Spring Semester, 2008
List of students in class
Thus, some of the topics we will cover include (1) effect of computers
on reading and belief of information, (2) computer's impact on the
author, reader, and the interaction between them, (3) computers and
argumentation, and (4) interactive genres of literature.
These topics will be discussed at both a conceptual and tool level. By
the end of the course, you will be able to look at an existing system
or design a new system with an understanding of the impact it may have
on communication and storytelling.
This course will focus around discussions of the readings. We will
read one book and assorted papers taken from a variety of conferences
and journals concerning human-computer interaction, hypertext,
media studies, and computers and the humanities.
Book:
Selected papers:
The following links require access to the ACM Digital Library. Access to
ACM Digital Library is available from on-campus computers.
There will be a number of assignments due in class. These assignments
may require use of specific software outside of class time and will
take the form of short essays, written answers to questions, and
design documents. All material turned in should be printed using a
computer printer or typed except when noted otherwise.
Homework late policy:
In case it is needed for an assignment, here is the link to download
the Visual Knowledge Builder (VKB).
The final project report (8-12 pages in ACM Format) will also require the design of an
evaluation procedure for refining the resulting interface. The in-class
presentations of project progress will be about 10 minutes long and the final
presentation on the project will be approximately 20 minutes long and include
all members of the team.
Project grades will be determined by both the instructor's review of the
project and student's description of their and other member's work.
Programming for projects:
Students
There are students from technical and non-technical disciplines
in this course. Projects and assignments are designed such that
each student can show off their own skills. Programming and
software development is part of the group projects so it is
recommended that students from outside of computer science join
project teams with students from computer science.Course description
This class investigates potential and realized impact of computers in
the design of media. Examples of questions to be considered are:
(1)
How does storytelling change when the reader can take links?
(2)
What about when the "reader" plays the role of a character in the story?
and more generally:
(3)
What characteristics of computational media are appropriate for what
types of communication and stories?
Prerequisites
Students should have a basic knowledge of computing and the
humanities, and either the ability to program complex systems or
able to learn new software tools on their own. Ask instructor if you
have any questions.
Reading materials
Reading schedule
Hamlet on the Holodeck: The Future of Narrative in Cyberspace,
by Janet Murray,
book
Grading
Short assignments 25%
Class participation 20%
Team project 30%
Term paper 25%
Short assignments
List of assignments.
10% is deducted from your grade for every
school day late up to a maximum of one week after the original due
date. Class participation
Most class periods will include a discussion of reading materials. One
student will be selected to present a brief overview of
the material for each class and another student (or two) will be assigned
to have discussion questions ready and lead discussion. All students are
expected to have done the readings and be able to participate in
discussions. Keep up with the readings so there will be no pop quizzes!Project
Students will form two-person teams and define a semester project or select
one from a list of existing ideas. There will be three preliminary progress
reports for the projects emphasizing particular phases of the interface
design process:
(1) identifying a topic, determining cognitive and social issues,
and determining an approach,
(2) creating an initial system design and mock-up, and
(3) instantiating the design in a prototype implementation.
done in language and operating system of your choice on
machines to which you have access. Term paper
Each student will select a topic on which to write a 10-15 page
term paper. These papers are to describe the current state of
practice and research with references to the current
literature. Topics need to be approved by the instructor. Students
should be careful to properly use quotation and citation for
information from all sources.General Note on Assignments
Important: All reports are to be printed on a word processor or typed
(no handwritten assignments will be accepted). All writing should be
the work of the student -- any text taken from other sources needs to
be quoted and referenced. It is expected that students will correct
grammar and spelling -- these are grounds to deduct from your
grade. (i.e. Use a spelling checker and reread what you write before
turning it in.)