MTS 501 (Fall 2016)

Media, Technology, and Society (MTS) 503

Northwestern University

Wednesdays 9am-11:50am

Frances Searle Building Room 2-107

Instructor: Aaron Shaw (aaronshaw@northwestern.edu)

• Frances Searle 2-142
• Office Hours: TBA and by appointment.

Course resources:

• We will use Canvas for announcements, submitting assignments, and maybe discussions.
• Everything else will be linked to from this page.

A note about this syllabus

You should expect this syllabus to be a dynamic document and you will notice that there are a few places left blank or marked "To Be Determined." Although the core expectations for this class are fixed, the details of readings and assignments will shift. As a result, there are three important things to keep in mind:

1. Details on this syllabus will change, but I will not change readings or assignments less than one week before they are due. If I don't fill in a "To Be Determined" one week before it's due, it is dropped. If you plan to read more than one week ahead, contact me first.
2. Keep an eye out for emails and announcements I send through Canvas re: updates to the syllabus. You can also review the edit history of this page to track what has changed recently and compare it against earlier versions.
3. You can always give me feedback and suggestions related to what works and what doesn't about the course. I will explicitly solicit your input a few times during the quarter, but be bold and feel free to submit your feedback to me at any time in any format. In the past, I have made substantive changes to courses on-the-fly in response to student feedback.

Requirements & expectations

Attendance

Attendance is required. This is a graduate seminar with an interactive format. Showing up and participating is not negotiable.

Using devices with screens in class

You can use devices with screens (laptops, phones, tablets, watches, etc.) during class for class-related purposes (e.g., taking notes, looking up readings, viewing other course materials, etc.). Unfortunately, these devices are distraction machines and it's very easy to get distracted. Just as it is your responsibility for being physically present in class, your mental presence is also your responsibility. Please ensure that your device usage does not compromise your mental presence. If you appear distracted by the contents of your screen or otherwise fail to achieve mental presence because of screen-related issues, I will either ask you to put away your screen(s) or leave the room.

Assignments

The assignments are designed to facilitate your progress toward the course objectives. Due dates for assignments are included in the course schedule below. I expect you to complete all the assignments.

Readings

Almost every week will have some required readings. In general, I will provide links to readings or distribute them via Canvas. You are expected to have read these before you come to class and to have prepared for discussion. There are also some suggested readings and other resources you might find useful.

Writing assignments

Every week, I ask you to produce and submit some written work. Unless otherwise noted, you should plan to upload this work to Canvas by 9am on Tuesday morning each week (24 hours before the class meets). This will make it possible for me and your colleagues to read and comment on your work before class.

Final Project

Due: Wednesday, December 7

Course schedule

Week 1:

Reading: Assignment:

Resources

This section can accumulate helpful resources on topics generally related to the content of the course.

Other Policies & protocols

Confidentiality of Peers’ Work

Throughout the course, you will be receiving, reading and commenting on classmates’ writing. These writing assignments are for class use only. You may not share them with anybody outside of class without explicit written permission from the document’s author and pertaining to the specific piece.

Confidentiality of In-Class Discussions

It is essential to the success of this class that participants feel comfortable sharing questions, thoughts, ideas, fears, reservations, apprehensions and confusion about works-in-progress, writing, the research process and scholarly experiences more generally speaking during discussions. Therefore, you may not create any audio or video recordings during class time nor share verbatim comments with those not in class nor are you allowed to share using other methods -- e.g., social media -- comments linked to people’s identities unless you get a person’s permission. If you want to share general impressions or specifics of in-class discussions with those not in class, ask for permission first.

Academic Integrity

You are responsible for reading and abiding by the Northwestern University Principles Regarding Academic Integrity.

Make sure to document all of your work and acknowledge the ideas and work of others. Possible sanctions, as per the university guidelines, include reduced or failing grade, a defined period of probation or suspension, exclusion from the university and notation on the official record. You must not, in any way, misrepresent your work or be party to another student’s failure to maintain academic integrity. Do not ever copy other people’s words without quotation marks (do not do this even if you are "just" taking notes) and always use proper citation. Do not ever refer to other people’s work without attribution. DO NOT cheat, plagiarize or disregard the University Principles Regarding Academic Integrity in any way, it is NOT worth it! When in doubt, err on the side of giving more credit to the original source rather than less. Feel free to ask me (the instructor) for clarification about related matters.

Deadlines, Absences, etc.

Emergencies happen. Unanticipated obstacles arise. If you cannot make a deadline, please contact me to figure out a schedule that will work. If you must miss a class, contact me. You are responsible for obtaining class notes, handouts, assignments, etc. from fellow students in case of an absence.

An additional word about extensions and incompletes: In principle, I have no problem with extensions or incompletes. In practice, they tend to be a pain for everybody involved and I strongly discourage them. If you absolutely must submit an assignment late, assume that I will require at least 1 month (4 weeks) to grade it. Please take this into account if you will need me to to submit a grade in order to receive your fellowship/diploma/visa/etc. by a particular date.

Accommodations

I am totally happy to provide accommodations. Any student requesting accommodations related to a disability or other condition is required to register with AccessibleNU (847-467-5530) and provide professors with an accommodation notification from AccessibleNU, preferably within the first two weeks of class. All information will remain confidential. For more information, visit AccessibleNU.

Sexual Harasssment

All participants in this class are bound by the Northwestern University sexual harassment policy. Please note, that the core of the policy states, "no member of the Northwestern community may sexually harass any other member of the community." I take this very seriously. Please review the policy and speak to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Email protocol

I receive too much email and sometimes I fall behind. If, for some reason, I do not respond to your message within 48 hours, please do not take it personally and feel free to re-send the message. This will help me and I will not resent you for it as long as you're polite about it.