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Instructor:
Teresa M. Harrison
SS 340, 442-4883
harrison@albany.edu
Office Hours:
5:45-6:45 Tuesdays and Thursdays
Course Web
Site: www.albany.edu/faculty/harrison/acom378
Teaching Assistant:
Jaime K. LaMarche
SS 385
JKL72702@yahoo.com
Office Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday ????? pm
Course Location: Digital Workshop 2 of the Science Library
Course Description:
Possibly the most important technological innovation of the latter half of the 20th century, computer-mediated communication (CMC) is revolutionizing interaction in the global village. This course focuses on the various ways in which computers and computer networks can be used as a medium for human interaction and the new genres of communication that are created when this happens. We spend some time at the beginning of the course considering the nature of this relatively new medium; we also spend considerable time focusing on how computer-mediated communication is used in a number of particular contexts, namely interpersonal, group processes in organizational life, and political contexts.
The course is not devoted to hands-on CMC design or production, particular software packages, or computer hardware. However, we will spend time in hands-on activities that introduce class members to some of what's involved in using and critiquing the medium. For example, we'll develop rudimentary web pages, explore a number of other services and experiences that the Web has to offer, and gain some experience in using a couple of new modes of communication.
We will also spend a significant amount of time considering what kinds of new communication phenomena are created when people use this revolutionary medium and the various ways that researchers are attempting to generate theory to account for these behaviors.
Course Texts: All of the
course readings are on electronic reserve in library. Click here
to get a complete list of the course readings and the full citation for
each. To get access to these readings, go to
electronic reserves where you will find the course readings available
to be printed.
From there click on Electronic Reserves
Course Index. You will be able to locate our course by course title or by my
name. Click on Com465 to access our readings. You will be prompted for a password,
which I will provide in class.
Course Activities:
1. Class Attendance: Is mandatory.
Each three unexcused absences will result in a reduction of one full letter
grade in computing your final grade. Absences after the fact are excused by
a doctor's note, documented job interview, excuse from
the Dean of Students, documented medical or family emergency, university-sponsored
competition or performance, or other life circumstances that you could not reasonably
anticipate. The best way to make sure that your absence is excused is to consult
me in advance.
2. Participation exercises: Home page development, five minute reaction papers, class participation, and other occasional assignments: 10% of the course grade.
Five Minute Reaction Papers:
Each of you will be responsible for contributing 3 five-minute reaction papers
to the course electronic discussion. These papers are short commentaries requiring
5 minutes or less to produce (yes, you can put on a kitchen timer if you want).
They may consist of reflections on the readings, class discussion, course exercises,
questions, differences of opinion, responses to other contributions, or any
other comments on course material that may be of interest to you. There are
no due dates for these reaction papers, but they should be somewhat evenly spaced
out throughout the semester. That means that one should be sent during weeks
2-5 of the semester, the second during weeks 6-9, and the third between weeks
10-13. You will not receive credit for the papers if they are sent during the
last week of the semester. These papers will not receive a specific grade, although
if you'd like comments on yours, we will be happy to do so.
Class participation and other class discussion: From time to time, you'll
be asked to express opinions and reactions in class, or participate in group
discussions with your colleagues. This is an opportunity to express some of
your own ideas and get reactions from your colleagues. We hope that you'll participate
in these discussions with enthusiasm and respect for your fellow class mates.
3. Position papers and
Group Project: You are responsible for three position papers and a group
project which involves an individual paper reaction. The position papers are
each worth 10% of your grade, a total of 30%. The group project is worth 30%
of your grade, with 20% devoted to the group paper and presentation and 10%
devoted to your individual reflection on the exercise.
Position papers: These are
generally 3-5 page papers taking a position on some question or issue that is
posed for the assignment or using course material to analyze some experience
or interaction that you are asked to participate in.
Each assignment will be fully described in a handout distributed at the relevant
time in the semester.
Paper revision policy: Class
member may revise their individual papers in an attempt to improve the evaluation
of the paper and may continue to do so right up to the last class of the semester,
with the exception of the last paper in the semester, where revision will not
be possible. However, mere revision does not guarantee an improved grade. We
will try to convey as explicitly as possible what needs to be done in order
to improve a paper. Please call upon our teaching assistant, Jaime LaMarche,
for her expertise in helping you to understand how to improve your paper.
a. To see the instructions for paper
#1, click here. 4. Course quizzes: There
will be two, each worth 15% of your grade for a total of 30%. One will
take place roughly at the point
of midterm and the other at the end of the course.
Other Course Policies:
2. Please restrict yourself to authorized
media for communication during class sessions. That is, turn cell phones off,
no instant messaging, check your non-class email on your own time, and keep
the monitor off when we're not using it in a course exercise.
3. Certain types of documented
learning or physical conditions may entitle you to appropriate accomodations
in course assignments or exercises. Please let me know as soon as you an
what your needs are so that I can take them into considerations. If you
don't let me know, I will not provide accomodations after the assignment
is due.
4. The course schedule is
subject to change depending on how fast we move through discussion and
when practicum activities can be scheduled. Notice of changes will be given
in class, usually at the beginning of the class period. Remember to check
your assumptions about when papers or homework is due by consulting the
course web page.
What kind of medium is CMC? Psychological well being, gender, identity; Group Projects: Introduction Group and Interpersonal Dynamics No formal class meeting; group project meeting Group and Interpersonal Dynamics No formal class meeting; group project meeting Political Communication Lab time for project
1. Class starts on time and we'll
try to always end on time. Please plan to arrive punctually as I will frequently
give directions for course exercises as soon as class has officially started.
It will be difficult and sometimes impossible to backtrack for latecomers.
DATE
CLASS TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT
T, 9/3
Introduction to the Course, Modelling CMC
Th, 9/5
Modelling CMC
Rheingold
T, 9/10
What kind of medium is CMC?
McLuhan, Sproull & Kiesler
Th, 9/12
What kind of medium is CMC?
Doctor & Dutton, Winner
T, 9/17
Guest speaker, Lab: Building your own web page
Th, 9/19
Psychological well being, gender, identity
Donath, Lab: Building your own web page
T, 9/24
Psychological well being, gender, identity
Paper #1 due,
Lab exercise
Th, 9/26
Psychological well being, gender, identity
Stone, Herring
T, 10/1
Psychological well being, gender, identity
Kraut
1999, 2001
Th, 10/3
T, 10/8
Online
Disinhibition , Email
& Relationships
Th, 10/10
Paper #2 due (turn paper in to Jaime)
T, 10/15
Group and Interpersonal Dynamics
Constant, Sproull, Kiesler
Th, 10/17
Group and Interpersonal Dynamics
Brashers, Adkins, & Meyers
T, 10/22
Political Communication
Group Project Proposal due
Th, 10/24
Midterm Exam
T, 10/29
Political Communication
Hunt, Seo, Norman
Th, 10/31
Doctor & Dutton, 2000
T, 11/5
Political Communication
Mele, Gurak
Th, 11/7
Political Communication
Wilhelm
T, 11/ 12
Group Project Presentations
Th, 11/14
Group Project Presentations
Group Project report due; Reflections due
T, 11/19
Virtual Communities
Curtis, Baym
Th, 11/21
Virtual Communities
T, 11/26
Lab: Analyzing Virtual Communities
Wellman, et al.
Th, 11/28
Thanksgiving holiday
T, 12/3
Virtual Communities
Zickmund
Th, 12/5
Virtual Communities
T, 12/10
Virtual Communities; Exam review
Paper #3 due
Local Government
National Government
Political Parites
Special Interest
New
York State Assembly
U.S.
Senate
Democratic
National Committee
Ralph
Nader
New
York State Senate
U.S.
House of Representatives
Republican
National Committee
Elizabeth
Dole
Albany
County
U.S.
Supreme Court
Green
Party
Hillary
Clinton
The
White House
Bill
Bradley