ATEC 3325: Introduction to Computer Mediated Communication

Section 001

Dr. Gooch
Office Number: JO 5.608F
Office Hours: TR, 9 – 11:00 a.m. and by appointment
Office Phone: (972) 883 – 2076
E-mail: john.gooch@utdallas.edu

Course Objectives and 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 the semiotics of communication
change with CMC activities? We shall survey and study established and emerging modalities of
computer mediated communication activities such as emails, egroups, bulletin boards, real-time
chat rooms, web cams, MOOs (multi-user domains object-oriented) and MUDs (multi-user
domains) as well as the strong presence of technology mediation that is changing the educational
landscape. 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, linguistics,
or cultural studies, to name a few.

This is a reading intensive course, as most introductions to theories tend to be. Your progress in
class would 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. This is a writing course with emphasis on process writing. I will give detailed
written feedback on all assignments except the response papers. You must rigorously proofread
all work for spelling, grammar, and mechanical errors. The student must meet and exceed the
assignment expectations to earn an “A” on any given assignment.

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.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

It is the policy of UTD to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are
students with disabilities. This university will adhere to all applicable Federal, State and local
laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as
required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the
office of services for students with disabilities (Kerry Tate at (972) 883-2098 or
ktate@utdallas.edu) in a timely manner to arrange for reasonable accommodations.

Required Textbooks
Smith and Kollock (Eds), Communities in Cyberspace
Vitanza (Ed), CyberReader, Second Edition
Wood and Smith, Online Communication

Students must have a working email address and access to the Internet via a browser that
supports image and text downloads. Students must also have access to a word/image editor that
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 you three (3) days as personal/free/sick leave for this semester.
Students will receive one letter grade reduction for every absence over three (3). Students who
accumulate five 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.

Incompletes Policy
As per UTD policy, an incomplete will not be given unless the student has completed 70% of the
course work and/or the conditions for not being able to complete the course work can be
documented through medical and/or emergency documentation. The decision to grant an
incomplete will be made by both the instructor and the program director.

Correspondence
I will send all electronic correspondence only to a student’s UTD email address and require that
all official electronic correspondence between a student and me be transmitted from the
students’ UTD email account. UT Dallas furnishes each student a FREE Network ID (netid) linked
to an email account. To activate or maintain a UTD computer account and/or to set email
forwarding options, go to http://netid.udallas.edu. NOTE: The UTD Department of Information
Resources provides a method for students to forward their UTD email to other personal and
business email to other personal or business emails accounts.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional use of other people’s ideas, words, phrases, entire
paragraphs or single sentences without acknowledging the source in timely and appropriate
citations. Plagiarism is a form of scholastic dishonesty that is punishable by failing the
assignment, failing the course, being put on academic probation or in extreme cases dismissal
from the university. If you borrow content or graphics from other books, course lectures,
websites or other forms of print or electronic media, you must cite them according to
specifications mandated for this course. Everything you submit for peer or instructor review for
this class is bound by the academic honor code that requires it to be your unique work with
borrowed content properly cited.

In contrast to plagiarism’s inappropriate use of other sources’ information, cheating, or scholastic

dishonesty, includes a wide range of behaviors. The UTD Scholastic Dishonesty page lists
eighteen types of behaviors, including copying another student’s work, making work or
information available for another student, accessing information at inappropriate times, and
submitting an assignment that you did not prepare. This list is not exhaustive but does provide a
sense of common ways cheating occurs. While you can (and in fact should) seek the help and
advice of friends, classmates, and tutors, including the Writing Center in McDermott Library, be
sure that your individual work is completely your own.

Students should be familiar with UTD’s policies on scholastic dishonesty and conduct UTD's
policies on student discipline and conduct, which includes a description and examples of
scholastic dishonesty and misconduct.

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 thus made 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
Literature Review 100 10% February 3
Midterm Exam 100 10% March 2
Team Contract (collaborative) 100 10% March 24
Communication Analysis Final Report 200 20% April 21
(collaborative)
Final Exam 200 20% TBA
Response Papers (4 @ 50 points 200 20% January 20, February 17,
each) March 3, and April 7
Merit Review (2 @ 25 points each) 50 5% March 17 and April 14
Participation and Class Work 50 5% Varies
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, 2004-06.)

ATEC 3325 Schedule, SPRING 2006

Week of Theme/Topic Readings
January 10, 12 Introduction Wood and Smith, Chap. 1 and 2

January 17, 19 Community in Cyberspace Smith and Kollock, Chap. 1

Wood and Smith, Chap. 6
Rheingold, page 63 (Vitanza)

January 24, 26 Identity Smith and Kollock, Chap. 2

Turkle, page 78 (Vitanza)
Wood and Smith, Chap. 3

January 31, February 2 Race and Gender Issues Smith and Kollock, Chap. 3 and 4
Kantrowitz, page 176 (Vitanza)
Herring, page 190 (Vitanza)

February 7, 9 (Cyber)Politics and Wood and Smith, Chap. 8 and 9

(Cyber)Power

February 14, 16 (Cyber)Politics and Smith and Kollock, Chap. 5

(Cyber)Power Smith and Kollock, Chapter 8
Smith and Kollock, Chap. 12

February 21, 23 Relationships and Conflict Wood and Smith, Chap. 4 and 5
Management in Cyberspace Smith and Kollock, Chap. 6

February 28, March 2 Midterm (March 2)

March 6 – 11 SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK

March 14, 16 Freedom, Censorship, and Part 3 (in Vitanza)

Last day to withdraw – Legal Aspects of Computer
March 16 Mediated Communication

March 21, 23 Freedom, Censorship, and Barlow, page 318 (in Vitanza)
Legal Aspects of Computer Critical Art Ensemble, page 339
Mediated Communication (in Vitanza)
March 28, 30 Cyberspace and Popular Wood and Smith, Chapter 10
Culture Part 6 (in Vitanza)
The Cyberpunk

April 4, 6 MUDs, MOOs, and Chatrooms Part 7 (in Vitanza)

April 11, 13 The Virtual Marketplace Smith and Kollock,

Chap. 9 and 10
Wood and Smith, Chap. 7

April 18, 20 VR and Cyberspace Part 1 (in Vitanza)

Slouka, page 95 (in Vitanza)

April 25 – May 1 FINAL EXAM WEEK