Introduction Computers and English Matt Barton

What is this course all about? This course is designed to introduce you to the field of Computers and Writing. Some of the key questions of this field are –What is the relationship between writing and the technology we use to produce it? –How can we use technology to teach writing more effectively? –How have computers and the internet changed what it means to be “literate?”

What are some of the issues we’ll address in this class? Our readings and discussions will concern a number of controversial issues of current interest to the field. Let’s briefly introduce a few of these issues now.

The Technology of Writing What technologies led to the development of what we now call writing? Do new writing technologies like word processors fundamentally alter what it means to be a writer? How is the electronic word different than the printed word?

The Future of Writing What is the future of writing and publishing? Is the book as we know it doomed to extinction? Will the internet lead to an “information overload?”

New Media What do “new media” have to offer writers, teachers, artists, and story-tellers? What kind of rhetoric is necessary for understanding new media? How are new media remediated by previous media?

Collaborative Technology How can writers use computers and the Internet to enhance collaboration? How can writers adapt the development strategies of the free software and open source community to writing and publishing? What will happen to the “authority” of authors in a digital age?

Teaching with Technology How can new tools and writing spaces like , websites, message boards, blogs, wikis, and content management systems enhance our teaching? How can we best prepare our students for careers that will increasingly demand knowledge and experience with advanced computing technology?

Copyright Laws Will online technologies like peer-to-peer networking force a fundamental change in copyright law? Should we treat people who share copyrighted materials as “pirates?” Why would writers choose to license their work with a Creative Commons or GNU Public License instead of full-blown copyright?

Becoming a Hacker One goal of this course is to promote good hacking and becoming hackers ourselves! However, we won’t be using the term “hacker” to refer to criminals! Instead, we’ll use Eric Raymond’s definition of the term:

Hacking: Defined Hacker. –1. A person who enjoys exploring the details of programmable systems and how to stretch their capabilities, as opposed to most users, who prefer to learn only the minimum necessary. –6. An expert or enthusiast of any kind. One might be an astronomy hacker, for example. –7. One who enjoys the intellectual challenge of creatively overcoming or circumventing limitations. –8. [deprecated] A malicious meddler who tries to discover sensitive information by poking around. Hence `password hacker', `network hacker'. The correct term for this sense is cracker.

Five Hacking Principles Steven Levy, author of Hackers, identifies five principles of good hacking: –Access to computers—and anything which might teach you something about the way the world works—should be unlimited and total. Always yield to the Hands-On Imperative! (27) –All information should be free. (27) –Mistrust Authority—Promote Decentralization. (28) –Hackers should be judged by their hacking, not bogus criteria such as degrees, age, race, or position. (30) –You can create art and beauty on a computer. (30)

The Books I’ve selected five texts that will provide you with significant insight into the field of computers and composition and new media.

Writing Space Bolter’s work contextualizes new writing spaces in history, showing how both the technology and concept of writing has developed over the centuries.

Language of New Media Manovich’s work is an attempt to introduce a theory for understanding new media. Manovich is particularly interested in the connections between new media and cinema.

Everything Bad is Good For You Johnson’s book is a defense of mass entertainment and pop culture. The technologies that people criticize today (TV, videogames, etc.) are making us smarter!

Videogames and Literacy Gee’s work identifies 36 learning principles at work in videogames. Videogames are potentially the most valuable instructional tools ever created.

Free Culture Lessig’s book is a bold critique of “intellectual property law” and its abuse my major corporations. The main idea that these laws are causing cultural deprivation and stunting intellectual development.

Your Responsibilities Read the texts and come to class prepared to discuss them –You will need to sign up as a discussion leader for at least one session. Respond to blog prompts and forum topics as directed. Contribute to the development of a free composition wikitext.

Now…It’s your turn! Take a minute and write down a question or two you can think of concerning the class, subject matter, and your responsibilities.