CM100: Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication
Spring 2008

Assignments Students will be graded on the following:

1. Web Site (200 points): The development a web site asseses how well students can implement media theory into the design of a site, and how well students have acquired scripting skills. Students will create a basic web site creatively illustrating the internet theories introduced in class with the HTML. A minimum of five original pages should be interlinked. The site should be related to one of your interests, such as a favorite band, a sports team, a hobby, or a goal (going to graduate school or getting a job when you graduate!).  If the site is a resume, it should be expanded substantially from the homework project. Focus on the following three criteria for the site:
   
   • Because the web is a communication medium, the site should be constructed from a communication perspective.  Pay close attention to the audience, context, organization and image of the speaker on the site.  Be clear in the wording of the text, navigation labels, headers, and link names.
   • Exploit the uniqueness of the web communication medium by using ideas from the Brent, Negroponte, Licklider, Donnelly and Tilton or other articles. Put these articles to practical use by experimenting with the hypertext/digital communication techniques that they describe.
   • Neatly format  the HTML code as discussed in the HTML section of the course.  Make appropriate use of tables, lists, pictures, and frames to effectively communicate.  Students are not expected to utilize HTML tags that have not been discussed in lectures or readings.
     
   Submit the final web site according to the instructions in the syllabi link.  You should write up to a 3 page paper explaining how your site follows the above criteria.  Send the paper to the instructor via email.  The paper will not be graded, but it will be used to help assess your Web site.
   
2. Summary and reaction essays (200 points): Friends in the industry tell me that they must read every day to keep up with changes in new media. To assess analytical reading skills, students will choose any two reading assignments and complete a two-page critical analysis of the reading.
• The essays should clearly summarize one particular idea from an assigned reading and then engage that idea by applying it to the structure/content of a web site or by comparing it to ideas in other reading or by carefully analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. For example, the first essay by Bush discusses voice recognition, document retrieval, blazing trails through many documents, associative links, etc. Pick just one of these ideas, such as trailblazing. Describe trailblazing and refer to Bush's examples, then analyze trailblazing by considering its limitations, its potential and whether it is being done now. The trailblazing reaction essay might also include links (with some commentary) to other Web sites that illustrate trailblazing.
• Essays must be published to your UAH web account anytime before the beginning of class on the day we discuss the article. Create a subfolder called CM100/essays in which to publish the web pages and name each as "essayX.htm" where X is the number of the essay.  For example if someone types in the URL webpages.uah.edu/~doej/CM100/essays/essay1.htm, Jane Doe's first essay should appear in the browser. Essays that use hypertext appropriately and creatively to critique a reading will be awarded extra points.  Email a link to the reaction paper to the instructor at any time anytime before the beginning of class on the day it is discussed.
  
• Example essays can be found here and here.
3. Skills Test (50 points): Students will take a basic computer literacy test to demonstrate that they posses the knowledge of editing and file management required to enroll in the course.  The test is graded Pass/Not Pass. Those who do not pass the test must practice with tutorials and arrange with the instructor re-take the test before midterm. Passing grades are recorded as 100%.
   
4. Homework (50 points): There are periodic homework assignments due throughout the semester. Successful completion of them prior to class will receive credit. Each homework assignment is worth the same amount. Should your homework be deemed unsatisfactory for credit you will be notified by me and we will discuss the assignment's shortcomings.
   
5. Participation (100 points): Student must attend class and actively participate in discussions and exercises. The participation grade is a means of assessing reading comprehension and discussion questions will asses how well students can apply of class theories to the web sites and projects that affect their everyday life. See attendance policy in the course details.
   
6. Examinations (200 points): The knowledge and critical understanding of the people, places and ideas important to computer-mediated communication will be assesed through written exams. Students will be administered two exams of equal value consisting of matching, short answer and essay questions. Exams will test your ability to recall theories, principles, names and dates from course readings and lecture.  More importantly, the exams require that what is learned from the course be practically applied through questions.  The exams will be challenging but fair.  You must keep up with reading and class notes to perform well.
   
7. Oral Web Report (200 points): Choose an interesting (novel, creative, popular, etc.) web site to critique. The report will be a formal, oral critique of the web site's organization, adaptation to audience, credibility, coding clarity, and persuasive or informative effectiveness. The reports should apply what we have learned through the readings and class discussion to your critique of the site. Make explicit reference to the names and ideas of the people we have studied. Follow the grading criteria that is provided on the web site.  Reports will be given during the last weeks of class. 
   Time: 6-8 minutes.