Speech Communication 497B: Computer-Mediated Communication

Instructor: Steve Thorne (sthorne@psu.edu) , Office: 304A Sparks Bldg, University Park, PA

Department of Speech Communication; Program in Linguistics and Applied Language Studies; The Pennsylvania State University

Spring Term, 2001, Tuesday-Thursday, 11:15 -- 12:30.

Class meetings: Willard 371, Lab Location: Williard 69

Course Links for Speech Communication 497B, Spring 2001

Syllabus | CMC Journals, Resources, and Tools | CMC Topics, Issues, and News

Description: SpCom 497B is a survey course focusing on computer-mediated communication (CMC). This course explores the relationships between CMC and various forms and domains of human activity. In this course we will interrogate established and emerging CMC-based social, cultural, commercial, and educational activities. We will read studies examining the relationship of CMC to changing forms and uses of language, CMC as a mediational means supporting evolving social and cultural communities, and CMC as it is altering the substance and processes of education, work, organizations, and commerce. This course has been developed for students with backgrounds in communication, information science and technology, cultural studies, psychology, education, and linguistics. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in carrying out independent research projects based on their area of specialization are specifically encouraged to participate.

Purpose: We will focus on computer-mediated communication (CMC) from a variety of theoretical perspectives, including, but not limited to, communication theory, linguistics, cultural studies, poststructuralism, and educational theories of development as they relate to and are used in CMC research.

Course Objectives:

Class meetings will include:

Your obligations and responsibilities:

  1. To participate in on-line and class discussions (invaluable, but marked at 10%): These will include a class listserv (email or web-based threaded discussion) and periodic uses of synchronous CMC (a chat client or MOO).
  2. To produce a reaction journal to the readings (10%): Write a short summary or outline of 10 articles over the length of the course (roughly one per week) and include 3 (or more) critical questions or issues that you could raise in class discussion and/or on the listserv).
  3. To act as a discussion catalyst (10%): In teams of 3-4, groups will take responsibility for initiating in-class discussion by presenting a brief overview of the day's readings, critical questions, and through acting as peer-experts (supported in this latter capacity by the rest of the class and the instructor).
  4. Internet Use Project (10%): Participants will produce a 3 day log of internet use: What modality do you use (web, chat, email, other)? How often? Indicate what purpose the note/message was for: intimate-personal, social, work related, school related, etc. Note the intended audience and the goal of the communication. More details on this project forthcoming.
  5. Describe/assess a digital activity or community (20%): NOTE: this project can be coupled with your Internet Use Project (#4, above), or act as the precursor to your Final Project (#6, below). Join (or begin watching a group youÕre already affiliated with) a thematic listserv, MOO, chat room, USENET group, or other digital venue, and assess whatÕs going on there. Choose something you're interested in. Possible questions include: What is the purported topic or theme? Is the purported topic what is actually being discussed? Who posts a lot? What do they say? How are you responded too? Include examples. Total length ~5-7 pages. Try to assess a few of the reasons that this activity/community stays together and functions. In essence, youÕre asking: what's going on and why?
  6. Final project and presentation (40%): Examples are term paper, original research paper, review of the literature paper, other written genres (proposal for research, undergrad or grad thesis, PhD proposal or chapter, etc), introspective analysis of your own internet use (per #4, Internet Use Project). The goal of the Final Project should be relevant to your interest and academic/professional development. For all large projects, an outline, key questions, and literature review/bibliography will be due on March 13th (2001). Oral presentations of Final Projects will occur the final 3 to 4 class sessions.

Evaluation and Grading: You will be responsible for putting together a portfolio of work that, minimally, must include the above items. Please include a cover letter that explains what is in your portfolio (specifically if you combined projects or lumped things together). NOTE: There will be no tests or final exams.

Ethical Code: The internet (and world, for that matter) is full of information that you will want to utilize in your written work. Please do so as freely as you like, but do use proper citation protocols (otherwise, one falls into plagiarism, which will result in a failing grade). Collaborative work in encouraged! If you would like to co-develop a large project with a classmate, feel free to do so.

Texts and Study Materials: We will utilize both traditional reading packet (to be available at Mail Boxes etc., Hamilton Shopping Center off South Atherton, and readings that are available on the web (linked directly off the on-line syllabus).

Computer resources you will need: The ability to access readings via the Internet (web), and potentially somewhere to print them out.

Course Links for Speech Communication 497B, Spring 2001

Syllabus | CMC Journals, Resources, and Tools | CMC Topics, Issues, and News

Comments or Questions? Contact Steve Thorne, The Pennsylvania State University