Beardsley

This course will introduce you to the ways that media has been studied in the field of rhetoric, composition, and literacy. We will discuss what new media is, focus on the evolution of communication technologies, and examine the cultural, social, and pedagogical impacts of our mediated world. Each week explores a theme relevant to new media studies and its connections to the field more broadly. Weekly themes include multimodal composition, digital rhetoric, and video games. Through readings and production practice—low-stakes assignments that ask you to play with composing techniques and technologies—you’ll develop an understanding of how to study and create with new media.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the ways new media have been studied in rhetoric, composition, and literacy
• Develop nuanced understandings of new media and its importance in history and contemporary society, culture, and politics
• Analyze and evaluate ideas, arguments, and interpretations
• Develop advanced skills in writing and presenting
• Compare and evaluate approaches, theories, and methods that relate to the study and understanding of new media
• Engage in an interdisciplinary conversation about composing, communication technologies, and new media

Course Texts & Required Materials

Texts

You probably noticed that there aren’t any books required for purchase. That’s because many of the books we’ll read are open-access. The rest of the materials are either hosted on websites or provided via PDF; however, you might decide you need access to an entire text for your final project or that you need to read a related book. Our course relies heavily on independent research, and you’ll need to plan to utilize the library to request sources.

The Texts and Tools WO page provides additional resources to help you begin your research. Materials will be added throughout the semester.

Required Materials

• Discord
• Canva or your favortie resource for creating slides
• hypothes.is

View the complete syllabus for course policies.