Locative Media & The City

Course Requirements:

Reading: Assigned readings are to be completed prior to the class session in which they will be discussed.

Discussion: Everyone is required to participate in each class discussion. Each student is required to direct the discussion of one (1) class session. This includes preparing topics for debate, researching works cited, and moderating the discussion.

Weekly Responses: Each week, each student is expected to respond to the readings, works and discussions by contributing a
minimum of 500 words to the course weblog. These may take the form of: critical reflections and analysis on the topic at hand, annotated references to other relevant works or further readings, theoretical connections with previous material, etc. More explanation on blogs will be provided in class.

Short Exercises: Students are to complete two (2) short exercises. These exercises are intended to complement the readings and discussions by testing ideas presented in class through an active/generative modality. Students will work in small groups of no more than 3 people. These exercises may be either project- or writing-based.

Additionally, students will have the option of producing either a research paper or project:

Research Paper: Research papers should be considered as a preliminary “sketch” of a larger critical/theoretical project, and range between 10 and 15 pages. Suggested paper topics will be provided, but students are also encouraged to propose their own topics. All papers should demonstrate a close reading of the required texts, exhibit a method of critical analysis, and incorporate speculative creativity. Papers will be presented at the end of the term in the form of a 20–minute class presentation. Papers must be produced individually.

Research Project: Research projects should be considered as a “proposal” for a larger project, and will be presented at the end of the term in the form of a 20–minute class presentation. All projects should posit a critical position vis-à-vis the course subject and clearly articulate a research agenda for further inquiry. Suggested project scenarios will be provided, but students are also encouraged to propose their own project. While work produced for another class or studio is not acceptable, thesis and graduate students are encouraged to pursue projects related to their personal lines of inquiry. Projects may be produced individually or in small groups of no more the 3 people.

Attendance:

Students are required to attend all class sections and to be on time to class. There is no such thing as an “allowable” unexcused absence. As your participation in class discussions amounts to 15% of your grade for this course, ANY missed class will result in a lowering of your grade. Arriving more than 15 minutes late for two (2) classes is considered one (1) absence. MISSING MORE THAN 3 CLASSES WITHOUT AN ACCEPTABLE EXCUSE WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE. NO EXCEPTIONS. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF YOUR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. Acceptable excuses include sickness, accidents, severe weather, family crisis and other contingencies. Let’s face it. Sometimes *$%! happens. However, when it does, it MUST be documented in some concrete form in order not to be counted as an absence.

Grading:

Participation in Class Discussions: 15%
Weekly Responses: 15%
Short Exercises/Papers: 30%
Final Paper/Project: 40%

Incomplete Policy:

Incompletes are only granted in the case of legitimate, documented emergencies, and only to students in good standing in the course.

Academic Integrity:

Students are reminded of University Policy regarding Academic Integrity, as stated in the University at Buffalo Undergraduate Catalog 2001-2002:

"The University has a responsibility to promote academic honesty and integrity and to develop procedures to deal effectively with instances of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others’ academic endeavors. By placing their name on academic work, students certify originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments."

This policy includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Students should not cheat on exams.
• Students should not submit previously completed work as original work.
• Students should not submit work done for one class to fulfill the requirements of another course without the permission of the instructor.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is literary theft and a betrayal of trust. The term is derived from the Latin word for kidnapper and refers to the act of signing one's own name to words, phrases, or ideas, which are the literary property of another. Plagiarism comes in many forms, all to be avoided: outright copying or disguised use of words and phrases from an unacknowledged source. This includes copying and pasting from any online source. To avoid Plagiarism, students are encouraged to make it their habit to put quotation marks around words and phrases, or to isolate and indent longer passages that you are using from someone else's writing. Students can cite the source in a footnote/endnote, or within parentheses in your text. The penalties for Plagiarism can be severe: from an F for the particular assignment, to an F for the course, and to referral of the case to the Dean of Undergraduate Education for administrative judgment.

Specific Needs:

Students with specific needs that require attention should inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester. If you have a disability (physical, learning, or psychological) which may make it difficult for you to carry out the course work as outlined, and/or requires accommodations such as recruiting note takers, readers, or extended time on exams and assignments, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608. The office will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations.

WARNING:

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A STUDENT PRODUCTION WHICH INVOLVES ANY PROP WHICH COULD BE INTERPRETED TO BE A WEAPON [TOY GUN, BB GUN, KNIFE, ETC.] AND YOU ARE PLANNING TO SHOOT ON THE UB CAMPUS OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC SPACE, YOU MUST OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM CAMPUS SECURITY OR THE EQUIVALENT AUTHORITY BEFORE YOU DO SO. IF NOT YOU WILL FACE SERIOUS PROBLEMS INCLUDING POSSIBLE EXPULSION FROM THE UNIVERSITY. (No joke).