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 two books and the concepts. Additional, relevant, outside reading is encouraged.

All students will establish and maintain an MM 250 course website (send me the URL), archived through the term. 5 times, each student must post a discussion of three course concepts covered since the last posting. The discussion must link current events (last 6 mo.) as examples supporting, refuting, or augmenting the class,books or notes presentation of the material. The discussion should present thorough explanation and reasoned argument concerning the concept.

Grading

Exam 1 (Cyberliteracy)--------------------------200
Exam 2 (Unfinished Revolution)----------------200
Final Exam(Course concepts)-------------------200
Websites (graded 5 times)-----------------------400
Total----------------------------------------------1000
A: 885-1000 B:884-785 C: 784-685 D: 684-585 F:<585

Special Considerations

Examinations and quizes are only given on the days listed on the syllabus. No early or make-up exams or quizes will be arranged. 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.

We have a class e-mail alias <mm25001-fa@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 also a BlackBoard site for announcements and 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.

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

Each student has log-on access to the GCC computer labs.

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 TT 10:30-11:30 and by appointment. My e-mail address is ell@bradley.edu.

11/6 class 20
Discuss Concepts 21 & 22 [read concept 23 for 11/11]
11/11 class 21
Discuss Concept 23 [Read concepts 24, 25, & 26 for 11/13]
11/13 class 22 WEBSITES 4 DUE
Discuss concepts 24-26. [Read concepts 27-30 for 11/18]
11/18 class 23
Discuss concepts 27-30. [Read concepts 31-33 for 11/20]
11/19 last day to drop classes
11/20 class 24
Discuss concepts 31-33. [Read concept 34 a, b & c for 11/25]
11/25 class 25
Discuss concept 34. [Read concepts 35, 36, 37 for 12/2]
11/27 Thanksgiving No Class
12/2 class 26
Discuss concepts 35-37. [Read concepts 38 & 39 for 12/4]
12/4 class 27 WEBSITES 5 DUE
Discuss concepts 38 &39. [Read concepts 40 & 41 for 12/9]
12/9 class 28:
Discuss concepts 40 & 41.

Monday Dec. 15, 12-2pm FINAL

Flexible Schedule

Don’t forget to arrange for an absentee ballot for Nov. 4.
8/28 class 1
Introduction; Media Effects; Concept 1
www.herring.com/insider/
2002/08/classroom082102.html
[Read 1a, 1b, 1c and Gurak Intro and Chapter 1 for 9/2].
9/2 class 2
Discussion Concept 1; Intro. to Critical Literacy; Concept 2. [Read 2a, 2b for 9/4]
9/4 class 3
Discussion Concept 2; [Visit Ready4Net site and read 3b and 4a and 4b for 9/9].
9/9 class 4
Discussion Concepts 3 & 4. Read Dertouzos Chapter 1 for 9/11
9/11 class 5
Discussion Dertouzos, Chapter 1. [Read Concepts 5 a & 5b and concept 6a & 6b]
9/16 class 6
WEBSITES (1) DUE Discussion, concepts 5 & 6. [Read concepts 7 a & b and 8 a, b, c, d for 9/18]
9/18 class 7
Discussion Concepts 7 & 8 [Read Dertouzos, Chapters 2 & 3 for 9/23]
9/23 class 8: WEBSITES 1 DUE
Discussion, Dertouzos Chapters 2 & 3. [Read concepts 9-10 for 9/26]
9/26 class 9
Discussion concepts 9-10 [Read concepts 11-12 for 9/30

9/30 class 10
Discussion concepts 11-12. Read Dertouzos Chapters 4, 5, & 6 for 10/2
10/2 class 11
Discussion Dertouzos Chapters 4, 5, & 6. [Read Dertouzos, Chapters 7, 8 & 9 for 10/7]
10/7class 12
WEBSITES 2 DUE; Discussion Dertouzos, Chapters 7, 8 & 9.
10/9 class 13
Exam 1: Dertouzos. [Read Gurak, Chapter 2, for 10/16]
10/13 Fall Break
10/16 class 14: Discussion, Gurak, Chapter 2. [Read concept 13, as much of "History of the Internet"as you'd like; next three are 13a, b, & c; 14 a, b & c; Concept 15 & 16 for 10/21]
10/21 class 15
Discussion, Concepts 13-16 [read 17-20 for 10/23]
10/23 class 16
Discussion, Concepts 17-20 [Read Gurak, Chapters 2, 3, & 4 for 10/28]
10/28 class 17WEBSITES 3 DUE
Discuss Gurak 2-4 [read Gurak 5-8 for 10/30.
10/30 class 18
Discuss Gurak, 5-8
11/4 VOTE! class 19
Exam 2: Gurak [Read Concepts 21 & 22 for 11/6]

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. Why designs go wrong
10.Why computers go wrong
11. Improving System Efficiency
12. Good design aids

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 vs.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 vs.Global Marketplace
26. Urban Villagers vs.Urbane Villagers
27. Control
28. Liquescence
29. New Media might Challenge/Resistexisting 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 Theory
41.Epistemological Chaos & New Media