Dark Academia Syllabus

Eilif Peterssen, Absorbed In His Studies (1874) INSTRUCTOR COURSE OVERVIEW E. Paige Miller, PhD [email protected] English 1102 introduces students to rhetorical principles and multimodal composition through individual and collaborative projects that employ Written, Oral, Visual, Electronic, and Nonverbal (WOVEN) modes. The primary goal of this course is for students develop as effective communicators and researchers by analyzing and composing a diverse range of multimodal artifacts. OFFICE LOCATION CLASS MEETINGS EMAIL Skiles 323 SECTION TIME LOCATION N9 T/R, 12:30-1:45 Hall 103 D7 T/R, 2:00-3:15 Swann 106 H7 T/R, 3:30-4:45 Swann 115 OFFICE HOURS Tues 10-12 and by appt. COURSE DESCRIPTION In this section, you will employ WOVEN modes as we explore the hallowed halls of Dark Academia. At the intersection of Gothic, fantasy, and science fiction genres, Dark Academia is a literary and social media aesthetic and internet subculture that is concerned with higher education, humanistic inquiry, the arts, and study of the Classics. The subculture gained widespread attention with Donna Tartt’s bestselling novel The Secret History (1992), but its origins can be traced through a range of transhistorical aesthetics from antiquity to nineteenth-century speculative fiction to the rise of the campus novel in the 1930s and 40s. With Dark Academia as a thematic lens, we will increase our understanding of multimodal communication practices that define our contemporary moment. You will survey and critically examine works of fiction, poetry, art, and film as well as social media aesthetics. Examining these texts, we will ask a series of questions: why has Dark Academia resonated recently in online communities? How do diverse writers and readers make use of tropes in Dark Academia? Why do critiques of and offered by Dark Academia matter? What are the possibilities and limitations of such aesthetics in diverse university settings? These questions will guide us in the multimodal artifacts you compose. REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS • • • • WOVENText, 2022-23 Edition (Required for ENGL 1101 and 1102) Donna Tartt, The Secret History* (ISBN: 978-1400031702) Additional readings posted on Canvas Laptop, tablet, or notebook for daily in-class writing *The Secret History Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a long novel, and it can be a challenging but rewarding reading experience. Since ENGL 1102 is a composition course, the emphasis will always be on your development as effective multimodal communicators, not necessarily readers, although the two go together. You have many options for how you “read” the text. You may choose to read the physical book or eBook version. You may also follow along with the audiobook narrated by the author. If English is not your first language, you’re welcome to consult a translation (the novel has been translated into 24 languages!). You may not rely solely, however, on summaries or other reading guides. Spring 2023 Page 2 APPROACH TO THE COURSE This class combines in-class discussions, workshops, small-group activities, and presentations; formal lectures will be kept to a minimum. The success of the course depends on the active and respectful engagement and participation of all class members. Class time may include activities such as discussion of readings or assignments, in-class writing exercises, small-group peer review sessions, collaborative workshops, oral presentations, guest speakers, watching videos, and listening to podcasts. As we conduct scholarly investigation and engage in critical thinking about class topics, we will often entertain many different opinions about a text or perspective; please be considerate of others’ contributions and viewpoints. This course aims to support all students’ individual learning. There is always a way to participate in the course to benefits your development as a scholar at Georgia Tech. If you would like to request modifications to assignments, please meet with me individually to discuss options. EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES In addition to the course outcomes for all ENGL 1102 courses listed in the Common Policies, this course includes the following outcomes: • • • • • Rhetoric: Create purposeful, audience-directed artifacts that present well-organized, well-supported, well-designed arguments using appropriate conventions of written, oral, visual, and/or nonverbal communication. Process: Use recursive strategies, including planning, drafting, critiquing, revising, publishing/presenting, and reflecting confidently. Multimodality: Develop competence in major communication modalities (WOVEN) and understand that modalities work synergistically. Collaboration: Be productive in communities of practice—for example, as readers and critics, as team members and leaders—balancing their individual and collaborative responsibilities Critical Thinking: Systematically analyze and question information in a manner that identifies and evaluates problems, processes, values, assumptions, and arguments in order to reach understanding, determine solutions, and initiate actions. Trinity College Dublin Library Spring 2023 Page 3 PROJECTS AND ASSIGNMENTS You will receive a detailed assignment guidelines for each major project. The Writing and Communication Program uses a Common Feedback Chart (Rubric), which will be used to evaluate assignments in English 1102. Artifact 0: Common First Week Video (5%) This assignment a program-wide requirement for all students enrolled in ENGL 1101 and 1102. You will create a 60-90 second video to introduce yourself, identify the course you are taking, and articulate a challenge you anticipate facing this semester in ENGL 1102. Artifact 1: Multimodal Essay (15%) Deliverables: close reading, article summary, first draft, peer review, essay, reflection For Artifact One, you will write a multimodal essay on the topic of your choosing. You will research a topic related to our primary text and the Dark Academia aesthetic. Artifact 2: Podcast (20%) Deliverables: group work agreement and proposal, audio software review, first drafts, script, logo, peer review, podcast, reflection, collaboration evaluation For Artifact Two, you will collaborate in groups to record a podcast episode that focuses on myths of the university. Artifact 3: Group Website (20%) Deliverables: group work agreement and proposal, website review, first draft, peer review, website, reflection, collaboration evaluation Building on your previous artifacts, you will create a class website to feature your blog posts, podcasts, and other work from the course. Final Portfolio (20%) For the culminating assignment in English 1102, you will finalize and submit a multimodal reflective portfolio in lieu of a final exam. For your multimodal reflective portfolio, you select evidence from your body of work produced in the course, provide a context for this evidence, and describe the ways in which the evidence supports your argument that you have grown as a communicator. Guided Discussions (10%) Once in the semester, you will lead a class discussion on the assigned reading and topic of your choice related to the course theme. After your guided discussion, you will submit a short summary of your discussion, including your main points, keywords, discussion questions, and your peer’s responses. The guided discussion can be conducted individually or in small groups (no more than three) depending on availability. You will sign up at the beginning of the semester. Participation (10%) The criteria for participation include active engagement in class, frequent contribution in discussions, completion of in-class writing, participation in peer reviews and workshops, and completion of all reading and homework assignments before the beginning of class. Spring 2023 Page 4 ASSESSMENT Artifact 0: Common First Week Video POINTS % COURSE GRADE 50 5% • • Artifact 1: Multimodal Research Essay 150 15% • • Artifact 2: Podcast Process documents: 5 Video: 45 Process documents: 50 Essay: 100 200 20% • • Artifact 3: Group Website Process documents: 100 Podcast: 100 200 20% • • Process documents: 100 Website: 100 Final Portfolio 200 20% Guided Discussion 100 10% Participation 100 10% Total 1000 100% GRADE A: 90-100 PERFORMACE Superior performance—rhetorically, aesthetically, and technically—demonstrating advanced understanding and use of the media in particular contexts. An inventive spark and exceptional execution. B: 80-89 Above-average, high-quality performance—rhetorically, aesthetically, and technically. C: 70-79 Average (not inferior) performance. Competent and acceptable—rhetorically, aesthetically, and technically. D: 60-69 Below-average performance. Less than competent— rhetorically, aesthetically, and/or technically. F: 0-59 Unacceptable performance. Failure to meet even minimum criteria rhetorically, aesthetically, and/or technically. Note: Every major assignment must be completed to pass the course. Spring 2023 Page 5 COURSE POLICIES Attendance Attendance and participation are essential to success in courses in the Writing and Communication Program. Because of this, you are expected to attend class in person. Not attending a scheduled class session in-person results in an absence. There may be times when you cannot or should not attend class, such as if you are not feeling well, have an interview, or have family responsibilities. Therefore, this course allows a specified number of absences without penalty, regardless of reason. After that, penalties accrue. Exceptions are allowed for Institute-approved absences (for example, those documented by the Registrar) and situations such as hospitalization or family emergencies (documented by the Office of the Dean of Students). Your instructor can communicate with you about how to access materials or make up work you may have missed during your absence or suggest ways to participate in class remotely and/or asynchronously. Students may miss a total of four (4) classes over the course of the semester without penalty. Each additional absence after the allotted number deducts 2% from a student’s final grade. Late Assignments Artifacts are due by 11:59 PM on the date stated on the course schedule, unless stated otherwise. Assignments submitted late without previous approval will not be accepted and will result in a lowered letter grade. If you are unable to meet a deadline, you may receive an extension if you 1) contact me before the assignment is due and explain the reason for the delay, and 2) propose a reasonable deadline for submission of the work, which you then keep. Oral presentations and the final portfolio are excluded from this option. Emergencies will be dealt with on an individual basis. Late is generally better than never, but I am not obligated to accept late work. Any assignment that is not submitted will receive a “0” and be averaged with the rest of your grades. Missing and Missed Assignments Except for your absences officially exempted by the Institute or exceptional and unanticipated situations, I do not allow students to make up missed in-class assignments or presentations. Missing work counts as a “0.” Conferences I encourage you to meet me during my office hours (Skiles 323, Tues. 10-12) or by appointment. Students will be notified if I am unavailable during my regular office hours. You should schedule at least one individual and one team appointment during the semester to review your progress. If you cannot make a scheduled appointment, please contact me by email. Common Policies The Writing and Communication Program has common, program-wide policies. You can access these common Writing and Communication Program policies on Canvas. You are required to acknowledge that you have read, understood, and intend to comply with these policies. Spring 2023 Page 6 COURSE SCHEDULE The information in the syllabus is subject to change. Students will be notified of any changes in writing. WT = WOVENText TSH = The Secret History DATE SUBJECT HOMEWORK T, 1/10 Introduction to the Course Read WOVENText (18-21) Read and sign syllabus R, 1/12 What is WOVEN? Artifact 0 due S, 1/15 Read NY Times, Academia Lives…On TikTok Read WT, Ch. 3 (32-34) T, 1/17 R, 1/19 What is Dark Academia? Read The Secret History, Prologue Artifact 0 In-class Reflection Read WT, Ch. 6, “How Do You Start a Multimodal Project” (91-99); Ch. 12 “WOVEN Artifacts: Written” (200-04) The Secret History, Prologue Read TSH, Ch. 1(7-45) Starting a Multimodal Project T, 1/24 The Secret History, Ch. 1 Read TSH, Ch. 2 (46-103) R, 1/26 The Secret History, Ch. 2 Read WT, “Working with Multimodal Assets and Sources” (119-41) T, 1/31 Multimodal Writing Read TSH, Ch. 3 (104-135) Read WT, Ch. 10, “Finalizing Drafts for Your Primary Audience” and “Peer Reviewing Multimodal Projects” (17479) R, 2/2 The Secret History, Ch. 3 Artifact 1 Draft due S, 2/5 Peer Reviewing T, 2/7 Artifact 1 Peer Review Read WT, “Revising Your Multimodal Project” (179-80) R, 2/9 Artifact 1 Workshop Artifact 1 due S, 2/12 Spring 2023 Page 7 T, 2/14 R, 2/16 T, 2/21 No Class Meeting Read TSH, Ch. 4 (136-171) Artifact 1 Reflection due by end of class time Read WT, Ch. 7 “Working with Collaborators” (100-118) The Secret History, Ch. 4 Read TSH, Ch. 5 (172-204) Introduce Artifact 2 Artifact 2 Group Work Agreement Group Sign-ups due S, 2/19 The Secret History, Ch. 5 Read WT, “Podcasts” Ch. 12 (206-210) Listen to Lost in the Stacks, Ep 546: What is Dark Academia? R, 2/23 Visit from Charlie Bennett, Public Engagement Librarian Audio Software Review due S, 2/26 Listen to Once Upon a Time…at Bennington College, Ep. 1: “DisOrientation” It’s Been a Minute: “Dark Academia’s Deadly Allure and the Timeless Appeal of Prep Style” T, 2/28 Podcasts Read TSH, Ch. 5 (204-269) R, 3/2 The Secret History, Ch. 5 Script Draft due S, 3/5 Read TSH, Ch. 6 (275-319) T, 3/7 The Secret History, Ch. 6 Read TSH, Ch. 6 (320-376) R, 3/9 The Secret History, Ch. 6 Logo Draft R, 3/9 Artifact 2 Draft due S, 3/12 T, 3/14 Artifact 2 Peer Review W, 3/15 Withdrawal Deadline R, 3/16 Artifact 2 Workshop Revise Artifact 2 Artifact 2 due S, 3/19 Read TSH, Ch. 7 (377-420) T, 3/21 Spring Break R, 3/23 Spring Break T, 3/28 Artifact 2 In-Class Reflection and Collaboration Read Ch. 8 (421-460) Evaluation The Secret History, Ch. 7 R, 3/30 The Secret History, Ch. 8 Read TSH, Ch. 8 (460-500) Group Sign-Ups Artifact 3 Group Work Agreement due S, 4/2 T, 4/4 Spring 2023 The Secret History, Ch. 8 Read TSH, Ch. 8 (500-537), Epilogue (543-559) Page 8 R, 4/6 The Secret History, Ch. 8 and Epilogue Artifact 3 Draft due S, 4/9 T, 4/11 Artifact 3 Peer Review Revise Artifact 3 R, 4/13 Artifact 3 Workshop Artifact 3 due S, 4/16 Dress in Dark Academia T, 4/18 Artifact 3 In-class Reflection and Collaboration Evaluation R, 4/20 Final Portfolio Workshop T, 4/25 Final Portfolio Workshop Thurs., 4/27 Final Portfolio due – H7 Mon., 5/1 Final Portfolio due – N9 Tues., 5/2 Final Portfolio due – D7 MAJOR DATES DATE DUE Sun, 1/15 Artifact 0 Sun, 2/12 Artifact 1 Sun, 3/19 Artifact 2 Sun, 4/16 Artifact 3 Thurs., 4/27 Final Portfolio due – H7 Mon., 5/1 Final Portfolio due – N9 Tues., 5/2 Final Portfolio due – D7 Spring 2023 Page 9 STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING Please read, sign, and return these statements to Dr. Paige Miller I affirm that I have read the entire syllabus and Common Policies site for ENGL 1102 and understand the information and the responsibilities specified. _______________________________________________ Print full name _______________________________________________ Legible signature _______________________________________________ Date DIRECTIONS: Read carefully and check all the apply. I give my instructor, Dr. Paige Miller, permission to use copies of the work I do for this course, ENGL 1102, as examples in presentations and in print and electronic publications. I do not want my work used as examples in any situations. If you give permission for your work to be used, please indicate how you want to be acknowledged: Please acknowledge me by my full name. Please use my work, but do not acknowledge me by name. The following information enables me to contact you if your work is used. _________________________________________________________________________ Print full name _________________________________________________________________________ Legible signature _________________________________________________________________________ School email addresses _________________________________________________________________________ Date Spring 2023 Page 10