FYS 101B: The Internet and the Humanities

A class discussion forum or "list," as it is usually called, enables participants to ask questions and exchange thoughts and information with everyone else in the class via e-mail. When you send a message to the list, it is automatically distributed to all the list members. On the fys101b list, you can

• follow up on discussions started in class
• call the class's attention to web sites and other resources that you feel are really useful
• ask questions about the reading ("Does anyone understand what Barthes means by the 'the infinite deferment of the signified'?")
• mention other books, films, and/or current events that seem relevant to what we're reading
• respond to your classmates' messages.
• I can use the list to let everyone know about sudden schedule or assignment changes. You should try to check your email at least once each day.

Once you have an e-mail account, you can subscribe to the class list for FYS 101B by sending an email message to listproc@listproc.umbc.edu. In the body of the message, type in lower case subscribe fys101b Your Name, replacing "Your Name" with your actual name. Please note that only students enrolled in FYS 101B may subscribe to the list.

Because this course is about the Internet, all students will be expected to participate in the class list. Indeed, your participation will count for 15% of your final grade. Here is a rough idea of how I will assess your participation:

• Frequent and insightful participation = A
• Reasonably frequent participation that is often insightful = B
• Reasonably frequent participation, but not thoughtful or informed = C
• Infrequent participation (fewer than 8 times in the semester) = D
• Not joining/participating in the class list = F

Obviously, the above doesn't cover all possibilities, but it should provide some general guidelines. We will discuss the class list at more length in class. If you have questions not answered in class, please don't hesitate to e-mail me. Here's how..

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