Goal: To practice skills reading new media texts by producing a reading of the Cyborg Manifesto spoof.

Assignment: In 1-2 pages, make an argument about the Cyborg Manifesto spoof that is supported by a reading of its new media elements. For example, you could argue that the manifesto undercuts its argument for technicity through its design and then focus on its use of the color green, a very organic color. You could also use concepts from Haraway, arguing that the design implements/fights the informatics of domination. What's key in this assignment is that 1)you make some sort of argument about the piece and 2)you read something beyond the text to support your argument.

Grading: Grades will be of the "check-plus," "check," "check-minus" variety, contributing to 20% of your final grade. Papers will be graded on the presence of an argument and a movement towards reading new media.

Goal: To practice skills using the critical concepts we have developed so far.

Assignment: In 1-3 pages, make an argument about a Web site of your choosing, or a new media work, piece of technology, or software, using the critical concepts we have developed so far. If using an online work, insert a screen capture (hit "Print Screen" key on keyboard, paste into Word) or an URL. For example, you might argue that Microsoft's Web site shows Haraway's informatics of domination. You should have an argument, and you should support that argument by referencing the work being read as well as using quotations from the critical piece we examined in class. What's key in this assignment, then, is that 1)you make an argument about the site/tech/software you've chosen and 2)you work with one of the critical texts we've examined.

Grading: Grades will be of the "check-plus," "check," "check-minus" variety, contributing to 20% of your final grade. Papers will be graded on the presence of an argument and application of critical concept, including appropriate use of quotation.

Goal: To reflect on the literature we've read so far.

Assignment: In 1-3 pages, make a small, focused argument about one of the novels we've read. 1-3 pages, of course, is not a lot of space to make an argument, so you want to focus in one something very small--a passage, a name, a moment in the text--and perform a "close reading" of it. You may choose to use one of the critical concepts from the semester, but that's not required; an argument and work with text is.

Grading: Grades will be of the "check-plus," "check," "check-minus" variety, contributing to 20% of your final grade. Papers will be graded on the presence of an argument and engagement with the text.

Goal: To develop a sustained academic argument about the literature we have been reading.

Assignment: Write a 4-6 page paper that engages the issues of the class. You're welcome to write on anything you'd like; however, the paper must have a focused argument and must work closely with texts from the class. This is your classic English paper: an argument about the text supported with textual evidence.

Grading: Letter grades worth 30% of your final grade. Papers will be graded based on criteria developed with the class (someone remind me to do this, OK? Or I'll have to make it up myself).

Goal: To add to the miniscule, incipient body of knowledge about cyberliterature, or to participate in new and emerging forms of new media writing.

Assignment: Write a 7-10 page paper that engages the issues of the class. Alternatively, propose a new media or hypertextual project that engages the issues of the class; however you must have such a project approved by me in advance.

Papers and projects can be on anything; however, they must:

• Engage some of the issues raised by the class, ideally through reference to at least one of the class texts. If your paper does not work with class texts, I strongly recommend you speak to me.
• Papers must have a clear argument: that is, they must have a significant point to make, and one that adds to the body of knowledge about this emerging literature. For example, imagine that someone wanted to do a paper comparing video games to books. That's not really an argument. You can say, "Look, they're similar" but so what? Avoid any sort of compare and contrast.
• Papers must support their arguments with clear and careful work with texts. That means, in traditional terms, close readings of quotations or objects.
• New Media/Web-based projects must be approved by me and must be accompanied by a 2-3 page analysis of the work that uses critical concepts from the class (see me for details).

Grading: Letter grades worth 40% of your final grade. Papers will be graded based on criteria developed with the class (someone remind me to do this, OK? Or I'll have to make it up myself); new media projects will be graded based on separate criteria.