CA346: Critical Internet Studies
Spring 2012
Lecturer: Danny Kimball
6052 Vilas 6053 Vilas
Office hours: Mon, 2:30-4:30 pm Office hours: Wed 12-1 pm, by appointment
Lecture
Mon & Wed, 11-11:50 am
2080 Grainger
Discussion section with Danny
301 – Mon, 1:20-2:10 pm, 4008 Vilas
Discussion sections with Evan
302 – Mon, 4:35-5:25 pm, 304 Ed Sci 304 – Tues, 3:30-4:20 pm, 114 Social Work
303 – Mon, 5:35-6:25 pm, 4008 Vilas 305 – Tues, 4:35-5:25, 4008 Vilas
Additional course resources (optional)
Facebook: Group: UW Critical Internet Studies
Twitter: hashtag: #ca346
Danny: @djkimball; Evan: @EvanElkins
Course description
The internet has become an immensely pervasive and powerful form of communication, as well as cultural production and consumption. It has risen quickly to prominence, but the internet is still a new medium that has yet to reach most of the world's population, for which user abilities vary greatly, and around which many political struggles remain to be resolved.
This class is a survey that will trace the internet's history, explain some of its basic technological structures, look at its role in social life including identity and community formation and performance, its formal and vernacular politics and policies, and its involvement in popular and participatory cultures. We will explore these themes while looking at the internet from historiographical, ethnographic, political economic, semiotic, rhetorical, and cultural studies approaches.
Course objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students should:
1. Have command of at least one critical perspective and associated research methodology;
2. Be able to analyze internet media in relation to at least one central course theme;
3. Recall key elements of the cultural, political, and technological history of the internet;
4. Be able to use at least one contemporary online site or service professionally and/or socially.
Evaluation
Participation, in classroom and on blog 20%
Practicum project 20%
4 quizzes 20%
Midterm paper 20%
Final exam 20%
Assignments are due on the date listed on this syllabus. In-class quizzes and presentations cannot be made up after the fact. Class attendance is mandatory and more than two absences from discussion section will harm your participation grade.
Important information
This course is designed to be intellectually challenging, broadening your knowledge and critical thinking skills in relation to a medium that you use every day. Thus, some material might challenge your common sense knowledge and thinking. You will be asked to keep an open mind as you engage critically with scholarly works, the popular press, and your everyday experiences.
If you are associated with the McBurney Center, or require accommodations for any assignment, we are happy to do what we can. Notify your instructors of any necessary accommodations as soon as possible. For more information, contact: the McBurney Disability Resource Center, 905 University Ave, 608.263.2741, TTY 608.263.6393.
Remember: the University of Wisconsin treats plagiarism as a serious academic offense. You can find the official policy on academic dishonesty in your student handbook or online here. Any student suspected of academic dishonesty will be dealt with through the Office of the Dean.
