Required Texts:

• Wallace, Patricia. (1999). The Psychology of the Internet. Cambridge University Press. (ISBN: 0521797098)
• Interdisciplinary Themes. McGraw Hill special print reader. (ISBN: 0390580678)
• American Studies 475 reader (available through the Bookie).

This course provides an introduction to critical issues in the study of "cyberculture." We will examine Cyberspace by looking at both the World Wide Web and the Internet. Key points of consideration will be the manner in which identities are portrayed in cyberspace with an emphasis on racial and gender based identities. The primary objectives include examining how cyberspace is used to express identity, exploring the relationship between Cyberculture and American culture and to recognize major trends (or patterns) in the depiction of social groups (particularly racial groups and gender divisions) as become a place to negotiate identity. By the end of the course the student should be able to distinguish and explain in their own words the difference between Cyberspace, Cyberculture, the internet and the World Wide Web and critically review the manner in which an individual portrays themselves or is portrayed in cyberspace.

When this course is finished you should be able to:

• Distinguish the differences between Cyberspace, Cyberculture, the internet and the World Wide Web.
• Explain how cyberspace is used to express identities.
• Critically consider the relationship between Cyberculture and American culture.
• Critically review and identify major trends (or patterns) in the depiction of social groups (particularly racial groups or gender divisions) on the web.
• Explain how individuals are using cyberspace to negotiate identities.

The following table provides a concise outline of the course topics and requirements by week. Complete details for all requirements are provided in the Lessons located in the Learning Modules on the left of the screen. For specific dates associated with each week, please refer to the Course Schedule in the Learning Modules.

Assignments:

This course is organized into 3 Units. Each unit is divided into 3 or 4 sections. For each section, there is a discussion question that you are asked to post an answer to in the course discussion area assigned for that unit. Following your post you will need to respond to at least one of your peers posts. Based on your participation in this activity you will receive up to 20 points per unit. This will be simply a participation grade and will be assigned with the next graded essay assignment.

However to do well with your participation portion of this course you should consider the section question in a critical manner using citations to support your position for both your original post and your response post to a peer. I agree or I disagree and only citing personal experience will get you credit for the post but it will not get you a high participation grade.

With the exception of an orientation quiz the first week of classes which is worth 10 points and a group assignment (that will be discussed later) your course work will come in the form of critical thinking essays worth 15 to 20 points each. Please note that your final exam will consist of three 20 point essays for total of 60 points. All essays are to be considered cumulative. This is especially true for your final exam. Specific essay questions will be available approximately one week before the essay is due. These questions will be similar in topic to the participation discussion questions that you have covered in that unit. Feel free to use your own discussion posts as part of you essays were it is appropriate to do so. When preparing your essays you should focus on forming a logically well thought out position citing the course text. It is important when citing the text to refer to the reading code and page number: for example if were citing text on page 31 of The Psychology of the Internet text, the citation would be PI: 31.

You are allowed to use anything that you write as part of the course discussion in your essay where it is appropriate to do so.

Unit 3 Section 1 consists of a group project, this project will be worth a total of 35 points. 15 points will be based on your personal participation within the group, and 20 points will be based on a paper which discusses the group project in relation to the course material and your personal reflection on the two. Please note: Even though this is a group project you are graded solely on your own work or participation.

The final exam consists of 3 final essays and is worth 60 points. To receive full credit for the final exam you must complete all final essays.

LATE POLICY: The late policy for this class is very strict. Each assignment is expected to be turned in on time. There is no grace period. For each day the assignment is late 2 points will be subtracted from your final score. This will continue until the assignment is worthless. Thus a 20 point assignment will be with 0 points in 10 days. The only exceptions to this late policy are cases where you can provide outside verification for your absence in writing (e.g. A doctors note that you were in the hospital, or the program from the funeral of a relative). Other than such cases the late policy as described above applies and there is no point in asking for an exception to the rule. This policy applies to all materials that is to be placed in the assignment drop box (i.e. all essays and your characteristics/preference post for the group project.) It does not apply to your participation post (i.e. Your posts in the discussion section regarding the section questions, and your response post). Your participation posts are do the week you are to review the material. There is no set date for this material other than it must be done within that calendar week. Failure to get these materials in by Saturday morning of that calendar week can be considered failure to actively participate and may affect your participation grade.

Course Work	Points
Orientation Quiz	10
Unit Participation	60
Unit 1 Essay	15
Unit 2 Essay	20
Group Project	35
Final Exam (3 final essays @ 20 points)	60
TOTALS	200

Incompletes are granted only with permission of the instructor and are subject to the following guidelines:

1. Students must request an incomplete in writing or by e-mail from the instructor before the end of the semester.
2. The request must be signed and dated by the student (or identified by student's e-mail address), and must explain the reasons behind the request for the incomplete.
3. In order to be considered for an incomplete, there are two main conditions:
   
   • a student must complete at least 75% of the course work.
   • a student must have a mathematical possibility of passing the class. A passing grade is 60 percent or above for the entire course.
4. If extraordinary circumstances (e.g., family emergency, serious illness) are involved and are documented to the instructor’s satisfaction, the professor/ instructor retains the discretion to grant an incomplete even if the minimum conditions outlined above are not met.

If an incomplete is granted, the standard WSU policy applies (i.e., ALL work must be completed within one full year from the end of the enrollment semester at issue. Otherwise, an automatic grade of "F," or failing, will be entered on the student’s transcript).