Catalog Description
Relationship between technology and communication; writing practices from a historical point of view.Detailed Description
As the title indicates, this course is about three things--language, text, and technology. But it's not about those three things in isolation; they don't work in isolation. They work together (with humans and all kinds of other elements) to influence and create important aspects of our culture. To begin the course, we'll consider the three terms in the title and then investigate how they intertwine, interact, and influence cultures. Since looking at specific cultural objects often makes study more interesting (as compared to just thinking about techno-cultural changes abstractly), we'll be looking carefully at printing/books, maps, and money. Our consideration will take a historical view as we try to understand how language and texts have been influenced by technologies. Because we're taking a historical approach, we won't start with the influences of digital technology. In each unit, however, we will end up with digital technology and how new technologies will continue to intertwine, interact, and influence cultures.Goals
1. To understand the historical relationships among language, texts, and technology and how they impact cultures.
2. To demonstrate through class discussion and unit projects, a critical approach to language, texts, and technology.
3. To approach interactions between language, texts, and technology in an integrated, holistic manner.
4. To anticipate future interactions between language, texts, and technology.
Required Texts
The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects by Marshall McLuhan and Quentin Fiore Ginko Press 978-1584230700
The British Library Guide to Printing: History and Techniques by Michael Twyman
978-0802081797 University of Toronto PressThe History of Money Jack Weatherford Three Rivers Press (1998) 978-0609801727
The New Nature of Maps: Essays in the History of Cartography J. B. Harley (2002)
978-0801870903
Required Technology
Regular access to computer, Internet, and printer. Email address needed.Attendance and Assignments
To successfully complete this class, you must faithfully attend class and complete all assignments. Because we will be working collaboratively on many assignments, your regular attendance is vital.
> roll will be taken;
> more than 5 absences will result in a failing grade for the class;
> extensive tardiness will be considered in assessing absences;
> planned absences must be discussed and OK’d by the teacher prior to the absence;
> planned absences count in the total absences;
> acceptance of late work is unusual and must be discussed in conference with the teacher. Late work unaccompanied by a sufficient excuse (and conference) will receive a lowered grade if turned in within one week of the original due date. Work turned in later than one week past the original due date will be give an automatic grade of F:
> all assignments must be completed to pass the course.Schedule
There will be weekly additions and occasional corrections to the schedule. Reading questions and daily assignments will be added to the schedule often. You must check the online schedule often to keep up with course assignments and activities.Projects and Evaluation
Class Participation 15% Includes participation in discussions based on reading of assignments and cooperative collaboration during in-class and group projects Quizzes 10% Quizzes will be given during the semester and will be based on assigned readings. Brief Writing Assignments 15% Short, reseach-based writing assignments will be required throughout the semester. These will be both in-class and out-of-class assignments. Unit projects 60% Three projects each worth 20% (each includes an oral presentation of the project as part of the total). Personal Communication Devices
In order to ensure a productive learning environment, you are required to turn off or set your personal communication device to silent (not vibrate) contact during class time. Use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices is not allowed during classes unless such activity supports class activities. Anyone texting will be asked to leave class and will counted as absent for the day. Exceptions to this policy may be granted upon request.Laptops
Laptops may be used in class, but only for class related activities (e.g., taking notes, completing in-class or group writing assignments). If it becomes apparent you are using the computer for non-class activities (checking your email, playing games, Facebooking, etc.) then you will be asked to turn off your computer and refrain from bringing it into class in the future.Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC). All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC (Admin Annex Bldg, Room 205). Please stop by or call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with a disability specialist.Academic honesty
All students are expected to act in accordance with the WSU policies on Academic Honesty found in the Student Handbook. These policies include falsification of information, fabrication of information, plagiarism, multiple submission, and various others. Information about these policies can be found in the Handbook. These policies will be discussed in class and students will be asked to acknowledge that discussion and a basic understanding of the polcies. For additional information on the plagiarism, WSU has a good site. Because academic honesty is a serious issue, you are required to read the Office of Student Conduct's Academic Dishonesty Web site.WSU Safety Statement
Please familiarize yourself with information regarding campus emergencies/school closings by visiting these websites: University Emergency Management http://oem.wsu.edu/Emergencies and WSU Alert http://alert.wsu.edu.
Back to PFE Homepage