10.28.09
Posted in Job Market, Research at 6:40 pm by kknight
I have been quite busy so far this Fall!
In addition to the extensive amount of work entailed by the job market, I have been continuing work on my dissertation and have even published a new “research highlights” website.
A Matrix for Evaluating Viral Video is the digital companion piece to my second dissertation chapter, “Decoding the Viral: The Social Uses of Viral Video,” and is now online. This piece is a data set of quantitative and qualitative information about the most talked about Internet videos on September 24, 2009. On the site you will find an explanation of the types of data which I’ve captured, visualizations related to the work I am doing in chapter two, and sample visualizations that show information about the videos in relation to their purpose. Additionally, I’ve included links to the data set on the IBM Many Eyes site so that users may create their own visualizations.
My new research highlights website is intended to be a sort of visual/digital portfolio for the work I’ve done in my graduate career. I built it with .html and .css and had fun with the design. In fact, I am now in the process of updating my other research websites to that they all present a cohesive design strategy.
I encourage you to visit both sites!
Permalink
09.23.09
Posted in Job Market, Research at 12:41 am by kknight
2009 – 2010 promises to be an exciting year.
I was awarded the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship at UCSB, so I will have the luxury of spending the entire year focused on finishing my dissertation. In addition to dissertation work, I am currently preparing materials for the job market and working on a team that is re-designing the Department of English’s website.
And as if all of this weren’t enough, I’m also excited to be attending two conferences this Fall. The first is the Society for Literature, the Sciences, and the Arts’ annual conference in Atlanta, GA. The theme this year is “Decodings” and I will be presenting work from my second dissertation chapter on viral video. In late December I will travel to Philadelphia to attend the annual conference of the Modern Language Association.
This is conceivably my last year as a graduate student and I am really looking forward to all of the new experiences ahead!
Permalink
Posted in Research at 12:32 am by kknight
Somehow 2008-2009 came and went and I never did manage to update this site with my status.
In Fall 2008, I was most fortunate to be granted the Brython Davis Fellowship for a second time. I received an additional fellowship for Winter 2009 from the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center at UCSB. I used this time to continue work on the first chapter of my dissertation, Media Epidemics: Viral Structures in Literature and New Media. A portion of my first chapter, “Mutating Media: Transmission of the Ring Virus,” is available online.
During Spring quarter 2009 I returned to The Transliteracies Project in my former role as Project Coordinator. Transliteracies had a lot of very exciting developments take place during the Spring quarter and it was great fun to be back on the project. In addition to my work administering the project, I collaborated with my colleague Renee Hudson on a research paper entitled “Social Book Cataloging: Humanizing Databases,” which can be found on the Transliteracies site.
During Summer 2009 I continued work on my dissertation and began preparation for the job market. I was also heavily involved in a re-design of the Department of English’s website, which we hope will launch by the end of the year.
Permalink
08.07.07
Posted in Engl 10 MB 07 at 5:03 am by kknight
English 10 – Introduction to Literary Study
Literature and the Viral
Summer B 2007
Catalog No. 5181
Meets: MTWR 3:30 – 4:55, SH 1417
Instructor: Kim Knight, kknight08@gmail.com
Office Hours: T W 5pm – 6pm and by appointment, SH 2509
Course web site
Course wiki
Course website: Http://kimknight.com
Course wiki: Http://kimknight.com/engl10/m07/wiki
Course Description
English 10 is designed to introduce students to the principles of literary analysis and will include instruction in close reading, critical frameworks, and literary and theoretical terminology. In this particular version of English 10, our reading will center on the theme of “the viral.” Always anxiety-inducing, the viral takes many forms: from the “wet” viruses of HIV/AIDS to the “dry” viruses unleashed by computer hackers, to the viral as a metaphor for dissemination (as in “viral video”). We will explore the ways in which the viral functions in literature across the genres of poetry, prose, drama, and electronic literature. In these forms we will encounter viruses both as material subject and as metaphor and we will pursue the question of whether literature itself might be considered viral.
English 10 fulfills the second half of the GE Area A requirement and is required for all English majors and recommended for English minors. Anyone interested in pursuing the Literature and Culture of Information specialization may count this course toward the requirements of the specialization by substituting for the final paper a web project of equal depth and length.
Required Texts
(available at the UCSB bookstore, unless otherwise noted)
Hayles, N. Katherine. Writing Machines.
Hall, Donald E., ed. Literary and Cultural Theory.
Kunzru, Hari. Transmission.
Nakata, Hideo, dir. Ringu. To be screened in class.
Stoker, Bram. Dracula.
Course Reader available at Associated Students.
Various online readings.
Course Policies
Assignments
Schedule
Tools
Permalink
Posted in Tools at 5:02 am by kknight
English 10: Literature and the Viral
Summer B 2007
Wiki Project Grading Rubric
All wiki projects in English 10 will be evaluated along two axes: that of the written entries in the course wiki and that of the quality of the in-class presentation.
A- to A (Superior)
An “A” level project includes a well-written wiki entry that fulfills all of the required elements of the assignment. Glossary entries or articles on schools of criticism are well-organized, thorough, and stylistically effective. Additionally, the in-class component presents material in a way that is clear and engaging. The class is involved in the presentation and the presenters do not go significantly over or under the 15 – 20 minute time slot. All of the students in the group participate in the class presentation.
B- to B+ (Above Average)
A “B” level wiki project contains a wiki component that is written to the specifications outlined above. The in-class presentation may have slips or minor gaps in clarity, effectiveness, or time management.
C- to C+ (Average)
A “C” level wiki project may exhibit minor problems with the wiki component and/or issues in clarity, effectiveness, or time management of the presentation.
D- to D+ (Below Average)
A “D” level wiki project has a) substantial problems with the wiki component or presentation OR b) problems in both the wiki article and the in-class component.
F
Let’s just not go there.
Permalink
Posted in Tools at 4:59 am by kknight
English 10: Literature and the Viral
Summer B 2007
Final Paper Grading Rubric
The final paper in English 10 will be evaluated along two axes: that of the subject matter and that of the quality of writing. The subject matter is defined as the thesis and support. The quality of writing includes organization, style, formatting, etc.
A- to A (Superior)
An “A” level paper contains a thought-provoking thesis which is carefully supported using details from the text and outside research. This paper exhibits thinking that extends beyond class discussion and shows awareness of the wider context of the writer’s argument. Additionally, an “A” level paper is well-written. It is well-organized on both the paragraph and global levels and exhibits an attention to stylistic details such as title, tone, grammar/mechanics, word choice, etc. Finally, an “A” level paper is properly formatted according to MLA guidelines. If completing the web project, the internet component should be more than simply posting your paper online. You should use the medium of the Internet to help extend the concepts you’ve developed in your paper. Web projects should include multiple pages, multimedia components (pictures, music, etc.) and links, both internal and external.
B- to B+ (Above Average)
A “B” level paper attempts to engage with ideas that do not merely mimic class discussion. The argument is supported using textual details and outside research (if required). Additionally, a B level paper is well-written, according to the criteria outlined above. If completing a web project, the web component either extends the argument or enhances the credibility of the paper.
C- to C+ (Average)
A “C” level paper exhibits minor problems either in the subject matter or the quality of writing. For web projects, a C level project puts the paper online without utilizing the uniqueness of the web medium to extend the argument or enhance the writer’s credibility.
D- to D+ (Below Average)
A “D” level paper has a) substantial problems with the subject matter or writing OR b) problems in both the subject matter and quality of writing. For web projects, the web component is poorly organized, confusing, or detracts from the argument.
F
Let’s just not go there.
Permalink
08.05.07
Posted in Tools at 5:49 pm by kknight
There are many resources where one might find assistance with the Wiki Project.
The best place to begin is always with our own library’s offerings:
Other online resources include:
Of course, all research conducted on these sites must be cited according to MLA format, including proper use of quoting and paraphrasing.
Permalink
08.01.07
Posted in Course Policies at 4:36 am by kknight
Attendance
Much of the most valuable information will come out of our class discussions and your participation is necessary for our success. It is important that you come to every class prepared and on time. Because your presence in class is important, two or more absences will impact your final grade. In most circumstances, four absences will result in failure. Two instances of tardiness will equal one absence.
Cell phones are to be turned off and kept out of my sight. If your phone rings during class, or if I see you checking your messages during class, you will be marked absent. No exceptions.
Electronic Communications
Please be aware that I respond to most email messages within 24 hours Monday – Friday. If you send me an email and I do not respond during this time frame, chances are that I did not receive it. It is your responsibility to re-send the email or to contact me another way.
As we will undoubtedly discover in class, the finer points of online communication can be tricky. Emotions are difficult to express and read. Our many online assignments will require vigilance to ensure that we are always preserving an atmosphere of mutual respect. Disagreements may arise and consensus may not be possible. We can, however, respect each person’s right to an opinion. Name calling or menacing behavior will not be tolerated.
Academic Honesty
From the UCSB General Catalog: “Materials submitted to fulfill academic requirements must represent a student’s own efforts. Any act of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or other forms of cheating, is unacceptable and will be met with disciplinary action.” Plagiarism will result in a failing grade on the plagiarized assignment and possible disciplinary action by the university. We will review the proper way to use outside sources in order to avoid plagiarism; however, I encourage you to meet with me if you are at all uncertain about whether your writing could be misconstrued as plagiarism.
Permalink
Posted in Assignments at 4:35 am by kknight
Participation, including reading journals: 15%
Wiki project, ongoing due dates: 20%
Midterm Exam I, Aug 27: 20%
Midterm Exam II, Sept 13: 20%
Final Paper, 7 – 9 pages, due Sept 16 by 11:59 pm in the course wiki: 25%
Permalink