2014-15 Schedule & Readings

Current session

Thursday, 29 May 2014, 3:30-5:30pm, Rosemarie’s Room, E103

Introductions, brainstorming, goals of the seminar, introducing website, distribute readings for September.

Thursday, 18 September, 3:30-5:30pm, Rosemarie’s Room, E103

Discussion of readings and blog postings; connecting themes to our courses; preparing for Portwood-Stacer’s visit.

Focus: tethering, addiction, disconnection

Due: Turkle (at least introduction and chapter 8; part II or whole book recommended!) and blog post.

Thursday 9 October, 3-6pm, E255 and E500

Meet with Portwood-Stacer and hear her presentation; discussion

Focus: social media refusal

Due: Readings (Portwood-Stacer) and blog post.

Thursday 20 November, 3:30-5:30pm , E255

Discussion of readings and possible course applications.

Focus: Robotics

Due: Readings (Chapter 3 in Alone Together, Grau, and Wells) and blog post

Thursday 11 December, 3:30-5:30pm, E255

Discussion of course/class applications, introduce additional readings

Focus: Historical context; “Breaking Loose Or Facing the Conundrum?”

Notes here (please feel free to add your thoughts/questions)

Due: Readings (Behrent [first 15 pages], Kasson [pages: 189-199, 201-202, 205-215, & 230-233], and short video) and blog post

Winter Institute: Friday 20 February, 2015, 10am-1pm, E501

Small cross-disciplinary groups, share and refine curricula revisions, introduction of new focus/readings for Spring 2015, brief assessment, review seminar goals

Focus: Curricula applications

Due: Develop your assignment, course theme, or syllabus for Winter Institute, additional readings.

Please complete this short feedback form

Thursday 19 March 2015, 3:30-5:30pm, E255

Discussion of readings and blog postings; connecting themes to our courses.

Focus: Constructions of online identities

Due: Readings by Bernstein and Cucu (assigned by Habiba, Sorin, and Chris).
Optional reading by Luhmann.

Notes here (please feel free to add your thoughts/questions)

Thursday 16 April 2015, 3:30-5:30pm, E501

Discussion of readings and blog postings; connecting themes to our courses; preparing for Nakamura’s visit.

Focus: Racial identities and the internet

Due: Reading (Nakamura, McIntosh, and Senft and Noble; assigned by Bethany, Mara, and Hugo)

Notes here (please feel free to add your thoughts/questions)

Friday 1 May 2015, 10:30-2pm, E242 >>>room changed to E500 and E255

Meet with Nakamura and hear her presentation;

* Presenter: Lisa Nakamura, University of Michigan
* Date/time: Friday 1st May, 10:30-11:30 am; lunch and discussion will follow until 2pm
* Title: “Racism, Sexism, and Gaming’s Cruel Optimism.”
* Description: In 2014 video game culture was rocked by a major scandal–Gamergate–that highlighted its problems with sexism and racism. Women and players of color must negotiate intense and sometimes-painful attachments to a dream of equality and respect earned through “good play” both within and without games. This paper will analyze social justice strategies for addressing racism and sexism within gaming culture.

Recommended Gamergate readings: A man in black, Coleman (chapter pdf), Consalvo, & Wu.

Discussion of readings and possible course applications, reflection, assessment.
Notes here (please feel free to add your thoughts/questions)

Thursday 14 May 2015, 3:30-5:30pm, E255

Friday 19 June 2015, 10-2pm – in classroom (E258) and lab (E259)

Activities: Reports and presentations; blog post; meeting new cohort and lunch.

Due BEFORE June 19:
– Please upload any artifacts (syllabi, assignments, etc.) in your Dropbox folder.
– Please complete this short feedback form before June 19.