SUMMARY of ASSIGNMENTS:
Writing exercises:
1. TECHNOBIOGRAPHY or MEMOIR of a significant encounter or experience with a
technological object, process, being, etc. You will supplement your memoir (a) with a
proposal (b) on the most appropriate format or mode of expression for such a memoir
(what medium? print? Ðwhat font? Images? layout? Sound? -dialogic voices? voice
3
over? Music? Underscoring? A blog? A web page? Etc. etc. being as specific as you
can) and (c) at least five provocative links or book references you've found related to
your memoir through an online library and web search This exercise will be discussed
and submitted at the first meeting of the discussion group and serve as a writing
sample to assess your pedagogical needs; it also may inspire your paper topic and/or
a creative project. Length (a) memoir 1-2 pages or more. Supplements (b and c) on
format and links 1-2 pages or more. Due in section the first week of class.
2 ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF STILL/Moving IMAGES). Due in section the third
week of class (after the archive theme in week 2). You will select an image (such as an
advertising still and a moving image sequence OR two moving image sequences. At
least one of your images/sequences must be archival, (E.G. a segment from the
computer history archive or the
Prelinger Archive) that foregrounds a technology in some way and a contemporary ad
or internet "film" or "movie" segment that has some terms of comparison. Your choices
should lend themselves to analysis and comparison on the basis of thematics, visuals,
striking contrasts or other relations. Analyze each image/sequence in detail using
guidelines (based on film semiotics). After your formal analysis and your interpretation
of the images and how they compare, discuss the difference of format, medium and
context what meanings or conclusions you have drawn from them. Note that this
analysis goes beyond traditional shot analysis, because it will usually include forms of
direct address. Guide HO second week. Due before section 26 January -- please email to instructor.
example of shot analysis PLEASE NOTE: your analysis will be different because it includes a comparison between either two time-based pieces, or a time-based piece and an image. this example is set forth to demonstrate how to break down a time-based piece.
THE PAPER PROCESS: (a)consult with your instructor and/or T.A. regarding a paper topic
during the third and fourth week of the course; (b)submit a proposal for your topic with an
outline of your (tentative) argument and a list of primary and secondary sources (or
bibliography) of at least ten items by the fifth week of class; (c)bring a draft of your first four
pages to section for discussion and editing the 6th week of class; (d)submit a 7 page draft of
your paper due Tuesday, March 13th; (e)revise and expand your paper to 10 or more pages,
drawing on the comments and suggestions of your T.A. or instructor. (f) Hand in your final
copy at the latest on March 20th at noon. See the PAPER PROCESS GUIDE on the course web
site.
CREATIVE OPTION: If the 7 page draft of your paper has received a B or better you
have the option of planning a creative project with a written component. See
Appendix at the end of this syllabus.
EXAMS: WEEK 5 MIDTERM short answers; covers key concepts in the first half of the course.
Study guide handout the week before.
download midterm study guide
here
TAKE HOME FINAL: DUE MARCH 19 AT 4PM Short essay questions cover key concepts since
the midterm. Handout on last day of class, study guide the week before.
READINGS: Our reading consists of a range of accessible narrative histories and scholarly
historical research as well as thornier theoretical essays.
Books ordered at the Bay Tree Bookstore and on reserve in McHenry Library Reserves (front
desk):
- Wolfgang Schivelbusch, The Great Railway Journey : The Industrialization of Time and Space
- Carolyn Marvin, When Old Technologies Were New (also an electronic resource, that is,
available online via the cruzcat library search engine)
- Lauren Rabinovitz & Abraham Geil, Eds. Memory Bytes: History, Technology and Digital Culture
- Joan Mellen, Modern Times
- Other readings on ERES, HO's (handouts), website, email
Reserve list Ðsee McHenry reserves online