Deadlines and Assignments

Dan Ariely’s Predictably Irrational has a nice experiment about setting deadlines (see above).

View this then tell me how you would like the assignments in this class assigned at this Doodle poll.

Attendance: This is a seminar. Your participation is key to your success and to the success of the class. It’s difficult to participate if you aren’t in class — not impossible, so I will entertain alternative methods of attendance — but not unexcused absences.

Notes on Assignments - First Class

I’ve added a wiki page for our class with links to 8 video hosting services. Feel free to evaluate them and to add to the list. Registration is required but simple.

Semester Project - video critique of a social network or virtual community

Prepare a 7 to 15 minute video that critiques and evaluates a virtual community or social network of your choice. Be sure to apply and to refer to what you have learned from the viewings and discussions in this class.

Step 1: Select a community or network (due September 30)

About these videos, here are some initial suggestions based on some that helped folks last year (they did blog based presentations, not videos):
# choose a virtual community or social network
# who is in the community? why?
# describe the community in terms we’ve used in the class (relate to viewings where appropriate)
# evaluate the community’s potentials and inherent conflicts and resolutions
# does the community develop trust? how? is it an example of citizen journalism? of participatory culture? how?
# are there hierarchies in place? who are those who make community of readers and participants? is the social network measurable?
# how does this site reuse or converge with popular culture? Does allow for sociability or block social interactions?
# are there systems for sanctions and/or rewards in place? do they work?

Additional discussion of the final project

Dec 17 - Absolutely totally complete projects due by 5 pm!