English 370: Multimedia Literature
Final Research Project
The final research project for this course can take one of
the two following forms:
- A research paper of 10-15 pages in length that addresses
an author, text, or issue presented in the syllabus during this
semester. Examples: the characteristics of "cyberpunk"
as a genre in the fiction of William Gibson and related films;
the benefits of the reader's disorientation in hypertext fiction,
with reference to Joyce, Moulthrop, or Douglas; the problem of
identifying gendered speech in Internet communication. The research
paper should seek out sources of information in print and digital
media beyond the assigned works for the class in support of its
arguments. All sources must be properly acknowledged and included
in the Works Cited for the paper. For specific instructions on
citing Internet sources, see materials at the Modern
Language Association Manual of Style. as with the shorter
writing assignments, please include a copy of your essay on disk.
Illustrations in the form of graphics, URLs, and other enhancements
to the text are encouraged. Particularly successful essays with
be "published" in HTML on the course web-site with
links to the appropriate course materials.
- An online project that likewise addresses an author or issue
related to the course materials for Multimedia Literature. Examples:
a comprehensive information page that addresses the life and
work of an author, particularly one not already fully represented
on the web such as Richard Powers or Jane Douglas; a site devoted
to the "cyborg" as enhancement or deformation of the
human; a site devoted to the "new wave" of science
fiction that features information technology. Students are responsible
for writing files in HTML, or producing pages in such page-maker
programs as Page Mill or Front Page. Each site should be submitted
on disk with error-free links. These sites should contain both
explanatory text and graphics, and they should be structured
in order to facilitate reading on the Web. I will install all
online projects on the course web site.
I'd strongly recommend that students make an appointment to
discuss their final research paper topic or proposed online project.
Papers are due in class on Monday, December 14, 1998. To allow
other members of the class to view online projects, please submit
site files as early as possible. The final paper or project is
worth forty percent of the final course grade.
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