ATEC 3325: Introduction to Computer Mediated Communication

Spring 2008, JO 4.504, Section 510 (W, 7:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.)

Prof. Sarah Lynne Bowman

Office Number: ATEC Project Lab
Office Hours: W, 2-3:45 and by appointment
Office Phone: (972) 883-2018
E-mail: singingyoutoshipwreck@hotmail.com

Course Description
This introductory course on computer-mediated communication (CMC) will explore ways in which human-to-
human communication interactions have been influenced or altered through the use of computer technology.
How has the mediation of computers affected the substance and processes of our interactions with each other?
How are virtual communities related to geopolitical communities? How do our understanding of language and
communication change with CMC activities? We shall survey and study established and emerging modalities of
computer mediated communication and mediums such as email, egroups, bulletin boards, and real-time chat
rooms. While this course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of CMC, we will also analyze CMC
from other theoretical perspectives such as that of communication and cultural studies, to name a few.

ATEC 3325 is a reading intensive course, as are most introductions to theories, and furthermore, it is a writing
intensive course. Your progress in this class will depend significantly on 1) your demonstrated ability to respond
to the readings in an informed and timely manner and 2) to apply any of the theoretical frameworks to CMC
activities for analysis in an informed manner, and 3) submitting assignments and other requirements in a timely
manner. I will give detailed written feedback on all assignments except the homework and class work. You must
rigorously proofread all work for spelling, grammar, and mechanical errors. The student must meet and exceed
expectations to earn an “A” on any given assignment.

Course Goals and Objectives

Upon successful completion of ATEC 3325, students should be able to:

• Write effectively using appropriate organization, mechanics, and style;

• Construct effective written arguments addressing CMC-related themes;
• Gather, incorporate, and interpret source material in their writing;
• Analyze CMC from different disciplinary perspectives (communication, cultural studies, history) and
communicate that analysis in class discussions and in writing;
• Cite in-text and include a Works Cited page using MLA citation style; and
• Analyze and evaluate in writing the arguments of CMC theorists.

Required Textbooks
Howard, Philip N. and Jones, Steve, eds. Society Online: The Internet in Context. Sage, 2004.

Vitanza, Victor J, ed. CyberReader (Abridged Edition). Pearson Longman, 2005.

Wood, Andrew F. and Smith, Matthew J. Online Communication: Linking Technology, Identity, & Culture. Second
Edition. Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates, 2005.

Gibson, William. Neuromancer. New York: Ace Books, 1984.

Skills and Other Requirements for the Course

The course is taught using WebCT. All students must have UTD User IDs and passwords to access course materials—
including the submission of assignments. Students have the responsibility to ensure that the course remains
accessible to them for the duration of the semester.

Note: I reserve the right to modify this syllabus at any time during the course to suit the needs of the students
and the course objectives. Any modifications shall be given to you in writing.
College level writing is expected in this course. Assignments that do not reflect college level writing will not earn
high grades.

Assignments
Assignment Points % Due Date
Midterm Exam (3 to 4 pages, approx) 200 20% Feb 20
Critical Draft 1 (5 pages minimum) 0 0% Feb 27

Critical Draft 2 (10 pages minimum) 0 0% March 19

Critical Final Draft (12-15 pages) 250 25% April 16

Portfolio 200 20% April 23
Participation and Attendance 50 5% N/A

Final Exam (3 to 4 pages, approx) 200 20% TBA

Online Posts/Responses 100 10% One per week

(length varies)

NOTE: You will double-space all papers and exam responses. Use only 11 or 12 point font.
Grading Scale
930 – 1000 = A 730 – 769 = C
900 – 929 = A - 700 – 729 = C-
870 – 899 = B+ 670 – 699 = D+
830 – 869 = B 630 – 669 = D
800 – 829 = B- 600 – 629 = D-
770 – 799 = C+ 599 and below = F
(Grading scale is consistent with the UTD Undergraduate Catalogue, 2006-08.)

ATEC 3325 Schedule, SPRING 2008

Jan 9 Introduction to Course, Communications Theory

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapter 1, 2, and 3

Jan 16 Identity

Assignment: Howard, Chapter 1 (Society Online)

Turkle, page 57 (CyberReader)
Jan 23 Online Communities

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapters 4 and 6

Howard, page 1 (Society Online)
Norris, page 31 (Society Online)
 Rheingold, page 89 (CyberReader)
Jan 30 Digital Divide
Internet Addiction

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapter 5 and 8

Nakamura, page 71 (Society Online)
Feb 3 Gender and Race

Assignment: Shade, page 57 (Society Online)

Chapter 3 (CyberReader)
Mulvey and Lorber (handouts)
Feb 13 Virtual Reality and Cyberspace, Legal Issues and Cyberspace

Assignment: Chapter 1 (CyberReader)

Starke-Meyerring, Burk, and Gurak, page 275 (Society Online)
Chapter 4 (CyberReader)
Feb 20 Midterm Examination, News and New Media

Assignment: Dessauer, page 121 (Society Online)

Feb 27 Draft 1 of Essay due (Workshop), CMC and Popular Culture

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapter 10

Leary, page 77 (CyberReader)
Leary, page 87 (CyberReader)
Mar 5 **LAST DAY TO DROP WITH WP/WF**

Culture and Socialization Online

Assignment: Griswold and Wright, page 203 (Society Online)

Peterson and Ryan, page 223 (Society Online)
Mar 12 SPRING BREAK (March 10-15)

Mar 19 Draft 2 of Essay due (Workshop), CMC and Consumer Culture

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapter 7

Nakamura, page 71 (Society Online)
Silver and Garland, page 157 (Society Online)
Mar 26 CMC, the Cyberpunk, and the Bigger Picture

Assignment: Gibson, Neuromancer

Leary, page 77 (CyberReader)
Leary, page 87 (CyberReader)

Apr 2 MOOs, MUDs, and Chatrooms, Blogs and Social Network Sites

Assignment: Explore at least three online environments and write description of encounters and analysis for
contrast
Apr 9 Politics and Power in Cyberspace

Assignment: Wood and Smith, Chapter 9

Stromer-Galley, page 87 (Society Online)
Rice and Katz, page 103 (Society Online)
Apr 16 Draft 3 of Essay due, Future of CMC, Course Wrapup

Chapter 5 (CyberReader)
 Apr 23 Final Examination

Policies
General Policies and Course Expectations
• Students must submit all major assignments (not including homework/class work) to pass the course.
Students who fail to submit all major assignments will not pass the course, regardless of the number of
points the student has earned.
• Cell phones and digital pagers must be powered off during formal class hours.
• I will not accept late homework/class work regardless of the excuse.
• Please do not bring meals to class. Students should eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a time other
than class time.
Room and Equipment Use
• Tampering with or destroying any of the computers, printers, Smart Board, white boards, modems or
wiring in the classroom is strictly prohibited. Violations will result in disciplinary action by the Dean of
Students’ office.
• The room may be used only for ATEC 3325 related activities. You may not work on other class projects,
check your e-mail, print, work for other classes, burn CDs that are not part of ATEC 3325 assignments,
install software (games, music, executables, programming languages, or any other software that has not
been approved). Any violation of the above restriction would refer a student to disciplinary action with
the Dean of Students office. A second violation will result in the student receiving an “F” in the course
regardless of the quality of class work.
Absence Policy
Because successfully completing ATEC 3325 depends upon your attendance and participation, even absences
resulting from seemingly legitimate circumstances can hinder your overall performance. I will allow students one
(1) day as a personal/free/sick leave for this semester. For every absence over one (1), the student’s
“attendance and participation” grade will be reduced by 25 points. Students who accumulate two (2) or more
absences should seriously consider withdrawing from the course.

I will consider excusing absences for extended illness and/or hospital stay on an individual and case-by-case
basis. Students should consult with me privately regarding such circumstances.

Punctuality
It is important to attend class on time. Persistent and reoccurring tardiness is disrespectful to me and to your
fellow peers. If you continually arrive to class late, it will affect your final grade in the course. Student may leave
early with instructor permission; however, such occurrences should be very infrequent.

Field Trip Policies

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University
policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules
and regulations may be found at the website address
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information
is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-related
activity associated with this course.

Student Conduct & Discipline

 The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the
orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student
organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and
activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A
to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and
established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of
Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student
Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and
regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or
she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university
regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of
conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are
also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the
value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for
that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her
scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications
for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is
not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating,
plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general
catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for
possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages
all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that
faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account.
This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free
email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail
forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These
dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be
followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other
 words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you
will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are
enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of
academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the
matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates
(hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is
not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written
appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student
may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will
appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final.
The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students,
where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the
semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be
resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required
work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified
deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to
those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union.
Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to
7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary
to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove
classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who
are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper
versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with
mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may
need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation.
Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student
has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact
 the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the
travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from
property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the
absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the
exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the
length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and
completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to
complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam
or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious
holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to
complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from
the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must
take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of
the chief executive officer or designee.

General Grading Criteria

Analysis of Audience and Purpose
Any written assignment you prepare for this class should present a clear purpose (i.e., what you are attempting
to accomplish). An introduction, generally speaking, should establish your purpose for the paper. You should also
write to address an audience. For example, the audience might be those whom you can likely persuade on a
given side of the issue.

Organization and Development (Overall Content)

It is important to structure effectively the information and also provide adequate support for ideas and
arguments through evidence and analysis. Effective writing also necessitates that you effectively structure each
paragraph and each section.

Thesis or Main Point

Any piece of writing should support a main point, central claim, or thesis. Your written essays and essay answers
on exams should support a main point that you are communicating to an intended audience.

Style
Word choices, use of language, and sentence structure become very important for a piece of writing’s overall
effectiveness. Writers should maintain an appropriate level of style for the audience and also for their intended
purpose.

Format (Delivery and Design Features)

Formatting concerns relate to certain and specific visual features such as font size and type, font style, white
space, and use of color. Writers make a multitude of basic formatting decisions when preparing content.

Professionalism
I expect you to proofread and edit carefully all work you submit in this class. I also expect you to adhere to
conventional English grammar and mechanics on all assignments. Professionalism also means that you use
appropriate source citation wherever and whenever necessary so that you avoid violations of copyright – even if
those violations are inadvertent.
Critical Essay/Term Paper Assignment Description (Draft and Final)
Value: 250 points or 25%
Draft Due: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 (uploaded to WebCT by 11:55 p.m. that evening)
Draft Length: at least 5 pages, typed and double spaced, 11 or 12 point font, MLA citations
Draft Due: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 (uploaded to WebCT by 11:55 p.m. that evening)
Draft Length: at least 7 pages, typed and double spaced, 11 or 12 point font, MLA citations
Final Draft Due: Uploaded to WebCT by Wednesday, April 16, 2008 by 11:55 p.m.
Final Length: 10-15 pages (not including “Works Cited”), typed and double spaced, 11 or 12 point font, MLA
citations

Assignment Expectations and Description

For the critical essay assignment, you will choose one issue from the course and write a well-reasoned,
substantively developed paper that supports a thesis. You will also use readings from the class and/or additional
research as evidence to support your thesis, but the paper is not a research paper per se.

Your paper should first clearly define the important issue or issues in its introduction. Then, the body of the
paper should present supporting arguments and evidence for the position. Finally, the conclusion will summarize
the thesis and state the importance of the overall topic. You can think of this paper as a continuation of your
“short position essay;” it can represent an expanded argument that builds upon the content of the previous 5-
page assignment.

Criteria
I will assess your paper according to the following criteria:

• Thesis: Does the paper contain an explicit or implicit central claim or main point?
• Organization and Development: Does the paper possess structure? Are points and ideas clearly
presented and supported?
• Style: Has the writer chosen effective words to express his or her ideas? Is the writer’s sentence
structure effective? Does the essay reflect college-level writing?
• Focus: Does the paper address the same topic throughout or does the paper shift from one major
theme or topic to another?
• Grammar and Mechanics: Does the written document adhere to conventional grammar?
• Analysis, Critical Thinking: Does the paper show that the writer has analyzed issues??
• Audience and Purpose: Is the audience for this essay clear? Can the user or reader clearly identify your
purpose or what you are attempting to accomplish in the essay?

MLA Citation and Plagiarism

Please correctly use Modern Language Association (MLA) for parenthetical (in-text) citation and format concerns.
You must include a “Work” or “Works Cited” page – in this case, a “listing” – with your essay. An
essay that does not provide adequate source documentation is not acceptable for this assignment and therefore
potentially subject to a failing grade.
The “Work” or “Works Cited” page should meet MLA requirements as stipulated in the MLA Handbook for Writers
of Research Papers, Sixth Edition. Please review policies regarding plagiarism from the ATEC 3325 policy
statement and syllabus for Summer II 2007.

Other Important Notes

Your essay or paper must meet and exceed expectations to earn the “A” grade. The paper should not merely
present a summary of readings or summary of an authority’s position on the subject. It is understood that you
may need to summarize a particular perspective or aspect of an issue; however, I should be able to read your
arguments and thoughts as substantiated by evidence and reasoning. In other words, your voice should come
through clearly.

Other Helpful Links/Information

MLA Citation
http://mit.imoat.net/handbook/mla-gpc.htm

http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/research/mlaparen.html

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_mla.html

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html

Toulmin Model for Argumentation

http://commfaculty.fullerton.edu/rgass/toulmin2.htm

http://www.concentric.net/~Creyn266/COMM335/Toulmin.htm

http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~digger/305/toulmin_model.htm

Online Responses
Due: twice a week
Length: Varies

You will post at least two (2) responses per week reacting to class discussions and readings. The only
requirement for these posts is that you must offer a critical and thoughtful response to course content.
Otherwise, you may feel free to comment and critique how ever you deem appropriate and beneficial, and
ideally, the posts will inspire and encourage an on-line, asynchronous dialogue outside of the physical classroom
environment. Please post responses to WebCT. I will create discussion forums for this purpose.