TOPICS IN DIGITAL MEDIA
Instructor:
Course #
Class:
Time
Office:
Office Hours
Phone:
e-mail:
Dr. Gabriella Coleman
E58.2130-001
25 W 4th , c-16
Monday 4:55 – 7:05
713 East Building
Monday and Tuesday by appointment
212-992-7696
[email protected]
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Computers, especially in their networked dimension, have sparked a series of ethical, political, and social
debates that often revolve around a series of : control and freedom; pleasure and exploitation; creativity and
constraint. In this course we will approach topics in digital media via an historical angle that squarely
addresses these dualities. To this end, we will often cross-cut readings on similar topics and material whose
conclusion about the nature of computing will often vary considerably. The goal, however, is not to
determine the correct or right side of these dualities but have students come away with a firm understanding
of the following: 1) the history of computing and networking in light of the ways the authors as well as
technologists/inventors construct or understand these dualities; 2) the various sources—technological,
social, material, and political—that may shape or drive any of these elements; 3) unpack the political and
social relationships, if any, between them and the stakes involved in how these authors represent the nature
of computing and networking.
The course primarily concentrates on computers and networks and is roughly chronological, starting with
the first digital computers and ending with our digital present. Particular topics we address are: cybernetics
and liberalism; networks and the cold war; personal computers and online communities; hackers, the free
software movement and intellectual property; labor, development, and computers; peer-to-peer knowledge
production and remix culture; computer gaming; and counter-globalization and computer networking.
COURSE FORMAT, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, & ATTENDANCE
This class will be run as a seminar and as indicated below, participation is not only required, but will count
significantly toward your final grade. To aid in our discussion, you will be required to send at least one
question to the whole class, at least 1.5 hours prior to class, engaging with the class readings. Every person
will also be required to give a 10-15 minute presentation either on the history of the topic we are examining
and/or on the chapters of the book we were not required to read. During our first class, I will provide more
details on presentations (and the sign up sheet) as well as the two short papers.
You can miss one unexcused class. Any other missed class should be cleared by me prior to class or after
class with a legitimate excuse. All other missed classes will result in your grade being dropped by one half
letter.
Because this syllabus is a guide, changes in schedule, readings, or assignments may occur .You will be
properly notified in advance if changes need to be made.
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GRADING
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Class Participation: 25%
Paper 1 (4-5 pages): 20%; due March 28th
Paper 2 (5-7 pages): 30%; due one week after our last class on May 12th
Questions and Presentation: 25%
EVALUATION
A= Excellent
This work is comprehensive and detailed, integrating themes and concepts from discussions, lectures and
readings. Writing is clear, analytical and organized. Arguments offer specific examples and concisely
evaluate evidence. Students who earn this grade are prepared for class, synthesize course materials and
contribute insightfully.
B=Good
This work is complete and accurate, offering insights at general level of understanding. Writing is clear,
uses examples properly and tends toward broad analysis. Classroom participation is consistent and
thoughtful.
C=Average
This work is correct but is largely descriptive, lacking analysis. Writing is vague and at times tangential.
Arguments are unorganized, without specific examples or analysis. Classroom participation is inarticulate.
D= Unsatisfactory
This work is incomplete, and evidences little understanding of the readings or discussions. Arguments
demonstrate inattention to detail, misunderstand course material and overlook significant themes.
Classroom participation is spotty, unprepared and off topic.
F=Failed
This grade indicates a failure to participate.
Plus and minus grade indicate the standing within the above grades.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student attending NYU who needs an accommodation due to a chronic, psychological, visual, mobility
and/or learning disability, or is Deaf or Hard of Hearing should register with the Moses Center for Students
with Disabilities at 212 998-4980, 240 Greene Street, www.nyu.edu/csd.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Students who follow special religious holidays that may interfere with the class schedule need to see me at
the beginning of the semester to talk about your schedule.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY & PLAGARISM
Plagiarism or cheating on any assignment will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will result in a
failure of the assignment and possibly failure of this class.
“Academic integrity is the guiding principle for all that you do…you violate the principle when you: cheat
on an exam; submit the same work for two different courses without prior permission from your professors;
receive help on a take-home courses without prior permission from your professors; receive help on a takehome that calls for independent work; or plagiarize. You plagiarize when, without proper attribution, you do
any of the following: copy verbatim from a book, article, or other media; download documents from the
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Internet; purchase documents; paraphrase or restate someone else’s facts, analysis, and/or conclusions…”
(see School of Education Bulletin, 2004-6, p. 174)
STUDENT RESOURCES
Henry and Lucy Moses Center for students with disabilities: 240 Greene St, 2nd Floor
Writing Center: 269 Mercer Street, Room 233. Schedule an appointment online at www.rich15.com/nyu/ or
just walk-in.
READINGS & OTHER MATERIALS:
Most readings are available for purchase at the NYU Bookstore and selected articles and chapters are on
Blackboard (BB).
SCHEDULE
January 28: Introductions and Computers, Liberalism, and Cybernetics
During our first class we will introduce and explore the theoretical problematic and explore various models
by which we can construct the significance of computers and networks.
Some possible topics for discussion are: Technological Affordances vs. Social/Political Context; Dialectics
vs. Dialogics; Politics vs. politics; Encoding Values in Technology vs. Technology Encoding New Social
Values; Free Labor vs. Paid Labor
Class Readings:
Ceruzzi, Paul
“An Unforeseen Revolution: Computers and Expectations” (BB)
Weiner, Norbert
The Human Use of Human Beings: Cybernetics and Society (Chapter 1 and 7; Cybernetics in History,
Secrecy, and Social Policy) (BB)
Hayles, Katherine
How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics (prologue,
chapter 1 and 4)
Helpful, General Overviews and Texts on the Computer and Networking:
Campbell-Kelly, M. & Aspray, W
Computers: A History of the Information Machine
Waldrop, M. M.
The Dream Machine: J.C.R. Licklider and the Revolution that made Computing Personal
February 4: Early Networks & Conceptualizing Networks
Edwards, Paul
The Closed World: Computers and the Politics of Discourse in Cold War America (pp. 1-22, 29-40,
75-79, 113-118, 148-173, 180-196, 239-250, 262-273)
Galloway, Alex and Thacker, Eugene
The Exploit (pp. 25-31, 42-47)
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For Presentation:
Edwards, Paul
Pick one chapter from above where we only read a few sections.
Galloway, Alex and Thacker, Eugene
The Exploit (pp. 1-22, 31-42)
February 11: Hacking and Technological Tinkering
Waldrop, Thomas
The Dream Machine. The Intergalatic Network (pp. 259-286)
Levy, Steven
Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution (BB) (TBD)
Thomas, Douglas
Hacker Culture (BB) (Chapter 1, Hacking Culture)
* Bodroghkozy, Aniko
Groove Tube, "The Yippies, Media Manipulation, and Talk Shows" chapter (BB) (pp. 98-122)
Nelson, Ted
Computer Liberation (BB) (pp. 301-318)
Rosenbaum, Ron
Secrets of the Little Blue Box. Esquire Magazine.
http://www.webcrunchers.com/crunch/esq-art.html
Please listen to this NPR interview with Ron Rosenbaum before class
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13764518
February 18: Presidents Day
No class We will not reschedule any missed class but you will have a slightly longer reading for the 25th .
February 25: Networking and Networking through the Personal Computer
Waldrop, Thomas
The Dream Machine. The Intergalatic Network (pp. 287-304)
Turner, Fred
From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network and the Rise of
Digital Utopianism (Introduction, Chapter 1-6)
Presentation:
Waldrop, Thomas
The Dream Machine. The Intergalatic Network (pp 304-332)
Turner, Fred
From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network and the Rise of
Digital Utopianism (Chapter 8)
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March 3: Free Software, Hackers, and the Internet
Kelty, Chris
Two Bits: The Cultural Significance of Free Software
Warner, Michael
“Publics and Counterpublics” (BB)
March 10: Free Software, Hackers, and the Internet
Kelty, Chris.
Two Bits: The Cultural Significant of Free Software
Galloway, Alex and Thacker, Eugene.
The Exploit
March 24: Global Labor
Xiang, Biao
Global "Body Shopping": An Indian Labor System in the Information Technology Industry
Paper #1 due at the end of the week on the 28th
March 31: Games, Gamers, and Gaming
Dibbell, Julian
Play Money
Wark, McKenzie
Gamer Theory
April 7: Games, Gamers, and Gaming
Dibbell, Julian
Play Money
Wark, McKenzie
Gamer Theory
April 14: Remix Culture
Sinrech, Aram.
Configurable Culture: Mainstreaming the Remix, Remixing the Mainstream (BB)
Jenkins, Henry
Convergence Culture (BB)
April 21: The Political Economy and Politics of Networks
Benkler, Yochai
The Wealth of Networks
Lovink, Geert
Zero Comments (BB)
April 28: The Political Economy and Politics of Networks
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Benkler, Yochai
The Wealth of Networks
Wu, Tim and Jack Goldsmiths
Who Really Controls the Internet?
May 5: Political Activism and Computing
Juris, Jeff
Networking Futures: the Movements against Corporate Globalization (BB)
Holmes, Brian
Unleashing the Collective Phantoms: Essays in Reverse Imagineering (BB)
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