DAYS:  W 4:40-7:30
CREDITS:  3
LINE NUMBER:  99858
ROOM:  LL149

Peter Goggin
OFFICE:  LL 308B
OFFICE HOURS:  Tues. 11:00-noon & 1:45-2:45 Wed. noon-2:00 (and by appointment)
PHONE EXTENSION: 965-7748
E-MAIL:  goggin1@asu.edu
COURSE CALENDAR: http://www.public.asu.edu/~petergo/courses/eng655/assignmentsSP06.html

TEXTBOOKS:

• Freebody, P., Muspratt, S., & Dwyer, B. (Eds.). (2001) Difference, silence, and textual practice: Studies in critical literacy . Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
• Kalathil, S., & Boas, T. C. (2003). Open networks, closed regimes: The impact of the Internet on authoritarian rule . Washington: Carnegie Endowment of International Peace.
• Kress, G. (2003). Literacy in the new media age. London: Routledge.
• McLuhan, M. (1996) Understanding media: The extensions of man . Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.
• Selfe, C. L. (1999). Technology and literacy in the twenty-first century: The importance of paying attention . Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.
• Trimbur, J. (Ed.). (2001). Popular literacy: Studies in cultural practices and poetics. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
While many current studies in literacy theory and research have emphasized the need to study literacies in their local contexts, the dominant ideologies of literacy are still those that are defined and determined by the politics, policies, and mandates of powerful and influential social structures and interests of governments, education systems, and corporations. This course will provide an opportunity to explore some of the "big" literacies and discourses of technology and power that impact the public and society in a number of important arenas, such as the environment, schooling, local culture, health, information media, and so forth. The course flyer illustrates the McLuhanesque concept of the "extensions of man" representing the dynamic flows and interconnections of networked activities, organizational structures, and literate practices. Organizations, and literacies, themselves are embedded within the values and assumptions of individuals, institutions, and academic specialization, and systems of real and imagined power. In this course, we will use activity theory to examine some of these structures, institutions, and systems that constitute a "big picture" of literacy and technology in/as context.

REQUIREMENTS: (Detailed descriptions of the following required assignments will be distributed)
 •  seminar paper (including proposal, and oral presentation)
 •  in-class literacy colloquium (group project)
 •  weekly reader response
 •  online forum
 •  participation and attendance

ASSIGNMENT DEADLINES:
 Seminar Paper Proposal   Feb. 22
 Oral presentation  Apr. 19 & 26
 Seminar paper  Apr 26

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
  Mar 12-19 Spring Break
  Mar 23-31 Pre-Registration
  Apr 2 Last day course withdrawal

COLLOQUIUM & FORUM PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE: Because so much of what is to be learned in this course occurs in class, regular attendance is expected. The course is so constructed that even a few absences will create serious problems. Be prepared each class to offer comments and pose questions on the day’s assigned readings. You will also lead a class presentations on an article selected from Difference, Silence, and Textual Practice, and participate in a weekly online forum.

GRADES
 •  Seminar paper - 40%
 •  Weekly Reader Response - 25%
 •  Colloquium, participation & attendance, and online forum- 20%
 •  Proposal - 10%
 •  Oral presentation - 5%

ASSIGNMENTS: Papers not turned in on the due date will be marked down a letter grade for each week the paper is late.

INCOMPLETES: Please do not assume that an incomplete will be given upon request.  University and departmental policy on the handling of incompletes will be followed; only in the case of verified emergencies and illnesses will an incomplete be given.