This course requires you prepare and submit two types of assignments: papers and online discussions.

1. Reality & Identity

You can write a response to any of the texts we read from Chapters 1 & 2 of the CyberReader. Taking an idea that intrigues you, you will develop a strong, thesis-driven and well-researched response to a specific issue from the readings. The goal of the assignment is to engage in a thoughtful manner with controversial aspects of virtual reality and identity. The formal requirements include at least three sources to support your positions and a recommended length for the paper of 4-6 pages.
DUE: October 6th, noon.

2. Character Sketch

For your second paper, you will sign up to research one of the authors represented in the CyberReader. You will learn not only biographical information about the author of your choice, but also read some of their other writings to grasp where they stand on many of the topics we discuss in class. Based on all your research, you will develop a detailed character description. This paper should be 4-6 pages long and needs to utilize sources.
DUE: November 8th, noon.

3. Technology & Culture

After everyone has researched and developed a character during the previous unit, we will take those characters online and have a whole unit of role-playing in the form of online discussions. The characters will be grouped thematically in several discussion groups. Each group will be reading current online articles related to their overall theme. The goal of the online discussion is to engage the issues by producing at least one 500-word post and two 100-word responses to your classmates' posts every week throughout the unit, as well as to project an identity online different from your own. Staying in character will be almost as important as the substance of your posts.
DUE: by Friday weekly throughout unit.

Forum Responses

Throughout the semester, I will post reading questions in our online forums. You will be expected to respond to each question by noon before class. Our in-class work will reflect what has been said online and we will use the forum responses as a starting point for our discussions and activities. Each response will be expected to represent a substantial paragraph of about 100 words.
DUE: at noon before each class.