writing 105nm

Course Overview
The term “new media” designates a new and evolving field of computer-based reading, writing, and publishing. Practices and theories of new media are still emerging and are very much under debate. Readings for the course propose different ways of understanding new media; assignments ask you to analyze and create new media compositions in order to develop your understanding of this field.

During the quarter, you’ll be using Photoshop, Flash, and several Web-based tools to create your new media projects. You don’t need to come into the course with expertise (or even familiarity) with any of the programs we’ll be using. However, you do need to be willing to learn these programs well enough so that you can actually create the kind of work that you envision. Mastering programs may mean spending extra time in the computer labs, working through online or print tutorials, attending the tutorials offered by the IC, or getting help from me during office hours. Keep in mind, too, that programs and entire computers sometimes crash; save your work frequently and in several places. Computer problems are not valid excuses for late or incomplete work.

The syllabus, schedule, assignments, readings, and resources for the course can be found on the Web at http://sorapure.net/105nm.

Required Text
Writing 105NM Reader (available at Grafikart)

Grades
Your grade for the course will come mostly from two major projects. For your final grade, the assignments are weighted (roughly) as follows:

Collage Project: 25%
Text Analysis: 25%
Information Visualization: 25%
Flash Presentation: 25%

Important Information
• Our class meets in the Gaviota Lab (Phelps 1529).
• Because much of the work of the course will be done during class time, your attendance and participation are very important. Your grade will be lowered if you miss more than two class sessions. Remember that even if you are absent you are responsible for any work that is done during class and for any assignments that are given or are due during class. Call a classmate, call me, send me an e-mail, or come by my office during my office hours to find out what you missed.
• If you are late to class, I’ll count that as half an absence.
• Late assignments will be accepted but their grade will be reduced for each late day. For example, a project that would have gotten an A if it was turned in on time (that means, at the beginning of the class on the day on which it is due) will get an A- later that day or one day late, a B+ two days late, a B three days late, and so on.
• Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you plagiarize on any of the assignments you will fail the class and will be subject to disciplinary action by the University.