Clay Spinuzzi's Courses

Course Description

Lifehacking refers to developing productivity tricks to avoid information overload and organize one’s life. Although it started in the software development community, lifehacking has spread across various facets of knowledge work.

In this course, we’ll examine lifehacking as a literate phenomenon emerging from knowledge work, with special emphasis on how it relates to changes in work organization and how it changes work and personal activity through self-mediation. We’ll read lifehacking texts and critiques; try out lifehacking techniques and software; and observe knowledge work with the object of recommending lifehacking solutions. We’ll also apply lifehacking to our own work and examine how that work changes.

Text, Class Location

Texts

• Johnson-Eilola, J. Datacloud.
• Allen, D. Getting Things Done.
• Readings in the course packet
• News aggregator, with feeds from http://43folders.com, http://lifehacker.com, and related blogs

Class location and hours

MWF 9-10 in FAC 9

Computer Use

We will use computers extensively in this class. You will use Google Docs to write and share drafts, and (if you like) to turn in assignments. For Project 3, you will also use Basecamp for managing the group project. Both are web-based applications that you should be able to use from any networked computer.

Computer Conduct

Since we meet in a computer lab, students will be asked to use computers frequently. But students will need to adhere to certain guidelines in addition to the university's code of computer conduct:

• Do not deliberately access material that can be considered threatening to other students. This material includes pornography and overtly sexist materials, bigotry and overtly racist materials, and
  materials advocating personal violence. You can view these materials on your own time, if you are so compelled, but they have no place in class.
• Do not use computers if someone is addressing the class -- including your professor or students who are presenting.
• Do not use computers for business unrelated to class during class exercises. For instance, don't check sports scores or your email when you're supposed to be examining online examples.

If you violate these guidelines, you may be asked to leave the classroom and your participation grade may be negatively affected.

Work Required

Major projects are listed on the Project pages and the schedule.

Attendance

You are allowed six unexcused absences. The seventh absence will cause you to fail the course. Excused absences include religious holidays, family emergencies, and illnesses.

If you are going to be absent, you need to contact me before the absence or as soon as you can after the absence, and bring documentation if you are going to be absent for medical reasons.

I tend to email students who are getting close to their limit in absences. Check your email regularly, especially if you have missed several classes.

Late Assignments and Drafts

Turn in any assignment -- essays, drafts, etc. -- at the beginning of the class period that they are due. If your paper is late, I will lower it one letter grade for each class day that it is late. Short,
out-of-class assignments are not accepted late. You can not make up in-class work.

Honesty

Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the university. Since such
dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial
Services website.

Here's what you can do to cover yourself against plaigiarism or collusion:

• Read the Statement on Scholastic Responsibility in the online Student Guide. Also see the Student Judicial Services site on academic integrity.
• At any stage of your writing, keep your drafts, notes, papers,and research materials. If a question of plaigiarism arises, you'll have a paper trail. (In addition to protecting you in this course, paper trails will also protect you in a variety of other academic, public, and work-related contexts.)
• Don't use editing services. Don't ask anyone, even family or friends, to edit your paper or help you write it. You need to do that work yourself.
• If you need additional help with your writing, contact the University Writing Center, the University of Texas Learning Center (UTLC), Student Judicial Services, or other official University organizations. These organizations are trained to help you without colluding in plaigiarism.
• Last but not least, ask me if you have any questions about honesty.

Special Needs

The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To determine if you qualify, please contact the Dean of Students at
512.471.6259; 512.471.4641 TTY.