02.11.08

2007 - 2008 at UCSB

Posted in Uncategorized at 5:42 pm by kknight

I have had a few inquiries wondering whether I am still at UCSB since my last listed course was in Summer 2007.

I am happy to report that I am, indeed, still here and working away.

In the Fall quarter I was fortunate enough to be granted the Brython Davis Fellowship. During this time frame I passed my second qualifying exam as well as my French translation exam. All of this means that I am now a PhD Candidate. There is one major requirement left and it is a big one - the dissertation.

I am not quite ready to talk about my research in a public forum, but I can give you an update on my other work for the year. For the Winter and Spring 2008 terms, I am quite pleased to be acting as the Project Coordinator for the The Transliteracies Project: Research in the Technological, Social, and Cultural Practices of Online Reading. My work with Transliteracies ranges from assisting the various working groups to adding to the ever-expanding archive of information housed by the project.

In addition to my work with Transliteracies, I am writing my first chapter and sitting on a few conference planning committees. The first of which is a graduate symposium on the legacy of Jean Baudrillard. More information about the symposium can be found here.

The next few months are pivotal to both completing my first chapter and lining up opportunities for next year. I will keep you posted on what 2008 - 2009 may bring.

Permalink Comments off

08.07.07

English 10: Literature and the Viral

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 Comments off

Wiki Project Grading Rubric

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 Comments off

Paper Grading Rubric

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 Comments off

08.05.07

Resources for Wiki Projects

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:

Search the Pegasus catalog under the subject headings “literature - terminology” or “criticism - terminology”
UCSB Library Help by Subject: English Language and Literature
Oxford Reference Online

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 Comments off

08.01.07

Course Policies

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 Comments off

Assignments: Grading Breakdown

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 Comments off

Participation

Posted in Assignments at 4:34 am by kknight

Participation

To participate in a course means that you consistently come to class prepared and contribute to class discussions . To be “prepared” means that you have thoughtfully engaged with the reading, completed the reading journal, are willing to participate in discussion, and that you are equipped with the necessary supplies (books, paper, writing instruments, etc.)

Participation grades will be divided into two halves, one for each half of the term. These will be averaged at the end of the quarter to determine your final participation grade.

Permalink Comments off

Reading Journals

Posted in Assignments at 4:31 am by kknight

Reading Journals, due daily

Every student will be required to maintain a reading journal in the course wiki. The journal is for you to record impressions of, responses to, and reflections on assigned literary works (note that the purpose of the journal is not to summarize the reading). Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink Comments off

Wiki Project

Posted in Assignments at 4:30 am by kknight

Wiki Project, ongoing due dates

The wiki project consists of two components: a detailed entry (or entries) in the course wiki and an in-class presentation. The subject of each wiki project will be either a set of literary terms related to the week’s genre or a school of literary criticism. Depending upon the number of students enrolled in the section, these may be individual or group assignments. Read the rest of this entry »

Permalink Comments off

kimknight.com

02.11.08

2007 - 2008 at UCSB

08.07.07

English 10: Literature and the Viral

Wiki Project Grading Rubric

Paper Grading Rubric

08.05.07

Resources for Wiki Projects

08.01.07

Course Policies

Assignments: Grading Breakdown

Participation

Reading Journals

Wiki Project

Pages

Archives

Categories

Search

Classes I\'m Taking

Projects

Recommended Reading

UCSB Links

Meta