Paper Topics--first paper due on March 11 at 5:00

Be sure to read the instructions carefully.

Deadline:  Papers are due on March 11 at 5:00. I do not accept late papers--no exceptions. You must submit a paper and electronic version. Paper versions are due in my office at 5:00 on March 11. Electronic versions must be sent to my email address: jdean@hws.edu. Again, you must submit both versions (submitting just one does not count and you will get a "0").

Format:  Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with a title page, citations (recognized academic form), and page numbers. The paper version must be stapled in the upper left corner. Papers should be 7-9 pages long (6 is too short; 10 is too long).

Style:  Papers must have a thesis, that is, a primary claim for which you argue on the basis of your reading of the texts assigned for the class.  The thesis must appear in your first paragraph. So the assignment is to write an essay on one of the topics listed below. The essay should answer the question the topic poses. In answering the question, the essay should draw from (and cite) the relevant course materials. You are welcome to email me your thesis in advance to make sure you are on the right track. Note, though, I will be away March 7-11; because I will be in the UK (and hence 5 hours ahead), there could be up to a 24 hour delay in my response time. The repercussion--don't wait till the last minute to ask about your thesis.

Assessment: The criteria for assessment (not in rank order) are 1) the format requirements; 2) the cogency of the thesis; 3) the quality of the argument; 4) the quality of the writing; 5) the depth of engagement with the course readings; 4) the understanding of the readings demonstrated in the paper. I am looking for papers that take a position and present strong, well-supported arguments for it.

Questions (choose 1):

1.  The first assignment for the class was coming up with an internet timeline. Drawing from Lovink, Terranova, and Dean, write an essay in which you identify a central dynamic, antagonism, or theme in the emergence of network culture.  Be sure to specify something like periods, moments, or stages.

2.  Lanier describes lords and peasants of the cloud. Does Terranova share his concern? How do they both compare with Anderson? Do networked communications really point to a new economy in which all products will be free? Why or why not? Write an essay in which you take a specific position on the economic effect/potential of networked computing.

3.  Lanier and Dean both address the effects of networked computing on people/subjects. Are their concerns the same? Completely opposite? Is his concern with the hive, flatness, blankness, conformity, and crowds the same as her diagnosis of secondary orality, whatever being, or affective networks? Why or why not? Write an essay in which you take a specific position on the effect of networked computing on subjectivity/identity.

4.  Compare and contrast Terranova and Dean's account of network politics. What are key points of overlap and divergence in their accounts? What are the repercussions of their discussions of the mass, image, and (for Dean) affective networks? Write an essay in which you take a specific position on the effect of networked computing on politics.