DTC 375 “Language, Texts, and Technology”
Introduction to the Course
Week 1
Monday, August 19
How the course is structured, what we are reading, how you will be assessed
Wednesday, August 21
Special lecture on textuality that is aimed at getting you to see the big picture––that is, why a course called language, texts
and technology is a core course for DTC majors
Friday, August 23
Workshop: WordPress; facilitated by Dene Grigar
I will introduce WP to you. You will use WP as the container for your work during the semester. If you already know
how to work with WP running native on the DTC server, you need to attend the workshop so that you can help me guide
those who do not have experience.
A Philosophical Grounding for the Course
Week 2
Monday, August 26
We will discuss Douglas Rushkoff’s Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, Introduction and
Chapter 1
Wednesday, August 28
We will discuss Douglas Rushkoff’s Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, Chapters 2-3
Friday, August 30
Studio Time; facilitated by Dene Grigar
Make sure that you have completed the assignment for the readings. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some other
method that can be transferred to your WP site. You should not be creating this material from scratch during class. It
should be ready to go.
Week 3
Monday, September 2
Holiday
Wednesday, September 4
We will discuss Douglas Rushkoff’s Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, Chapters 4-7
Friday, September 6
Studio Time; facilitated by Greg Philbrook
Make sure that you have completed the assignment for the readings. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some other
method that can be transferred to your WP site. You should not be creating this material from scratch during class. It
should be ready to go.
Week 4
Monday, September 9
We will discuss Douglas Rushkoff’s Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, Chapters 8-9
Wednesday, September 11
We will discuss Douglas Rushkoff’s Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, Chapter 10
Friday, September 13
Studio Time; facilitated by Dene Grigar
You will finish work on your WP site today for the Rushkoff book. Make sure that you have completed the assignment
for the readings. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some other method that can be transferred to your WP site.
You should not be creating this material from scratch during class. It should be ready to go.
Technology
Week 5
Monday, September 16
Be ready to discuss Paul Ceruzzi’s Computing: A Concise History, Introduction and Chapter 1
Lecture: Computing
Make sure that you have completed the assignment for the readings. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some other
method that can be transferred to your WP site. You should not be creating this material from scratch during class. It
should be ready to go.
Wednesday, September 18
**You will access materials for this course online. You need to complete Paul Ceruzzi’s Computing: A Concise History,
Chapter 2-3
Make sure that you have completed the assignment for the readings .
Friday, September 20
Workshop: iBook Author; faciliated by Amalia Vacca
Make sure that you have completed the assignment for the Introduction and Chapters 1-3. You should also find images,
videos and other media to add to the site. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some other method that can be
transferred to your WP site. You should not be creating this material from scratch during class. It should be ready to go.
Week 6
Monday, September 23
**You will access materials for this course online. You need to complete Paul Ceruzzi’s Computing: A Concise History,
Chapters 4-5
Complete glossary terms associated with these chapters.
Wednesday, September 25
**You will access materials for this course online. You need to complete Paul Ceruzzi’s Computing: A Concise History,
Chapters 6 and Conclusion
Friday, September 27
Studio Time: iBook Author; faciliated by Amaila Vacca
You will finish work on your iBook today for the Ceruzzi book. Make sure that you have completed the assignments.
You should also find images, videos and other media to add to the site. Bring this information on a Flash Drive or some
other method that can be transferred to your WP site. You should not be creating this material from scratch during class.
It should be ready to go.
Week 7
Monday, September 30
Finish iBook or WordPress project for the Ceruzzi book.
Wednesday, October 2
We are back in class together, face to face.
Be ready to discuss N. Katherine Hayles’ “Print Is Flat, Code Is Deep: The Importance of Media-Specific Analysis,”
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/IPRHDigitalLiteracies/Hayles.pdf
Handout on “Mediums,” http://dtc-wsuv.org/dgrigar/mediums.jpg (I have also put online for you this file: http://dtcwsuv.org/dgrigar/mediums.psd
Friday, October 4
Workshop: Prezi; facilitated by
You will visualize how mobile media fits into the Medium Chart using Prezi. Bring ideas, images, videos, sound files and
other media objects to class. You should not need to spend time looking for media during class.
Language & Texts
Week 8
Monday, October 7
Montfort et al, pp. 1-29
Wednesday, October 9
Montfort et al, pp. 31-62
Friday, October 11
Special presentation on Electronic Literature (class will be held in VCLS 210, or “ELL”); facilitated by Dene Grigar and
Amalia Vacca
Week 9
Monday, October 14
Montfort et al, pp. 64-103
Wednesday, October 16
Montfort et al, pp. 76-104
Friday, October 18
Special Lecture; given by pioneering media artist Shelley Jackson
Digital media pioneer and cultural critic Shelley Jackson is on campus working with Grigar in ELL this week. On Friday
she is giving a public lecture about her work. Students are encouraged strongly to attend Friday’s event.
Week 10
Monday, October 21
Montfort et al, pp. 106-155
Wednesday, October 23
Montfort et al, pp. 158-194
Friday, October 25
Special presentation of interactive media and physical computer in the MOVE Lab; facilitated by Dene Grigar and Greg
Philbrook
Week 11
Monday, October 28
Montfort et al, pp. 196-242
Wednesday, October 30
Montfort et al, pp. 244-267
Friday, November 1
We will finish 10 PRINT today
Week 12
Monday, November 4
Work in class on Project 4.
Wednesday, November 6
Work in class on Project 4.
Friday, November 8
N. Katherine Hayles’ How We Think, Chapter 1
Week 13
Monday, November 11
Holiday
Wednesday, November 13
Workshop led by Greg Philbrook
Friday, November 15
N. Katherine Hayles’ How We Think, First Interlude and Chapter 2
Week 14
Monday, November 18
Be ready to discuss N. Katherine Hayles’ How We Think, Chapter 3
Complete glossary terms associated with these chapters, and bring them to class; you will want to refer to them during our
discussion.
Wednesday, November 20
Be ready to discuss N. Katherine Hayles’ How We Think. Chapter 4 (to page 106)
Complete glossary terms associated with these chapters, and bring them to class; you will want to refer to them during our
discussion.
Friday, November 22
Workshop; facilitated by Dene Grigar
Thanksgiving
Postscript
Week 15
Monday, December 2
Synthesis of all readings
Wednesday, December 4
Synthesis of all readings
Friday, December 6
Final Exam Preparation
Led by Dene Grigar
Week 16
Final Exam
Complete Project 5 and have it ready to turn in at the beginning of the exam time. We will spend the exam time
exhibiting your iBooks and discussing ideas found in your reflection.