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toc =Writing and Rhetoric in the Digital Age=

In this course, students tackle the challenges of new media head-on by examining the effect of electronic discourse on us and on our culture. Course readings are drawn from popular and academic sources, and we collectively investigate a variety of issues relevant to the study of digital culture and modern society at large. Throughout our investigation of topics ranging from politics, culture, film, the arts, economics, and technology, we return to one central question: what does it mean to write persuasively in an electronic age? While this course assumes no technical expertise on the part of the students, it does anticipate that all class members are ready to experiment with writing expressively, persuasively, and purposefully in an electronic medium. As part of their own practical exploration and application of this new digital form of rhetoric, students experiment with different forms of electronic discourse, inside and outside the classroom; they contribute regularly to an online journal/magazine and maintain an online portfolio; they keep a student blog; they develop effective writing strategies for producing powerful electronic arguments; they participate in an online community experiment. In addition, throughout the trimester, students reflect on their experiences with digital culture, both through a series of oral multimedia presentations and a final research-based culminating piece or composition.

Getting Started

 * This wiki is where the entire syllabus and resource section for students taking Writing and Rhetoric in the Digital Age.
 * The discussion forum will be used as part of our regular assignments.
 * The History Tab will show you what pages have been recently updated and by whom.

How to Reach Me

 * OFFICE: Dexter Hall North
 * OFFICE PHONE: 508-754-5302 ext. 196
 * E-MAIL ADDRESS: Antonio.viva@worcesteracademy.org
 * TWITTER: http://twitter.com/antonioviva
 * PERSONAL BLOG: http://antonioviva.com

Important Web Links You Need to Know

 * WA MicroMash: [] (Remember to use the hashtag #WAMASH
 * WA Mash (The Worcester Academy Mashup) []
 * Mash Login Page http://wamash.antonioviva.com/wp-login.php
 * WA MashTube (The YouTube Channel) []
 * WA Facebook Mash (The Facebook Page) []

Course Outline

 * Week 1 - Introduction, What is Web 2.0? How is this different? Defining writing and rhetoric in the age of YouTube and Facebook,
 * Week 2 - Publishing to a diverse global audience, copyright, Creative Commons, formatting and layout.
 * Week 3 - Exploring expression and persuasion in a wikipedia world, the changing culture and digital revolution
 * Week 4 - Visual Expression and Communication, Zen and the Art of Presentation
 * Week 5 - Media Remix and Convergence
 * Week 6 - Film, Media and Culture
 * Week 7 - Visual Rhetoric
 * Week 8 - Video Essays
 * Week 9 - Projects
 * Week 10 - Projects