• Participation and Engagement:

Let’s face it, some of us have been raised to talk a lot in class and others to listen thoughtfully.  For that reason, participation in this class is about more than just how much to talk — though I’d still like to encourage all of you to join in on conversations actively. 

• • Preparation: Completing readings or homework in preparation for class.
  • Focus: Being present with us during class — not attending to other work.
  • Joining in: Asking and answering questions in text or written form.
  • Community Building: Responding to your peer’s writing and comments thoughtfully.
  • Going with the Flow: Joining in with a flexible and creative spirit, helping us navigate the choppy waters of pandemic higher education.

Note: Unforeseen challenges may arise this semester.  When they do, please contact me, so I can help you to continue in this course.

• Office Hours

Come to them to discuss readings, ideas, your writing, etc. In addition to my formal office hours, I am sometimes available other times if you email me to make an appointment. I will be available via Zoom and when possible in person.

• Laptops/Cell Phones

Because this is a course in digital literature, laptops will be needed for every class.  If you do not have one, you can check one out from Ahmanson Information Commons at Leavey Library.  In fact, you will need them often and for every quiz.  However, I expect that you will use these for class content only.  Please keep phones silent during class. 

• Plagiarism and Academic Integrity

USC highly values academic integrity and plagiarism undermines this integrity. A plagiarized assignment will receive an “F” and may result in failure of the course. We will discuss in class what constitutes plagiarism, but just remember: if you’re not sure, cite it or ask me. Plagiarism includes turning in work produced by a computer program unless instructed to do so. 

• Mandated Reporting

As per university policy, I am a mandated reporter, which means if I suspect that a student who is under 18 is experiencing abuse or neglect, including sexual abuse, I am mandated by law to report it to USC’s Department of Public Safety and the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services. I am also a responsible employee under Title IX, which means I must immediately report all known information about suspected prohibited conduct to the Title IX Office. Prohibited conduct encompasses harassment and discrimination, and is defined in more detail here: https://policy.usc.edu/student-misconduct/.

Additional Support

• The Writing Center 

The Writing Center (located in THH 216) offers writing workshops and half-hour, one-on-one appointments with trained consultants. The staff is there to help you at any stage of the writing process, including the beginning – you don’t need a full draft to utilize their support. You can make appointments via their website: http://dornsife.usc.edu/writingcenter/

• Students with Disabilities: 

Any student requesting accommodations based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification can be obtained from DSP; please make sure that this letter is delivered to me as soon as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and can be contacted at (213) 740-0776.

• Major Assignments:
  • Individual Analysis of Electronic Literature 
  • Collaborative Analysis: In a group of 3, analyze another work form the ELC using 3 different approaches
  • Final project: Create a small work of electronic poetry, fiction, or netprov and write an artists’ statement which position this work among works and concepts we have studied throughout the semester. 
  • Final Exam: A take home exam that asks students to synthesize the major ideas from the course across multiple works we have examined together.

• Creative Exercises

Every week, students will create a small work in a different form of electronic literature, including digital poetry, interactive fiction, netprov, and locative narrative.  These exercises will be relatively small but will give you a chance to explore the many forms available as you make your way toward your final creative project. 

• Quizzes & Reading Responses

Quizzes and Reading Responses will be used to increase engagements with texts.  For more straight-forward readings, I will give a quiz to incentivize your close reading of the text.  For more creative works, I will assign a Reading Response (250-450 words) in which you respond to some specific aspect of the work. (More details on reading responses in class.) 

• Paper 1: Individual Analysis of Electronic Literature

Analysis of a work from the Electronic Literature Collections, Volumes 1-3.

In a short essay, analyze a work of electronic literature.  Primarily answer the question: how does this work develop a literature tradition from the world of performance, print, or orality?

• Paper 2: Collaborative Analysis:

To approach complex works of electronic literature, critics must work together.  Following the model of Reading Project, students will join in groups to read one work from ELC, vol. 1-3 using 3 distinct approaches.  In their writing, students will explain the way their approach impacted their interpretation as well as how their approach complemented the other approaches.  

• Discussion Leading

This is a seminar-style class, which means that students are active participants in the discussion.  To encourage that, students will lead discussion of one of the readings during the semester. Rather than lecturing, students will also be in charge of leading discussion. 

• Final Creative Project

Creative Project and artists statement.

To understand digital writing more deeply, students will create a short work of electronic literature and reflect on what that creative work taught them about these emerging forms of writing

• Final Exam

This essay examination will ask you to synthesize the critical readings we have been exploring by applying them to works of digital literature that we have been examining throughout the semester.