teaching: undergraduate: COM 482
Reading
The textbook
There is one required textbook available through the University Bookstore or through Amazon.
Thurlow, C., Lengel, L. & Tomic, A. (2004). Computer Mediated Communication: Social Interaction and the Internet. London: Sage.
One reason why you will find it easier to work through COM 482 is that the course is closely linked with this textbook. So, as we work our way through the material covered in the lecture schedule (see link left), you will not only be expected to keep up with the reading, you will find things much clearer if you do. You will need to have worked through the relevant textbook chapters in order to succeed in the exam.
This book has also been deliberately written to have a friendly, easy-access tone; however, don't be deceived by this. There is a lot of material to work through and much of it will require you to read carefully and learn some quite complicated concepts and theories. Of course, the really hard stuff will be dealt with in lectures too.
Individual portfolio: Task 1
In this article for New Media & Society, Professor Susan Herring compares what she calls the 'communication ecology' (p. 30) of 'THEN' (pp. 27-28) and 'NOW' (pp. 29-31). Your task is to give a summary of all the key technologies (e.g. email) and trends (e.g. text-based interaction) she identifies in each of these two sections. You do not have to give lots of detail - just show that you know which technologies and which trends characterize both periods. Finally, return to her 'INTRODUCTION' (pp. 26-27) - what is the *main* point Professor Herring is making here?
Please note: Your summary shouldn't be more than 250 words. It must be submitted as part of your Individual Portfolio - this is Task 1.
Other stuff
In terms of the ideas covered in class, have a look at Vodaphone's Vision of the Future - what sort of vision is it? why is it in their interests to present such a vision?