Syllabus, Hyperfiction

HYPERFICTION: READING AND WRITING IN CYBERSPACE:
An Interdisciplinary Course A discussion of the course is available.

CS/Engl 721-80, Wednesday 1530-1800, Gelman B01

Computer-based interactive fiction creates new roles for the reader, writer and publisher. Students will use various hypertext software systems to create individual and group hyperfiction texts. We will explore the theoretical and practical implications for software development, story construction, literary theory, cognition and human development, and the role of the Internet.

Hypertext is a technology that allows writers and readers to construct and follow multiple paths through networks of writing spaces containing text, graphics, and/or sound recordings--thus altering conventions of reading and writing associated with the fixed arrangement of the printed page. According to Jay Bolter, hypertext "is changing the relationship of the author to the text and of both author and text to the reader."

This course is expected to appeal to students interested in fiction writing, software development, literary theory, and/or the psychology of cognition

Instructors:
Dr. Rachelle Heller:     Dept. of EE & Computer Science
Dr. Mark Wallace:      Dept. of English

Texts and Supplies:

Writing Space, Jay David Bolter. Lawrence Erlbaum, 1991. (required) Interactive Writers Handbook, Darryl Wimberly and Jon Samsel. Carronade Group. 1995

Hypertext, George Landow, Johns Hopkins U. Press, 1992. (optional - recommended for those interested in literary theory as it relates to hypertext)

Diskettes: five DS, DD diskettes for the Mac (you may need more)

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course you should be able to:

    *Create hyperfiction using various hypertext software systems.
     *Read and evaluate hyperfiction by various authors and other students.
     *Reflect critically on the process of reading and interpreting hypertexts.
     *Understand the implications of hypertext on the relationship between readers, writers, and publishers.
     *Continue the exploration of hypertext's theoretical and practical impact on your own discipline or interest.

Requirements:

Join class LISTSERV which will also act as journal: hyperfic@gwuvm.gwu.edu
Keep a weekly journal
Write continuation of classroom exercises
Write one short fiction (up to 25 episodes)
Write one longer fiction (up to 50 episodes)
Write one interactive fiction (internet collaboration).
Write an analytical/research essay (5 pages plus notes and bibliography) in one of the following areas:

          1)   Comparison of hyperfiction novels with traditional novels.
          2)   Hypertext implications for literary theory.
          3)   Psychological implications of hypertext, especially in terms of cognition/learning and human development.
          4)   Hypertext implications for software development, artificial intelligence, etc.

In addition, we will read and discuss several published hyperfiction novels (Afternoon by Michael Joyce and Victory Garden by Stuart Moulthrop, in particular), and student work.

Consistent attendance is required since this is a hands-on, workshop type of class. Assume that your grade will suffer if you miss more than one class. You are responsible for all work due, assigned, or completed in a class you miss.

No previous computer experience is required, but familiarity with a Mac will be helpful. The better your keyboard (typing) skills, the easier it will be for you to complete your work. In addition, expect to spend additional hours in a Mac Lab to complete your assignments. A lab schedule is attached for your information. Remember that you will need a computer in order to both read as well as to write hypertext.

Subscribing to LISTSERV: send email to listserv@gwuvm.gwu.edu
body of message: TELL LISTSERV ADD hyperfic email FIRSTNAME LASTNAMEWeek/Date

	Topic	Assignments
1/17	Introduction: Join LISTSERV Using StorySpace Journal: one page Writing experimental fiction repsonse to reading Develop one line into four episodes (linking doesn't matter) 1-2 page writing sample Handbook 191-212 (1/24, 1/31)	1st class open storyspace - how to drill opening episode and linking mark drills each student write a line to teacher station, one at a time download to student space save to their portfolio chat each student write a hidden line to teacher station, one at a time open new StorySpace block for each ie-25 blocks each student download chat assignment for next week turn one line into four episodes - linking doesn't matter reading *(Journal - computer written one page response to the reading LISTSERVE set up --listserve will be the journal
1/24	Hardware and Software Develop one line to 2 to 4 Character and detail episodes Journal entries Bolter chapter 2	hardware software history etc more drills on software character and detail exercise: 10 sentences which are abstract turn into detial in one sentence develop one sentence into 2 to 4 episodes *journal entries based on reading
1/31	StorySpace: guards and linking Turn in episode Dialog	more on StorySpace guards on linking dialogue exercise turn into an episode hand out visual poems - journal respond to impressions of the poems' "visualness"
2/7	Complex linking First assignment due on 2/21 Experimental poems Handbook 107-146 (2/14) Bolter chapter 6	complex linking experimental poems review the journals announce 1st assignment (due 2/21)
2/14	Structure Bolter chapter 10	structure linear and non-linear
2/21	Using images in your stories DUE: 1st story Plot and revision Prior to class, send your comments on 2 stories Bolter chapter 5	plot and revision using images in your stories visual poems font size, color, and images 1st assignment due role and value of revision in process prior to today - the journal response is a set of comments on two stories by others in class (will arrange for tow different ones) - send your comments to the students, we willtalk about them and talk about what we can do to revise
2/28	The WWW Revise story, due 3/6 Revision workshop Bolter chapter 11	1st revision workshop prior to today - the journal response is a set of comments on two stories by others in class ( will arrange for two different ones) - send our comments to the students, we will talk about them and talk about what we can do to revise web revise and due 3/6 over next four weeks - theoretical over linear vs non-linear group creations Michael Joyce's work (remember to make some journal entries on Joyce) how hyperfiction relates to interactive environment
3/6	Group creations Second story due 3/27 Critical approach to hyperfiction DUE: 1st story final Bolter chapter 9 English Seminar on Hyperfiction 4 to 6pm	group creations - theory and practice critical approaches to hyperfiction second story due 3/27 final version of 1st assignment due
3/7	3/7: English seminar on hyperfiction 4-6pm	3/7: English seminar on hyperfiction 4-6pm
3/13	The WWW Handbook 159-173 (3/27) Joyce Bolter chapter 8 3/16 ACM Hypertext Conference Student helpers wanted	Joyce
3/27	Interactive environments DUE: 2nd story Web story due 4/1	2nd story due assign web story - due in two weeks interactive environments
4/3	Revision workshop Bolter chapter 13	return story number 2 2nd version workshop due in the format of 1st revision workshop
4/10	The Web Final workshop	web due class negotiate the interconnection of web final version of 2nd story due
4/17	Revision workshop	shelly away turn in revised number 2 revised web story
4/24	The Web Final workshop	turn in revisions discuss comments to web story workshop on web story
5/1	No Class DUE: Final paper	final revision of web story due final paper dealing with theoretical issues (5 pages)