English 3300: Three Generations of Electronic Literature
Spring 2019
Dr. Leonardo Flores
E-Mail: leonardo.flores@upr.edu
Blog: leonardoflores.net
Office: Chardón 323
Office Hours: T, Th 1:00-2:00, 3:30-4:30 or by appointment
Phone Ext: 3064
Course Website: leonardoflores.net/elit
Course Description
This course offers an introduction to literature that engages the expressive potential of electronic and digital media. The course will be structured through a historical framework that proposes three generations of electronic literature: the first from 1951 to 1995, the second from the launching of the Web in 1995 to the present, and a third that arises circa 2005 with the rise of social media networks and app-based platforms. Through this generational focus, the course will explore the main electronic literature genres and the artistic and literary movements they arise from and respond to. Finally, the course will explore a model of stages of social adoption of electronic literature: approach, discovery, experimentation, and adoption.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Identify and describe the major genres of electronic literature.
- Recognize works from different generations of electronic literature.
- Demonstrate the impact of digital media in literary creation, circulation, and reception.
- Analyze and interpret works of electronic literature using media specific analysis and related critical approaches.
- Explain trends in electronic literature and digital culture.
- Formulate and defend criteria to evaluate works of electronic literature aesthetically.
Required Materials
- Rettberg, Scott. Electronic Literature. Polity, 2019. Available at Amazon.com.
- Electronic Literature Collection, Vol. 1 (2006)
- Electronic Literature Collection, Vol. 2 (2011)
- Electronic Literature Collection, Vol. 3 (2016)
- ELMCIP Anthology of European Electronic Literature (2012)
- Additional materials will be posted or linked to in course website.
Evaluation
Each item listed below will receive a letter grade, numerically interpreted in the 4.0 scale.
| Item | Value |
| Major Assignment #1: Analysis and interpretation of a generative, hypertext, or interactive fiction work | 20% |
| Major Assignment #2: Analysis and interpretation of an interactive, kinetic, networked, or 3rd gen elit work | 20% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Assignments | 15% |
| Attendance & Participation | 5% |
Essays
Your essays will be evaluated holistically, with attention given to the following areas:
- Assignment (fulfilling requirements, quality of thesis, and depth of analysis),
- Organization (clarity of thesis, thorough paragraphing, overall organization),
- Development (relevance of claims, adequacy of support, and textual evidence),
- Form, Sentence Structure, Word Choice, and Grammar (weaknesses will be identified in these areas, but they will not affect grade significantly unless they get in the way of understanding the essay).
Assignments
All essays and assignments must be turned in on time, after which the grade for the work will decline. Assignments will be evaluated using the following criteria:
- Did you do the assignments?
- Did you do them on time?
- Did you do them well?
During the midterm and final exams, you will write a self-evaluation of your assignment work based on the criteria above and suggest a grade. I will take into account your self-evaluation, verify your record of assignments completed (including timestamp) and either agree with your grade or adjust it based on my evaluation.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory for this course. Students are expected to come to class all the time and always be on time. You must provide the appropriate documentation for an absence to be considered excused. I reserve the right to accept excuses, which must be provided in a timely fashion. Excused absences and tardiness count as 1/2 of an absence, so make a point of always being in class and on time. Refer to the chart below for a breakdown of the consequences of absences:
| Absences (or equivalent) | Impact on Grade |
| 1-4 | Attendance grade drops 1/absence. |
| 5 or more | Maximum grade drops 1/absence over 4. |
Participation
Class will be run primarily by discussion, both in the class and online. The success of the course depends on you coming to class prepared to offer observations and ask questions about the assigned reading. Participation is mandatory and will be graded both on quantity and quality of contributions, both online and in class. You will offer a self-evaluation of your participation in your Midterm and Final Exams.
Academic Honesty
As per Cert. 45, 2005-06, it is the institutional policy of the Mayagüez Campus to observe the highest standards of intellectual and scientific integrity and to pursue the prosecution of all violations. Violations include plagiarism (using the work, processes, ideas, and results of others without proper credit). Moreover, Article 14(A)(2) of the UPR General Regulations for Students identifies cheating as a punishable conduct.
As such, a professor may present a formal complaint to the Campus Disciplinary Board if she or he believes a student has committed plagiarism. If the professor pursues this line of action, Article 15 of the UPR General Regulations for Students stipulates that the repercussions may be the following:
- A written warning which will be included in the student’s official record.
- Probation for a determined period of time.
- Suspension for a determined period of time.
- Administrative permanent withdrawal from the UPR system
- Other sanctions provided by special regulation
I reserve the right to refer any case of academic dishonesty to the University’s Disciplinary Council, and enforce academic honesty in my courses with two basic rules:
- Any undocumented use of sources in an essay, assignment, or exam will result in an F for the assignment.
- Essays obtained through the Internet or any other means and turned in as your own, even if modified, will result in an F in the course.
Sexual Harassment
Certification 130-2014-2015 states that sexual harassment in the workplace and in the study environment is an illegal and discriminatory act and is against the best interests of the University of Puerto Rico. All persons who understand they have been subject to acts of sexual harassment at the University of Puerto Rico may file a complaint and request that the institution investigate, where necessary, and assume the corresponding action by the university authorities. If the complainant is a student, he or she must refer his or her complaint to the Office of the Student Ombudsperson or that of the Dean of Students.
Online Component
According to certification 16-43 of the Academic Senate, a course may include up to 25% of its total contact hours via the Internet.
Law 51 Statement
The Comprehensive Educational Services Act for People with Disabilities states that after identifying with the instructor and the institution, the student with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation in their courses and evaluations. For more information contact the Department of Counseling and Psychological services at the Office of the Dean of Students (Office DE 21) or call 787-265-3864 or 787-832-4040 x 3772, 2040 and 3864.