Texts and Technology in History
ENC 6801-W61
Dr. Saper, Professor
Module 2: History of Text Design Systems
Included in this module: Goals; Assignment; Due Dates; Links to Web-site; Assessments; and Grading Rubric. Read this entire module before starting the assignment or asking any questions about the assignment.
Goals:
Students learn about the history of text design systems or graphemes. They learn about a critical scholarly approach to the topic.
These goals correspond to the overall goals of the course: to learn about the history of texts and technology in .
Assignment:
Students will learn about the major historical modes of communication and cultural memory:
1. Read Drucker & McVarish.
2. Take notes [self-consciously thinking about note taking in terms of the history described in the textbook].
3. Make lists of dates, names, place names, details, and other historical information to fill-in your existing time-lines.
4. Make a list of technologies and historical events that have actually impacted your experience of literacy and those tools, technologies, and approaches to text production and graphic design that do not have any impact on your textual-world.
5. Look at your notes, find patterns, and add your own research.
6. Write a 1250 word essay that summarizes Drucker & McVarish’s argument. Place the argument in the context of Ong’s work.
7. Use information from the Drucker & McVarish assignment to fill-in areas of your charts and time-lines.
Due Dates:
Post your essay by Thursday, October 9, 2008. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions about the assignment and make revisions. No late projects accepted, no exceptions.
Where: Post the finished assignment to the blog, but post a draft to a discussion on the course site. Since everyone gets credit for helping (and you can help more than one of your peers each assignment) you will find someone to give you suggestions for improvement. If you cannot offer any suggestions, then you might want to consider an alternative to academia.
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Assessments:
Content: Do the materials include the following:
A. full name of author and helper(s)
C. at least 10 definitions, arguments, or stories learned from the Drucker & McVarish book (please do not plagiarize).
D. use Drucker & McVarish’s history to fill-in your charts and time-lines.
Form: Did the student include the following technical aspects?
A. correct grammar, style, and typographical care
B. student’s name
Grader will study the materials (including the design).
1. Does this material present a clear representation of the student's thinking about both Drucker & McVarish’s argument and sense of history?
2. Did the student have interesting insights about Drucker & McVarish?
3. Were the insights illuminated in the essay and visual charts and time-lines?
4. Are the materials interesting, unique, expressive, and informative?
Grading Rubric:
Passing Grade (in the D range): fulfilled number one in the assessment.
Adequate Grade (in the C range): fulfilled one and two in the assessment.
Good Grade (in the B range): fulfilled numbers one through three in the assessment.
Excellent Grade (in the A range): fulfilled all of the four criteria in the assessment.
