Introduction to New Media Theory:MM 250

Course Goals

The purposes include:
(1) Explaining and developing conceptual ideas derived from research and writing concerning mass media and new digital technologies;
(2) Explaining and developing conceptual foundations derived from the cultural and commercial dimensions of new media history and technologies;
(3) Developing critical insights about taken-for-granted new media phenomena;
(4) Developing informed speculations concerning the future of new media.

Requirements and Expectations

Class attendance is expected. Students should read and study the textbooks and concept readings according to the schedule. There will be exams over the books and the concepts, reading summaries, and study questions over the concept readings. Summarize (in a few paragraphs) readings marked with *asterisk. Reading summaries and answers to study questions are due as listed, but only "count" for students who are in class on the due day. Additional, relevant, outside reading is encouraged: some questions require research in addition to the readings. If the summary is delivered in the body of an email, make the subject line <yourlastname_conceptXsum.txt>. If the summary is delivered via an attachment to an email, name the file <yourlastname_conceptXsum.doc>. ONE CONCEPT PER ATTACHED FILE PLEASE (separate email per concept if answer is in the text of plain email; multiple concept attachments to one mail ok, but only one concept per data file). Always list the name of the article you are summarizing and/or repeat the question you are answering. Improperly labeled files will be returned without credit. I will share especially interesting answers with the class (after removing the author's name). When asked for examples, DO NOT USE MINE.

Texts : Henry Jenkins, Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYUP, 2006; Andrew Keen, The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet is Killing Our Culture. Doubleday, 2007.

Grading
Exam 1: (Convergence Culture)---------------200
Exam 2: (Cult of the Amateur)-----------------200
Final Exam: (Course concepts)----------------200
Reading summaries-------------------------------200
Concept study question answers---------------200
Total--------------------------------------------------1000 (final total could be more or less than 1,000)
A: 88.5%-100% B:88.4-78.5 C: 78.4-68.5 D: 68.4-58.5 F:<58.5

Extra Credit Project: 10 page (1/2 inch margins, double spaced, 12 point font) paper examining/discussing one of the following 6 topics in light of the arguments made in Keen and Jenkins, especially about the efficacy of collective intelligence and participatory digital culture: (1) Efforts toward the Universal Library; (2)Alternatives to Wikipedia; (3) Game information development and exchange; (4) Second Life as user-created content; (5) Citizen journalism (as exemplified at "legitimate" news outlet sites; (6) Citizen journalism (as exemplified at "alternative" news outlet sites. The paper should (a) Explain/describe the aspect (1-6) above that you've selected to orient the reader (b) present the material from Jenkins and Keen (c) apply the Jenkins/Keen material, critically, to the phenomena. All papers should feature sections and section headings (including but not limited to Introduction, topic selected, theory development/explanation, application and discussion, summary and conclusion. All/any sources should be carefully documented using MLA style. Rough draft in full sentence outline due 4/24 (35 points possible); completed paper (65 points possible) due by 5pm 5/8. Only students with on-time completed rough draft may do the paper. This project may be done as creative production rather than research paper. The topics and their treatments are the same; likewise, the deadlines and point values. If digital creative production is used, a full project synopsis with storyboards and production schedule (including resources/asset list and calendar) is due for the rough draft. Final can be web or hard media implementation. Project scope must be comparable to 10 page research paper, as agreed in the review of the rough draft.

Special Considerations

The final exam is only given on Monday May 12, 2:30-4:30 pm. No early or make-up exams will be arranged for any of the 3 exams. Students with emergencies must contact Dr. Lamoureux (in person or by phone) before the end of the test period; accommodations will be made for (only) dire emergencies.

Concept reading summaries are due at noon on the day we introduce them; answers to study questions are due by midnight of the day we discuss them. No late materials will be accepted.

We have a class e-mail alias <mm25001-sp@bumail.bradley.edu>. Please check it daily (if you forward your mail out of it, be sure to empty the BU box regularly). I deduct 25 points (I'll notify you) from your score total each time--after the first (I'll warn you of this one)-- that I get bounced mail because your box is full. There is a BlackBoard site for grades.

Please do not use tobacco products in class. I am distracted by their use and will insist that you leave if you persist. Laptops may be used in class only to take or display notes. No email, web browsing, or chat. Students who abuse this principle will be asked to leave.

All students are responsible to the same syllabus schedule, regardless of outside or BU-sponsored activities. I only accept materials early by agreement.

Students with BU-certified learning disabilities should contact me immediately.

Please do not call my home (672-5878) after 8pm at night. I am often in my office (GCC 315; 677-2378). "Official" office hours are Tues: 10:30-11:30; Thurs: 1:30-2:30 and by appointment. My e-mail address is <ell@bradley.edu>; AIM & skype: dredleelam; Second Life: Professor Beliveau.

Policy regarding e-mail communication about grades:
As a matter of the Multimedia Program policy to protect student privacy and in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, questions and concerns regarding grades must be presented in person or in a written letter. Instructors will not respond to questions and concerns communicated through e-mail or telephone calls regarding grades.

Policy regarding student absence due to an illness:
When missing classes and related assignments due to an illness, it is the student's responsibility to provide a document issued by a medical authority to verify the student's absence due to illness, unless the Office of the Associate Provost for Student Affairs informs an instructor of the basis for the student's absence. Instructors will not call the Health Center or any other source to verify the student's reason for absence.

Flexible Schedule: May be revised, with notice.

1/24 class 1
In Class: Introduction & Concept 1 intro
Due by noon today:
Due by 3pm, 1/28: Concept 1 reading summaries; Read Keen Intro and Chapter 1, by noon, 1/31

1/29 class 2
Due by noon today:
In Class: Concept 1 discussion
Due by midnight: concept 1 Q & answers
For future class: Read Jenkins Intro by noon 1/31

1/31 class 3
In Class: Keen and Jenkins Intros and Keen chapter 1
For future class: Concept 2, 3, 4 summaries by noon 2/5

2/5 class 4
In Class: Concept 2, 3, 4 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 2, 3, 4 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 2, 3, 4 answers
For future class: Concept 5, 6, 7, 8 summaries due by noon 2/7

2/7 class 5
In Class: Concept 5, 6, 7, 8 discusson
Due by noon today: Concept 5, 6, 7, 8 summaries
Due by midnight:5, 6, 7, 8 answers
For future class: Concept 9, 10, 11, 12 summaries due by noon 2/12

2/12 class 6
In Class: Concept 9, 10, 11, 12 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 9, 10, 11, 12 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 9, 10, 11, 12 answers
For future class: Jenkins Chapter 6 for 2/14

2/14 class 7
In Class: Jenkins Chapter 6
For future class: Keen Chapters 2 & 3 for 2/19

2/19 class 8
In Class: Keen Chapters 2 & 3
For future class: Concept 13, 14, 15, 16 summaries due by noon 2/21

2/21 class 9
In Class: Concept 13, 14, 15, 16 intro
Due by noon today: Concept 13, 14, 15, 16 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 13, 14, 15, 16 answers
For future class:Concept 17, 18, 19, 20 summaries due by noon 2/26

2/26 class 10
In Class: Concept 17, 18, 19, 20 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 17, 18, 19, 20 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 17, 18, 19, 20 answers
For future class: Jenkins Chapter 1

2/28 class 11
In Class: Jenkins Chapter 1
For future class:Keen Chapter 4

3/4 class 12
In Class: Keen Chapter 4
For future class: Jenkins Chapter 2

3/6 class 13
In Class: Jenkins chapter 2 discussion
For future class: Concept 21, 22 summaries by noon 3/11

3/11 class 14
In Class: Concept 21 & 22 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 21, 22 summaries
Due by midnight: concept 21 & 22 Q & answers
For future class: Keen Chapter 5

3/13 class 15
In Class: Keen Chapter 5
For future class: Jenkins, chapters 3 & 4 by 3/25

3/15-3/23 Spring Break

3/25 class 16
In Class: Jenkins chapters 3 & 4
For future class:Concept 23 summaries by noon 3/37

3/26 Mid Term

3/27 class 17
In Class: Concept 23
Due by noon today: Concept 23 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 23 Q&A
For future class: Keen Chapter 6

4/1 class 18
In Class: Keen Chapter 6
For future class: Jenkins, Chapter 5 & Conclusion

4/3 class 19
In Class: Jenkins, Chapter 5 & Conclusion
For future class: Keen chapter 7

4/8 class 20
In Class: Keen Chapter 7
For future class: Keen Chapter 8

4/10 class 21
Keen Chapter 8
For future class: Jenkins and Keen Exams, 4/15

4/15 class 22
In Class: Jenkins and Keen Exams
For future class: Concept 24, 25, 26 summaries by noon 4/17

4/17 class 23
In Class: Concept 24, 25, 26 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 24, 25, 26 summaries
Due by midnight:Concept 24, 25, 26 answers
For future class: Concept 27, 28, 29, 30 summaries by 4/22

4/22 class 24
In Class: Concept 27, 28, 29,
Due by noon today: Concept 27, 28, 29, 30 summaries
Due by midnight: Concept 27, 28, 29 answers
For future class:Concept 31, 32, 33 summaries by noon
4/29last day to drop classes 4/23
4/24 class 25 NO CLASS
For future class: Concept 31, 32, 33 summaries by noon 4/29

4/29 class 26
In Class: Concept 30, 31, 32, 33 discussion
Due by noon today:Concept 31, 32, 33 summaries
Due by midnight:Concept 30, 31, 32, 33 answers
For future class:Concept 34, 35, 36, 37 summaries by noon, 5/1

5/1 class 27
In Class: Concept 34, 35, 36, 37 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 34, 35, 36, 37 summaries
Due by midnight:Concept 34, 35, 36, 37 answers
For future class:Concept 38, 39, 40, 41 summaries by noon, 5/6

5/6 class 28
In Class: Concept 38, 39, 40, 41 discussion
Due by noon today: Concept 38, 39, 40, 41 summaries
Due by midnight:Concept 38, 39, 40, 41 answers

FINAL: Monday May 12, 2:30-4:30

Conceptual developments in the digital environment

1. Medium Effects
2.Technological Myopia
3. Myopic technological rationalism
4. Technological Efficiency Paradox

Technological developments for digital environnments

5. About Bits
6. Bit radiation and time
7. The Negroponte Carrier Switch
8. Moore's Law from both sides
9. Design Imperatives
10.Why designs go wrong
11. Why computer-related designs go wrong
12. Improving system/design elements

Implementing technological
developments

13. 30 year rule
14. Ev Rogers' Diffusion Theory
15. Technological Complexity Paradox
16. Curve of Complexity
17. Medium survival principles
18. The Communication Business Paradox
19. About cross-ownership
20. Traditional Broadcasting v New Media
Narrowcasting
21. The Advantages Gap
22. The Principle of Relative Constancy
23. Bit protection

Social developments from digital
environments

24.The Death of Distance
25.Global Village v Global Marketplace
26. Urban Villagers v Urbane Villagers
27. Control
28. Liquescence
29. New Media might Challenge or Resist existing Power Elite
30. Pulling instead of pushing

Ontological implications

31. New Media, Ancient Humans, Old Brains
32. The Cartesian Split
33. Tools/Technologies/artifacts transform reality
34. The Media Equation
34a. Media Equation Findings I (Interpersonal/Small Group)

• Polite is better.
• Nearness increases participation.
• Praise is better than blame (flattery).
  Praise from others is good; from respected others is even better.
• Personality is better than fact.
• Liking is the primary emotional response (or NOT liking).
• Teams are good (identification and interdependence); even when people are teamed with machines.
• Gender counts, is role differentiated, with male preference.
• Negative media is disliked but remembered.
• Media arouse
  • arousal can accumulate
  • arousal is not antithetical to thought.
  • size arouses

34b. Media Equation Findings II (General Com)

• Specialists are thought to be better (even when a machine).
• Multiple voices differentiate so may be problematic (and/or may be used strategically) in computers.
• "Kill the Messenger" holds for sources orientation (programmers are transparent and missing).
• Perception is crucial (that which seems true is taken as true).

34c. Media Equation Findings III (Mass Com)

• Motion gets attention and prepares user for action.
• Scene changes demand attention (cuts)
• visually dynamic messages get favorable attention.
• Subliminal imagery is everyday and can prime later actions.
• Picture fidelity does not matter much; sound fidelity does.
• Synchrony (correct audio/video timing) is CRUCIAL.

35. Fear of Fragmentation
36. Fragmentation of the Self
37. Answer to fragmentation--Kaleidoscopic Vision

Epistemological implications

38. Epistemological Changes
39. Textual/Digital Oscillation
40. Introduction to Chaos & Quantum Theory
41.Epistemological Chaos & New Media