Course description
The course will be divided into three units, each one looking at different ways the body has been deployed as a rhetorical strategy for establishing identity.
• The first unit will look at the body as a rhetorical space. We will read several essays on body theory and begin to think about how the body is deployed to make arguments. How is the body defined? How are these definitions established? How do they influence our thinking about the body/identity?
• The second unit will further investigate the “text” of the flesh. By looking at tattoos, scarification, and even plastic surgery, we will consider how identity can be “written” on the body, and even the possibilities for the individual to “revise” that text.
• The last unit will take into consideration how our relationship with modern technology might challenge or further our somatic identifications. From Facebook to Second Life to the iPhone, technology seems more and more integrated into our lives and even our identities. How does our intimate relationship with technology affect this rhetoric of the body and corporeal identity? Are we now more machine than (wo)man?
Texts
There are THREE required texts for this class
The following books are required and available from the CO-OP:
Pitts, In The Flesh Gibson, Neuromancer
+The final required text is David Cronenberg's 1983 film Videodrome.
|
The CO-OP was unable to acquire the DVD without a markup, so I will require that each of you purchase this DVD on your own. PLEASE PURCHASE THE 1998 RELEASE, NOT THE CRITERION COLLECTION EDITION RELEASED IN 2004. It is available for $8.99 on Amazon.com.
Grading
Your grade in the course will be determined by the following distribution:
Assignment Percentage of grade
Paper 1.1 5%
Paper 1.2 15%
Media Project 20%
Media Project paper 5%
Final project 15%
Blog 15%
Short Writing and Reading Quizzes 25%
Course Policies
Academic honesty: All work should be your own. Incidents of plagiarism and collusion will be reported to the Department of Rhetoric and Writing and disciplinary action will be pursued through the Dean of Students. For more information, please consult the Department's policy on plagiarism.
Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class and you must be present to turn in work. If will not be in class on the day an assignment is due, you will need to contact me in advance in order to make alternate arrangements. No late work will be accepted.
Attendance: Because of the importance of participation, this class has a strict attendance policy. You must sign the attendance sheet every day. If you arrive late you are considered tardy. THREE TARDIES WILL EQUAL ONE ABSENCE. IF YOU ARE EGREGIOUSLY LATE (MORE THAN FIFTEEN MINUTES), YOU WILL BE COUNTED ABSENT. You can miss class for a total of two weeks (4 class days), regardless of whether an absence may be considered excused or unexcused. On the fifth absence YOU WILL FAIL THE COURSE. Because of possible consequences, it is important for you to keep track of your attendance. I will file an absence/failing report with the University after the third absence, but this is the only warning you will receive.
Classroom etiquette: Turn off all cell phones and wireless devices before you enter class. Do not take calls or text message during class. When emailing your instructor, make sure to include an appropriate subject line, a salutation and your complete name. This is not only courteous, but also ensures that I have the necessary information to attend to your question or concern.
Classroom technology: We are fortunate to have the resources of the Computer Writing and Resource Lab and classroom at our disposal. These are for RHE 309K related activities. You should use them only when and how I delegate them. Please make sure to leave all food and drink at the center table when using the computer stations. Please also note that CWRL students have access to the computer lab in Parlin 104. This lab is for CWRL projects and printing and is monitored by proctors that can help you with the technology. You should check the lab for its hours.
Participation: Student discussion is simply essential for success in RHE 309K. For this course to be worth your time and that of your colleagues, you must be an active participant in every discussion. You will need to have all readings and assignments prepared for the class day to which they are assigned. This means you have read and thought about the work in terms of the goals of the class and are ready to discuss these thoughts with your classmates.
