Instructor: Dr. W. Brett McKenzie  Office: GHH317  Email address: wbteach@g.rwu.edu Web Site: wbteach.com/classes

Office phone number: 401-254-3534 Cell/Text: 401 626-0806

Course Lecture Hours Thursday, 10:55 AM - 1:45 PM Location: Synchronous Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 914 8525 9932 Passcode: 472916

Office Hours: Mon: 10:00 - 11:00 AM Tues: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Thur:  2:00 - 3:00 PM Or by appointment

Course Description:
The Internet has been leading to profound changes in many areas of society. In this seminar, students from different disciplines come together to discuss some of these changes. They include changes in arts, science, education, culture, privacy, crime, national security, the economy, and politics.
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Course Outcomes (RWU Core Committee)

• Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate significant  ideas from across the arts and sciences
• Create an artifact that communicates and defends the student’s original ideas based on synthesis of the course topic and his/her interdisciplinary Core Education.

Texts and Other Materials

• Course materials include academic papers, articles from popular press, audio tracks, and videos. The materials are free and available online.
• The course website is at  wbteach.com/classes
  
• Required Text:
  

  	el Kaliouby, Rana Girl Decoded Currently only in hardback - paperback expected in early spring. Electronic and audio editions available, Any format acceptable
  	Janelle Monáe Dirty Computer Atlantic Records (available on all streaming services)

Course Requirements
There are five requirements for the class, based on University Core Curriculum Committee Guidelines:

1. Reading & Weekly summaries and quizzes
1. Read/listen/watch weekly assigned materials/video;
2. Write a weekly summary of about 100 words of the reading. If there is no prompt, the summary should include two observations and two questions and be submitted no later than Tuesday midnight before class.
3. Finish weekly online quizzes about the class materials before class;
2. Leading a class for discussion
1. prepare to lead the class discussion on an aspect of the chosen topics with 1 or 2 partners;
2. research and find one text on your selected topic for your classmates to read/listen/watch.
   
3. meet and discuss with the instructor before the scheduled discussion
   
4. submit final version of the presentation, if any, to the instructor before class;
5. lead class discussions;
3. Close textual reading
1. Read section from el Kaliouby, Girl Decoded
   
2. Lead discussion in section from Girl Decoded
3. Listen, respond, and lead discussion of selection from Dirty Computer
   
4.  Research project
   
1. conduct scholarly research, preferably on the topic of your class presentation, with a team of two or three
2. use a means of expression to create a project - there are two parts:
1. Product - the expression of your project
   
2. Paper - contextualizing the product in the class environment
   
3. present the project to class;
5. participation
1. attend classes 
   
2. actively participate discussions
3. complete online blog and forum assignments.
   

Attendance Policy
You are expected to attend class. If you cannot attend class. contact me via e-mail (wmckenzie@rwu.edu)  or phone (401-254-3534). Note: There maybe additional events outside class for which attendance may be taken. Be aware that these events are equivalent to an assignment or class attendance - students with legitimate excuses will have an alternate assignment.

Late Assignments/Missed Exams
Without prior arrangement or a documented emergency, missed assignments and exams will be made up at the instructor's discretion.

Academic Integrity
Review: http://rwu.edu/academics/academic-affairs/academic-standards
 
Electronic Communications
All students are required to have internet access and use the internet to post their materials. Students are also expect to read their RWU email accounts. This is the prime means of communicating with students. When you send the instructor email (Wbteach@g.rwu.edu), please put “CORE456: " + topic on the subject line. I will try to respond within 48 hours.  If you text me, please include your name, as your number is not likely to be in my addressbook.
 
Academic Integrity
The academic integrity policy of university will be strictly followed.

Grading

Component	Weight
Reading and Quizzes	10
Summaries	10
Presentation of class materials and leading class discussion	20 (10 preparation; 10 discussion)
Close textual analysis	10
Research Project (Product and Paper)	40
Participation	10

Access for Students

The University has a continuing commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The need for accommodations and the process for arranging them may be altered by the impact of COVID-19 and the safety protocols currently in place that we all must follow. We also recognize that we may have students with medical conditions who weren’t previously registered with SAS, who should be encouraged to register to receive appropriate accommodations. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in order to fully participate in this class are urged to contact Student Accessibility Services, as soon as possible, to explore the arrangements needed to be made to assure access. During the fall 2020 semester, the Student Accessibility Services office can be reached at sas@rwu.edu and 401-254-3841. SAS is open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. For more information about SAS, visit https://www.rwu.edu/undergraduate/academics/student-academic-success/student-accessibility-services-sas 

Tentative Schedule:

Week	Topics	Dates
I	Class Introduction - Brink of the Revolution	04 Feb
II	What is the Internet? What is its history?	11 Feb
III	Audio & Imaging	18 feb
IV	Economy	25 Feb
V	Project Proposals	04 Mar
VI	Communication	11 Mar
VII	Science + Education	18 Mar
VIII	Security - Crime and National Security	25 Mar
IX	Gaming & AI	01 Mar
X	Girl Decoded	08 Apr
XI	Girl Decoded	15 Apr
XII	Girl Decoded + Project Proposal Final -	22 Apr
XIII	Presentation Practice	29 Apr
XIV	Final Presentations	06 May
XV	Final Exam Period *	13 May If required
* this date may change