DIG 340 is an advanced course that counts for both Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) and Digital Studies (DIG). The reading and work load may be challenging at times. Many of the projects are unconventional as well.
Reading, Watching, and Playing
- Louis Hall, Speak (2015)
- Sam Maggs, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks (2015)
- Sara Wachter-Boettcher, Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech (2017)
- Various journal articles, book chapters, and online material, available through the library and the class website.
- Occasional movies and games
Projects
The graded work for DIG 340 includes four assignments, detailed below: (1) regular blogging; (2) an Internet Guide; (3) a cultural artifact; and (4) an interactive vignette.
- Throughout the semester you’ll post reflections on the course material to the class blog. You’ll also comment on each other’s posts and share outside resources with each other through the blog. Blogging counts toward 20% of your final grade.
- A Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy includes a section that maps out different “kingdoms” of the Internet. You’ll create a similar kind of Internet Guide that highlights some realm of the Internet and its intersection with gender, sexuality, race, class, or disability. The guide counts toward 20% of your final grade.
- Cultural artifacts are representations in culture that intersect with the theories, histories, and examples we cover in class. Television shows, movies, novels, fiction, songs, videos, videogames, and more all count as cultural artifacts. You’ll present on your artifact in class, offering an informed analysis of the artifact and its cultural significance. You’ll also hand in a written analysis to go along with your presentation. The presentations will take place in February and March. The cultural artifact counts toward 30% of your final grade.
- The interactive vignette is a short story-game in Twine that shines a light on some intersection of gender and technology in a thoughtful and thought-provoking way. The vignette counts toward 30% of your final grade.
In addition to these four graded projects, I will also consider your engagement in the course. Engagement refers to your involvement in the course, both in and outside of the classroom. Factors include preparation, participation, focus, use of office hours, and so on. It is essential that everyone has carefully considered the day’s material, attends class, and participates. I also expect students to bring the day’s readings to class, well-marked up with notes and annotations. After every two absences for reasons not recognized by Davidson, your final grade will drop by one step (B+ becomes a B, B becomes a B-, etc.). Religious observation, medical emergencies, or college-sanctioned commitments count as excused absences.
Grading
I’ll evaluate blog posts on an Excellent/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. I’ll evaluate the rest of your work with a letter grade that has a percentage equivalent:
A = 95% / A- = 90%
B+ = 88% / B = 85% / B- = 80%
C+ = 78% / C = 75% / C- = 70%
D+ = 68% / D = 65% / F = below 60%