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The Evergreen State College
Community, Communication, and Computers
Folk Tales for the Next 999 Years
Winter 1999 Syllabus
Meeting = Times:
Each Wednesday Winter Quarter 6:00 PM - 10:00 = PM Library 1612
Saturdays: January 16 and March 13 9:00 AM - 5:00 = PM Library 1612=20
Field Trips: TBA
[ From Punch in New York by Alice Provensen = ]
Rebecca Chamberlain
Office: Library 1608 A
Mailstop: L 3220
Phone: 360.866.6000 x 6844
E-Mail: chambreb@evergreen.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Other hours by appointment
Doug Schuler
Office: Library 1602
Mailstop: L 3220
Phone: 360.866.6000 x 6704
E-Mail: dschuler@evergreen.edu
Office Hours: Wednesday 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Other hours by appointment
Our modern world demands that we be well-rounded and flexible = communicators. This intensive year-long program is for the serious = student committed to exploring the relationship of orality and literacy, = technology and society. During the year participants will develop = skills as creative writers, storytellers and literate technologists. We = will weave together strands from many disciplines including performance, = literature, writing, media theory, political action, and technology = studies. Activities will be designed for the beginning and advanced = student and will encourage both collaborative and individual learning. = Each student will be expected to master several critical computer skills = and those with experience in computer technology will be challenged to = advance their abilities.
Designed for both beginning and advanced students, activities will = encourage collaboration as well as independent learning, identifying = strengths and developing new areas of growth. Over the year students = may receive credit in the arts, computer technology, folklore, writing, = literature, history, political science, and communications or media = theory. Instructional strategies include lectures workshops, = performances, seminars (in person and on-line), computer labs, and other = venues.
The program has several interrelated objectives:
=95 Increasing and enriching computer literacy.
=95 Understanding the challenges and opportunities of modern = computing and telecommunications systems within a continuum of human = culture, relationships, aspirations, and creativity.
=95 Developing and exploring innovative uses of communications = technology in understanding artistic achievements of the past and = challenges of the future.
=95 Combining and meeting professional and personal goals and = aspirations.
Last quarter (fall 1998) our theme was "Invent the New Media." In = that quarter we examined history and theory of communication shifts, = various types of mass media including television and the Internet; how = media shapes society and how people can help shape media.
This quarter (winter 1999) the theme will be "Folk Tales for the Next = 999 Years" in which we will concentrate on the ideas of stories: what = they mean and what people do with them as we enter the 21st century.
Objectives for winter quarter: To develop and deepen our = understanding of the story.
Story=92s forms: For example, family stories, creation myths, = trickster tales.
Story=92s uses: In the past and in the future
Story=92s cultural and social contexts: For example, ritual, wisdom = teachings, creativity, gender, social class, power, environmental = issues.
How to create and shape and express stories in various forms and = media: including writing, multimedia, hypertext, and performance, = etc.
This quarter we will be asking the questions: Why study stories? How = do they evolve? What is their "purpose?" What are their effects? Is = their influence waning? Why and why not? How has the context for = stories changed? How do the themes and issues that new technologies = bring about in our modern world become part of our stories? How does = the notion of place affect them? Culture? Who creates stories? Who = owns a story?
Finally in Spring 1999, we will take up the theme of "Community = Action and Communication." What is a community? What roles does = communication play? What can individuals and communities do to = strengthen community?
Expectations: = Students will be expected to attend and participate fully in all class = meetings, read each text faithfully, write reading response papers, and = participate in seminars, workshops, performances, and communications = projects. Students will be expected to work intensely in groups on = workshop activities and on-line group projects for a minimum of sixteen = hours outside of class meetings.
Schedule: Class will meet each Wednesday evening from 6:00 - = 10:00 PM, and from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on two Saturday=92s during the = quarter, January 14 and March 13. In addition one or more field trips = will be arranged. Students will meet with their small groups either in = person or on-line for workshop and group projects for a minimum of two = hours a week (16 hours per quarter) outside of class.
40 10 Wednesday evening sessions
16 2 Saturday (all-day) sessions
8 Field trip(s)
16 On-line seminar, workshops, (and other group) work
Attendance will be taken at each class and workshop meetings. At = small group workshops and planning meetings, each group member must turn = in weekly responses to document their group participation. Any student = missing a class or workshop must do a make-up project or lose credit. =
Required = Books and Readings (Available at the Evergreen Bookstore)
Italo Calvino. Cosmiccomics. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1968 = (or other edition)
Angela Carter (Ed.). The Old Wives' Fairy Tale Book. = Pantheon, 1990.
Rebecca Chamberlain and Doug Schuler (Eds.) CCC Reader -- Winter '99. = 1999.
Sean Kane. Wisdom of the Mythtellers. Broadview, 1994.
Mark Stefik. Internet Dreams: Archetypes, Myths, and = Metaphors. MIT Press, 1997.
Jack Zipes. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales, Children, and the = Culture Industry. Routledge, 1997.
Supplementary = Readings
Available = on reserve in the Evergreen Library and/or posted on line.
Check out: http://tech-head.com/story.htm
Assignments
Each student will participate in:
=95 One individual project
=95 One group (3 - 6 people) project
=95 One seminar (story hypertext) project
=95 Two workshops
=95 Reading responses
There will be a detailed description of each activity on a separate = handout.
Class Portfolio
Each student is required to keep a class portfolio throughout the = quarter. This will be turned in during the fifth week and at the end of = the quarter for evaluation conferences. Include your name, the title, = and date of each item in your portfolio. Each section should be = arranged chronologically. The portfolio must be kept in a loose leaf = three ring binder with dividers and should contain the following:
1. Course syllabus, covenant, and class handouts
2. Class lecture and workshops
3. Seminar notes
4 Workshops
5. Individual project(s) -- planning, research, development notes =
6. Group project -- planning, research, development notes
7. Reading Responses to required texts. Follow format on reading = response handout.
8. Field trip responses.
9. Self and Faculty evaluations (at the end of the quarter.)
Field Studies
Each student is expected to participate in approximately 8 hours of = non-class activities related to the themes of the program. That is, the = field trip should combine computer technology, stories, and social = implications in some way. If the story aspects or social implications = are not part of the event then you must construct your own thoughts on = the social implications of the technology. There is quite a bit of = flexibility here. To clarify your reactions, a group of students may = agree to attend an event together and discuss it. Responses and = reactions must be written up, titled, dated, and included in your = portfolio. If you're unsure of the suitability of the field trip = or your plan to address this requirement, talk to your seminar leader. = Note that the field trips will often be off-campus and may involve a = registration fee.
Field trip possibilities include story telling performances at the = Tacoma Art Museum. Sunday, February 29, at 1:00 and 3:00; and Saturday = and Sunday February 6 and 7 and March 7 and 8 at 2:00 PM.
Major = Projects and Due Dates See handouts for details on = projects.
Individual project --
Topic Due: week 3, Jan. 20
Final Draft Due: week 7, Feb. 18
Group project (3 - 6 people).
Commit To Project: Week 3, Jan. 20. Turn in name of project and = group
members by end of evening.
Topic and project outline due: Week 5, Feb. 3.
Final Draft and Group Presentation due: Week 10, Saturday March = 13.
Seminar (story hypertext) project
Weekly Reading = Responses
Each student will be responsible for writing reading responses that = cover the major texts and readings for the quarter. These may include: =
7 - one page = reading responses - = or -
4 - reading = responses that cover multiple works.
See Handout "Guidelines For Reading Responses" for more = detail.
Each student will post their reading responses group on Web CT for = their seminar group. Hard copies will be handed in to seminar leaders. = File them chronologically in your portfolio when they are returned. = Due dates TBA.
Workshops
Each person will be responsible for participating in or = completing two workshops during the quarter. Some of these will be done = on campus, others can be worked on individually. Topics = include:
See Workshop Handout for dates. times, and details.
Group Project
Each student will participate in a group project with two-five other = students. This project is intended to help students develop team = research, performance, and writing skills as well as general and = specific knowledge about stories and their relationships with society. = Each team will present their project during week ten of the quarter. = See handout for ideas and details.
On-Line Workshops and Seminars
In order to participate in web based and on line collaborative = projects, students must have access to these minimum computer = requirements.
1) TESC e-mail account
2) Netscape Navigator or Communicator.
Netscape Communicator (version 4.x) is what we use in the computer = center. It is our preference for ease of use.
3) Access to a local Internet Service Provider (ISP).
(We recommend getting a local provider. Access though AOL tends to = be slow and project work is sometimes disrupted.)
Our program has received a Plato Grant to pilot the use of WebCT and = other computer software. Over the year, we will have the opportunity to = develop and evaluate the effectiveness of this program for the rest of = the campus community. We feel very honored to have you join us in this = venture. We will be working closely with Susan Bustetter and Pete = Pietras in Academic Computer Services.
Technological = Literacy
Each student will = improve their computing literacy this quarter This module is intended = to help students develop: computing skills and increased computing = confidence, competence, independence and judgment.
Due to the wide diversity of student skill levels and interests there = are several ways to go about meeting the requirements of the computing = literacy module. Because of this students will be somewhat responsible = for determining which direction this will go. For most students this = will mean working with Photoshop and web design fundamentals. For other = students this might mean working on computing and web fundamentals (see = handout for more information), teaching, or more advanced techniques. = Please note that this module can be linked to group, individual, or = other CCC work this quarter.
To help plan this module so that it meets student needs more = effectively three one-page reports will be turned in; one at the = beginning, middle, and end of the quarter. These reports will cover (1) = what the student plans to do; (2) where the student is at midterm; and = (3) where the student is at the end of the quarter.
Computing Literacy Plan: Due Saturday, January 16
Midterm report: Due week 5, February 3
Final report. Due Saturday, March 13.
Staff Support
Computer = Center Liaison Library Liaison
=20Susan Bustetter Ernestine Kimbro
kimbroe@evergreen.edu
360.866.6000 x 6626 360.866.6000 x 6715
Computer Workshops
Monday=92s in the Mac classroom 6:00-9:00 pm
Scott Gruenemeier
grune23@home.com
360.956.1386
Christmas Break Assignments
To read before class: Calvino, Italo. Cosmicomics. = Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1965.
New students-View Charlie Teske lecture, on reserve in the library. =
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Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf (Gustave = Doré)
________________________________________________________= ___
Week One
Life will go on
as long as there is someone
to sing, to dance, to tell stories and to = listen.
Oren Lyons
Wednesday, January 6, 1999
6:00-7:00 Introduction
To faculty and students
To this quarter's syllabus
7:00-7:45 What is Story and Why is it Important? Rebecca = & Doug
7:45-8:00 Break
8:00-10:00 Storytelling Workshop
-Personal & Family Stories
-Story Variations
Assignments:
Reading due January 13, 1999
Kane, Sean. Wisdom Of The Mythtellers. "Prologue, = Patterns, Maps, Boundary, Dream," (p. 9-123).
Finish Calvino=92s Cosmiccomics.
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Two
Wherever a story comes from, whether it is a familiar myth or a = private memory, the retelling exemplifies the making of a connection = from one pattern to another: a potential translation in which narrative = becomes parable and the once upon a time comes to stand for some = renascent truth. this approach applies to all the incidents of everyday = life: the phrase in the newspaper, the endearing or infuriating game of = a toddler, the misunderstanding at the office. Our species thinks in = metaphors and learns through stories.
Mary Catherine Bateson
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, January 13, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introductions
6:15-7:45 Seminar or Photoshop I (Seminar Groups alternate)
7:15-8:00 Break
8:00-9:30 Seminar or Photoshop I
9:30-10:00 Group Project Planning "Smorgasbord"
In-class Seminar Topics: What is the role of storytelling and = mythmaking in our human inheritance?
Texts: Wisdom Of The Mythtellers, Cosmicomics.
Assignments:
Reading due January 16, 1999
The Starchild Myth. Copies are available: 1) On Reserve In The = Library,
Kane, Sean. Wisdom Of The Mythtellers. = "Complimentarity, Tradition, Context, Epilogue" (p. = 149-end.).
CCC Reader:
Joseph Campbell, Myth and The Modern World.
New Myths for the New Millennium. Stanley Krippner, Ann Mortifee, =
and David Feinstein. The Futurist. March 1988.
Saturday, January 16, 1999
9:00-9:15 Introductions
9:15-10:15 Film: Joseph Campbell-"The First = Storytellers."
10:15-10:45 Break
10:45-12:15 Mythic Tool Kits: Rebecca
12:15-1:00 POTLUCK LUNCH
l:00-2:30 Star Child and Creation Myths
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-5:00 Workshops:
Assignments:
Reading due January 20, 1999
Jack Zipes, Happily Ever After. "Introduction, Of Cats = and Men, The Rationalization of Abandonment and Abuse in Fairy Tales, = ix-39.
CCC Reader:
Heisig, James. "Bruno Bettelheim and the Fairy Tale." (p. = 95-112).
Policing the Culture. Chapter 1 in Data Deprivation by Herbert = Schiller (pages 1 - 25).
The Shape of Truth to Come: New Media and Knowledge. Chris = Carlson. (pages 235 =96 244).
Week Three On-line Seminar Topic: "What Is Myth: past, present, = future?"
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Three
We are the first generation bombarded with so many stories from so = many "authorities," none of which are our own. The parable of the = postmodern mind is the person surrounded by a media center: three = television screens in front of them giving three sets of stories; fax = machines bringing in other stories; newspapers providing still more = stories. In a sense, we are saturated with stories; we're saturated with = points of view. But the effect of being bombarded with all of these = points of view is that we don't have a point of view and we don't have a = story. We lose the continuity of our experiences; we become people who = are written on from the outside.
Sam Keen
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, January 20, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introduction
6:15-7:15 Why the Future won't be like the Past: Globalization = and Other Interesting New Twists. Lecture: Doug
7:15-8:00 Break
8:00- 9:00 Workshop: Tall Tales & Urban Folklore
(Bring Newspaper Clippings, Stories-Fact or Fiction, Truth or = lies).
9:00-10:00 Group Project Planning Meetings
Assignments:
Reading due January 27, 1999
Jack Zipes, Happily Ever After. "Revisiting Benjamin=92s = =91The Storyteller" (p. 129-142).
CCC Reader:
Walter Benjamin, "The Storyteller: Reflections On The Works Of = Nikolai Lescov" (p.83-109)
The Velvet Revolution and Iron Necessity by Eva Hauser (pages 77-94) =
Coding Tricksters and Theory-Making: Storying Social Movements by = Chris Cavenaugh (pages 133-136).
"Mapping Mythic Tricksers" by William Hynes (pages 33-45)
In-Class Seminar Topic: Walter Benjamin=92s "The = Storyteller." The survival of story in the modern cultural and = political environment. The role of Tricksters.
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Four
The highest-paid person in the first half of the next century = will be the "storyteller." The value of products will depend on the = story they tell Nike and many other global companies are already mainly = storytellers. That is where the money is --- even today. Rolf = Jensen
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, January 27, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introductions
6:15-7:45 Seminar or Photoshop II (Seminar Groups alternate)
7:15-8:00 Break
8:00-9:30 Seminar or Photoshop II
9:30-10:00 Tricksters & Troublemakers: Lecture- Doug
Assignments:
Portfolio Due for Mid-quarter evaluation conferences.
Reading Due Feb. 3, 1999
Jack Zipes, Happily Ever After. "Toward a Theory Of The = Fairy-Tale Film, Once Upon A Time Beyond Disney, Lion Kings and the = Culture Industry. (p. 61-111)
CCC Reader:
"Of Elephants and Ducks" chapter 2 of "The Empire's Old Clothes: What = the Lone Ranger, Babar, and other Innocent heroes to do our minds." = Ariel Dorfman. Pages 17 =96 66.
Week 5 On-Line Seminar Topic: Stories and the new media.
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Five
Classic narrative is basically linear. It is like a river which = has a source in an inland spring. The water bubbles up from the ground = and sets off on a journey, pushed forward by the energy generated at its = source. It twists and turns and gains momentum according to the = obstacles in its path, as if it always has one aim in view; to finally = reach and unite with its destination, the sea.
=20Cherry Potter
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, February 3, 1999
Mid Quarter Evaluation Conferences
Films (B.Y.O. Popcorn & Pop)
6:00-6:16 Introductions
6:15-8:00 Cocteau=92s "Beauty and The Beast"
8:00-8:30 Break
8:30-10:00 Disney=92s "Beauty and The Beast"
Student led discussion of the films.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 6-7
Field Trip Option: Tacoma Art Museum, Towards An = American Identity
Storytelling Performances by CCC Students 2:00. =
Assignments:
Reading Due Feb 10, 1999
CCC Reader:
Charles Teske. "Notes On Orality and Literacy." (p. 1-34) = 1990
Langer, Susan. "The Cultural Importance Of the Arts," (p. 261-268) = in
Problems of Art: Ten Philosophical Lectures, Charles Scribner's, = 1957.
In-Class = Seminar Topic: TBA
= ___________________________________________________________
=Week Six
People often are powerless, alone, afraid. this is because someone = else is telling their story for them: 'You are stupid. You are ugly. You = are undesirable. You are useless.' Through storytelling, you can = recognize your real story. Joe Bruchac
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, February 10, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introduction
6:15-7:45 Web Design I
7:45-8:00 Break
8:00-9:15 Stories Of Technology. Lecture & = Performance: Rebecca
9:15-10:00 Group Project Meetings, (computer lab)
Assignments:
Reading Due Feb 17, 1999
Mark Stefik, Internet Dreams, excerpts from: "As We May = Think." Vannevar Bush. Pages 15 =96 22; "The Digital Library Project, = Volume 1: The World of
Knowbots." Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf. Pages 33 =96 38; = Technological Revolutions and the Gutenberg Myth. Scott Cook. Pages 67 = =96 82; The Electronic Capture and Dissemination of the Culture Practice = of Tibetan Thangka Painting. Ranjit Makkuni. Pages 95 =96107; The = Electronic Mail Metaphor: The I-Way as a Communications Medium Mark = Stefik. Pages 109 -124.
On-Line Seminar Topic: TBA
___________________________________________________________
Week Seven
Their story, yours and mine --- it's what we all carry with us on = this trip we take, and we owe it to each other to respect our stories = and learn from them.
=20William Carlos Williams
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, February 17, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introductions
6:15-7:45 Web Design II
7:45-8:00 Break
8:00-9:00 When Stories are Political. Lecture: Doug
9:00-10:00 Group Project Meetings- (computer lab)
Assignments:
Reading Due Feb 24, 1999
Mark Stefik, Internet Dreams, excerpts from: "Mudding: Social = Phenomena in
Text-Based Virtual Realities. Pavel Curtis. Pages 265 =96 292; A = Rape in Cyberspace: How an Evil Clow, a Haitian Trickster Spirit, Two = Wizards, and a Cast of Dozens Turned a Database into a Society. Julian = Dibbell. Pages 293 =96 316; "Interaction without Society?: What = Avatars Can't Do. Harry Collins. Pages 317 =96 326; "Towards Portable = Ideas." Mark Stefik and John Seely Brown. Pages 327 =96 344; First = Encounters of an On-Line Dream Group. Barbara Viglizzo. Pages 353-389; = Epilogue: Choices and Dreams. Mark Stefik. Pages 389 - 398.
In-Class Seminar Topic: TBA
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Eight
Good stories fire the listener's imagination. They draw people in and = include them in the storytelling process.
Edward O. Welles
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, February 24, 1999
6:00-6;15 Introduction
6:15-8:15 Sometimes The Fish Eats You; Performance and Discussion = by Kieffer Denning.
8:15-8:30 Break
8:30-10:00 Seminar
Saturday Feb. 29, 1999
Field Trip Option: Tacoma Art Museum, = Towards An American Identity
Storytelling Performance by Rebecca Chamberlain, = 1:00, 3:00.
Assignments:
Reading Due March 3, 1999
CCC Reader:
Louise Steinman. The Knowing Body: The Artist as Storyteller In = Contemporary Performance. p. 103-130.
Angela Carter, The Old Wives Fairy Tale Book (or other work). = (pages vii-1, Mr. Fox, Keep Your Secrets, Now I Should Laugh If I Were = Not Dead, The Armless Maiden, The Juniper Tree, Nature=92s Ways).
On-Line Seminar Topic: TBA
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Nine
People think in terms of stories. They understand the world in = terms of stories that they have already understood. New events or = problems are understood by reference to old previously understood = stories and explained to others by the use of stories. We understand = personal problems and relationships between people through stories that = typify those situations. We also understand just about everything else = this
way as well. Scientists have prototypical scientific success = and failure stories that they use to help them with new problems. = Historians have their favorite stories in terms of which they understand = and explain the world. Stories are very basic to the human thinking = process. Roger Schank
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00-9:00 pm. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, March 3, 1999
6:00-6:15 Introductions
6:15-8:15 Plato Lecture: Evelyn Messinger / Internews
(Telling Stories Face to Face using computers).
8:15-8:30 Break
8:30-10:00 All Group Seminar
Saturday & Sunday, March 7 & 8, 1999
Field Trip Option: Tacoma Art Museum, Towards An = American Identity
Storytelling Performance by CCC Students: 2:00.
Assignments:
Reading Due March 10, 1999
Angela Carter, The Old Wives Fairy Tale Book (or other work). = Read 15 stories of your choice.
In-Class Seminar Topic: TBA
________________________________________________________= ___
Week Ten
Human experience cannot be cabined into the structure of = narrative.
Alan M. Dershowitz
Monday Computer Workshop 6:00 =96 9:00 p.m. Topic: TBA Scott = Gruenemeier
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
6:00-6;15 Introduction
6:15-8:30 Student Presentations
8:30-8:45 Break
8:45-10:00 Seminar
Assignments:
Final Preparations For Group Presentation
Portfolio due
Self and Faculty Evaluations Due: Make three copies, sign them, and = place in portfolio.
Saturday, March 13, 1999
9:00- 11:00 Student Presentations
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:30 Student Presentations
12:30-1:00 POTLUCK LUNCH
1:00-1:45 Program Debriefing; Preview Of Spring Quarter
1:45-2:00 Break
2:00-5:00 Plato Lecture: Laura Simms