This is an "online" course and we are not going to meet face to face. In consequence, the kind of work I expect from you, the students, needs to be specified somewhat more than is generally done when we can rely on general expectations about lectures or small group discussions. As I explain in my general statement on distance learning pedagogy, I am trying to emulate the general educative goals of what an introductory course might be, but not necessarily each of the various activities that are usually associated with face to face graduate schooling.

I think of this more on the model of an independent reading couse than on the model of a lecture course. However, this is not a reading course either. Specifically, I expect all students

  1. to read the class notes for each of the sessions both as an introduction to the readings and as a commentary on the readings after the readings have been made (in other words I expect you to look at the notes twice--or more of course);
  2. to read the required texts. This is essential. None of these texts are to be used as "textbooks" summarizing common knowledge in the field. I always chose original and power texts that are significant statements to be criticized and incorporated in the development of one's own understanding. The notes and the questions at the end of each session are designed to help one do so
  3. to interact with me and other students through
    1. a joint chat session (asynchronous means of establishing communication among students might be considered for those unable to participate)
    2. postings of reaction papers
    3. a brief project exploring one technology as responsive, constraining and open for further elaboration (starting such an exploration is the major goal of this class as sketched in the outline)

The final grade will be determined first by the cogency of your reaction papers, secodn by the quality of your participation in the chats, and, to a lesser degree, by the originality of the project (I hope this to be an occasion for exploration of technical possibilities and struggle with technical difficulties).

Specifically

  1. There will be one chat session per week. The first one will be held on Wednesday, May 27th and will continue once a week, with the last chat on June 30th.

    I will be online from 6 to 8 and expect everyone to log in for at least an hour. You are expected to participate and not simply to "lurk." The chats will be substantive discussion of the readings of the previous week. We work with the questions included at the end of the class notes and move from them in a conversational process. (I will accommodate those who cannot participate in the chats.)
  2. You are required to post five reaction papers (500 to 1000 words) on the following schedule:
    1. - June 1st (on your understanding of "technology" and "culture" as introduced by Marx and in my work with Ray McDermott)
    2. - June 8th (on your readings of Goody and Wittfogel)
    3. - June 15th (on Ong and Conklin)
    4. - June 22nd (on Leo Marx and Wallace)
    5. - June 29th (on Gusterfson and Rapp)
  3. You are also required to develop a simple web site of 5 to 10 pages presenting your project. The first page should be posted by June 21st. The project will be considered "complete" for grading purposes on July 29th. [more information.]
  4. It is expected that the project will go through several drafts and that all students will comment on each other's project through postings on the discussion board. I will also post comments there:
    1. Draft #1 due July 1st with comments due by July 8th
    2. Draft #2 due July 14th with comments due by July 19
    3. Final draft due July 30th

I will also be glad to meet with you, either individually or in small groups, if you happen to be on campus between May 25th and June 29th, preferably on Tuesday between 4 and 6.

(Students with no experience of Web publishing should first check the technical instructions and then e-mail me if necessary).

(Students may also want to consult the official expectations as to the time Teachers College, in its interpretation of New York State regulations, expects students to give to their participation in any course, whether on site or on line.