General course information

Required Texts

• Bauerlein, Mark. The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young American and Jeopardizes Our Future. New York: Penguin, 2009. (9781585427123)
• Blascovich, Jim, and Jeremy Bailenson. Infinite Reality: Avatars, Eternal Life, New Worlds, and the Dawn of the Virtual Revolution. New York: HarperCollins, 2011. (9780061809507)
• Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. New York: Norton, 2011. (9780393339758)
• Lanier, Jaron. You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto. New York: Vintage Books, 2011. (9780307389978)
• McGonigal, Jane. Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World. New York, Penguin, 2011. (9781594202858)
• Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. New York: Basic Books, 2011. (9780465010219)

Course Objectives

• continue to develop ability to write clear, error-free, university-level prose
• continue to develop ability to write short argumentative essays
• continue to develop ability to engage in critical discussions in class
• demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the course texts
• demonstrate an understanding of some recent concerns with regards to the impact of digital technologies on our society
• continue to develop ability to analyse rhetorical strategies found in non-fictional prose writing

Preparation and Participation

You are expected to participate in class in an informed manner. At the very least, you are expected to come to class regularly, having read all assigned reading. You are expected to participate in class discussions. Keep in mind that participating in class is usually a highly rewarding experience, greatly enhancing your ability to understand the course material and helping ensure your success in the course. Everyone is expected to be courteous and professional at all times in class.

Lateness

• The term essay is due in class on December 1st. You may hand in the essay up to and including December 12th without penalty. After that, there will be a penalty of 5%/day (including weekend days) and papers will be graded with minimal feedback.
• The term assignment will have three options. One option is a presentation on a scheduled day: no lateness or extensions apply to this option. The second option is a web site and/or digital video, due on November 8th. The third option is a short essay, due on October 18th. After an automatic two-week extension period for the last two options, late papers will be penalized at the rate of 2%/day (including weekend days) to a maximum of 20%, and papers will be graded with minimal feedback.
• No assignment will be accepted after the start of the final exam.
• If you are registered with Student Services for special consideration with regards to due dates, please hand in the appropriate form to the instructor and, if needed, remind the instructor about the consideration when handing in the assignments.