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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "COM 311-2"
COURSE NAME: "Digital Media Culture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Antonio Lopez
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This introductory course explores the ethical, aesthetic, political, social and economic dimensions of new digital media culture. We trace the history of digital media in the context of traditional media to understand their impact on society. We also seek to determine the emergent properties of new digital media as they impact culture and society so that we can critically evaluate the various claims made about both the negative and positive impact of new digital media.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This is an interactive course that combines lectures, in-class viewing of different types of new media, and exercises on the Internet. Students will be expected to test ideas from the class by using new media tools, such as blogs and social networks. Readings will be a combination of traditional texts and new media texts available online.

 

To access all readings and class schedule, visit the class Website (URL will be posted at the beginning of class).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will have working understandings of emerging media practices and their impact on traditional models of mass media. Students will have working knowledge of the meaning of Web 2.0 (social media), the network economy, online media activism, digital piracy, creative commons vs. copyright, remediation, regulation, ethics, changing concepts of time and space, and convergence culture.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Understanding Digital Literacies A Practical IntroductionRodney H. Jones, Christoph A. HafnerRoutledge978-0-415-67315-0     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The New Media Theory Reader Robert Hassan, Julian Thomas Open University Press 0335217109  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam 25%
Final paper/projectA multimedia project/paper that examines a topic (by approval only)25%
Participation assignmentsThree short papers, each worth 5% of the final grade.15%
Final Exam 25%
Attendance/Participation 10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the co
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Classes often cover material not in the required readings. More importantly, the class is built around discussion. Students who miss class do poorly on exams and it impacts their final grade, so not only is your attendance grade impacted by absences, but your test grades will be too. Students are allowed up to three unexcused absences. Three or more unexcused absences will result in zero for your attendance/participation grade. 
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

UDL = Understanding Digital Literacies

NMTR = New Media Theory Reader (on reserve)

Week 1: Intro

Carr, “Is Google Making us Stupid?”

UDL: Chs. 1-3

Week 2 & 3: Digital Tools

Participation assignment #1 due Jan 28: Gadget diary assignment

UDL: Chs. 4-7

Week 4: Time and Space

Naye, “Consumer Sublime” (NMTR: 1.4)

Carey (NMTR: 5.1)

Digital Ground, Ch. 1 (digital-ground.pdf)

Week 5: Embodiedness

Participation assignment # 2 due Feb. 11: Time/space/place reflection

Digital Ground ch. 2 (refer to digital-ground.pdf above)

Barry, “On Interactivity” (NMTR: 4.1)

Week 6: Ecology of Digital Media

Green IT (Green-IT-ch-1.pdf; Green-IT-ch-4.pdf)

Miller, Talking Rubbish (Climate-Change-and-Media-ch2.pdf)

Greenpeace (look at whole Website)

Week 7: Midterm

Week 8: Digital Practices

UDL: Chs. 8-10

Week 9: Digital Practices

UDL: Chs. 11-12

Week 10: Open and Closed Systems

Zitrain (Intro and conclusion from downloadable book)

Lessig, Remix (ch. 1 and 2 from downloadable book)

Week 11: Convergence Culture

Convergence Culture, Henry Jenkins: Jenkins-Introduction.pdf; Jenkins-Chp4.pdf; Jenkins-Chp6.pdf

Week 12: Remix

Participation assignment # 3 due April 8: Convergence Culture

Remix, chs. 1-5 (download book from links tab)

Kelly, 1,000 true fans: Kelly-BeyondFree.pdf

Week 13: Mash-up, intellectual property (copyright)

Remix Chs. 6-7

Week 14: Democracy

John Naughton, “Blogging and the Emerging Media Ecosystem”

Barber, “Pangloss, Pandora or Jefferson?” (NMTR: 4.2)

Final Paper due