Cybertext (ENG 333) Fall 2006

C y b e r t e x t

ENG 333 / HSS 403 Fall 2006
Prof. Chris Funkhouser
funkhouser@adm.njit.edu

…cybertext theory addresses the unique dual materiality of cybernetic sign production and gives us an accurate and heuristic description of how the textual medium works. It achieves this goal by approaching computers as computers, and not in the common montypythonesque way of defining networked and programmable media as something completely different, be that theatre, cinema, comics or (poorly read) continental philosophy. The elementary idea is to see a text as a concrete (and not metaphorical) machine consisting of the medium, the operator, and the strings of signs.

—Markku Eskelinen, “Cybertext Theory”

The purpose of this course is to help students formulate advanced understandings of textual concepts and programming through invention, cultivation and implementation of ideas.

Through theoretical readings and electronic research, students explore and compare information structuring in print and digital media, particularly how digital technology influences the dynamics of text. Interactivity, visual communication and developments in the realm of cybernetics are addressed in the course.

—NJIT catalog description of ENG 333

ENG 333 and HSS 403 are the same course, with one difference. 333 is meeting approximately every other week during the semester (dates indicated below), and 403 is a Distance Learning course. Both groups are *required* to use the online course materials and WebCT conferencing system. The WebCT discussions will generally focus on course materials, and on works being developed by those enrolled (although other uses are possible). Questions and the discussion of technical problems are always welcome. Students are required to discuss their impressions, ideas, and questions about course topics as often as possible using the WebCT bulletin board. Each student must post her or his weekly reading response (weeks 1-9); 403 students must post at least one additional substantive entry (or multiple substantive—i.e., thoughtful—posts totaling at least 250 words) every week during the semester. Students from both sections are required to engage in the WebCT discussion forums on a weekly basis.

333 students will meet in Cullimore 315 on the following dates (403 students may also attend): September 5, 19; October 3, 17; November 7, 14, 28; December 12

My campus office hours are 3 p.m-5 p.m. on Thursdays (and by appointment) in Cullimore 425. (Note: office hours will not be held on Sept. 14). I am also available for one-on-one virtual office meetings by appointment (in addition to the CHAT sessions).

Developing both “perspectives on ergodic literature” and your own creative work are the emphasis of the course. Students should begin to develop ideas regarding the Cybertext project as early in the semester as possible in order to have ample time to experiment with and cultivate her or his project(s), which will be reviewed and discussed by the class during the last part of the semester.

C o u r s e
F a c t s h e e t

Required reading:

1. Aarseth, Espen. Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature. Baltimore: Johns
Hopkins UP, 1997. ISBN 0-8018-5579-9

2. All links embedded into the course WWW syllabus, and links posted on the “additional links” section in the course WebCT space. See http://web.njit.edu/~funkhous/2006/cybertext

Course requirements:

1. Weeks 1-10: a bi-weekly reading response, 250-500 words must be posted in the appropriate section of the course WebCT space. Responses can be a response to someone else’s response (as I wish to encourage dialog). These will be marked on a 1-10 point scale, and the final draft of the response should be posted to the "Assignments" section of the WebCT space (you can post a draft to the appropriate section of the discussion board to get some preliminary feedback if you wish, or post to Discussion board and Assignments at the same time). Please limit these responses to 500 words.

*PLEASE NOTE*: I would like for the responses posted on the discussion board to appear in the body of the message post, not as an attachment. So, please copy from MS Word and paste into your WebCT message. For Assignment submissions, you attach the .doc file WHICH MUST INCLUDE YOUR LAST NAME IN IT.

2. Weeks 10-11: participation in group project (marked on a 1-10 point scale).

3. Cybertext project: Each student will prepare a cybertext of her or his own design (projects may also be done collaboratively). This is an open-ended creative project to be completed over the course of the semester, and should be extensive, highly developed work. Simple proposals for the project are due during Week 5; Detailed proposals are due by the end of Week 9.

Grades:

Reading responses: 30%
Group Project (Moodle): 10%
Cybertext Project: = 30%
Active participation in class discussions/process throughout the semester = 30%

C o u r s e
W o r k

Week 1 (9/5- 9/12): Ergodic Literature

Reading:

Chapter One, Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature.

Markku Eskelinen, “Cybertext Theory”

Post introductions, discussion, and any questions about course materials to WebCT.

Week 2 (ends 9/19): Paradigms and Perspectives

Reading:

Chapter Two, Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature.

Stuart Moulthrop. A Subjective Chronology of Cybertext, Hypertext, and Electronic Writing 2002-2006

Set up AFS server space: instructions will be posted for 403 students