Syllabus

Fall 2011
email: ebranscomb@mac.com phone: 978-542-6142 AIM: ebranscomb Skype: RickBransc campus office: MH 104 Office Hours: T 9:50 - 10:50 and 3:00 - 4:00; Th 9:50 - 10:50 and 1:00 - 3:00 An examination of how the new electronic media enabled by personal computers (e.g., graphical interfaces, desktop publishing, email, hypertext and hypermedia, MUDs and MOOs, the World Wide Web) differ from traditional print media in their approaches to discourse and meaning. Students will examine and analyze as many manifestations of electronic media as possible, read and interpret major research studies, and conduct individual research projects.
 * Instructor**: Rick Branscomb
 * Catalog Description:**
 * Course Goals**:
 * to provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of electronic discourse
 * to illustrate rhetorical concepts in the context of electronic discourse
 * to demonstrate how the conventions of electronic discourse differ from those of print discourse
 * to enable students to compose effective electronic discourse
 * Objectives**:
 * Students will be able to use a variety of resources for composing electronic discourse
 * Students will be familiar with the different modes of electronic discourse
 * Students will understand the role of community in the production of electronic discourse
 * Students will be able to critically analyze electronic discourse
 * Students will be able to compose a variety of documents using the principles of effective electronic communication
 * Course Requirements:**
 * 2 Papers (10%)
 * 7-10 minute Podcast (10%)
 * Slideshow (Keynote or PowerPoint) (20%)
 * YouTube Video (20%)
 * 2 blog postings per week (Sunday - Saturday) and 2 Discussion Board postings per week (Sunday - Saturday), on different days (20%)
 * 1 major website (10 nodes minimum) (10%)
 * 1 Final Exam in Blackboard, due noon, December 16 (10%)