2. This prospectus should be 2-3 pages in length.
The research paper will be due on Wed., Aug. 12.
Research Presentation (10%) - Students will present the results of the research paper to the class. Presentations will be no longer than 10 minutes (conference style) each. - Presentations will take place on Aug. 9 & 10.