Reading Schedule for
Straight Talk About the Information Superhighway

We will read and respond to this book much like we did Virtual Communities.

Since Straight Talk is not as theoretically dense as Virtual Communities, and since it is printed in larger type with more white space and graphics, and because some of the information is redundant of some of the ideas that appeared in Virtual Communities, we will read more pages per night, but I suspect it won't take much more time to read than Virtual Communities.

The Reading Schedule

The reading schedule is as follows (note that, based on feedback from the class, I've made deadlines for 9am rather than midnight):

Responding to Readings

One of the reasons I chose this book for the course is the end of chapter interviews with nationally prominent commentators on the information superhighway. In addition to factual information about the infopike, Straight Talk also introduces many of the controversial issues that have arisen concerning the pike. This book, in conjunction with Virtual Communities, serves as a warm-up and thought provoker for Project III in which we will examine a controversial issue and write argumentative essays about that issue. As you are reading, therefore, keep your eyes and ears open for an issue about the information superhighway that you find particularly bothersome or interesting that can serve as the basis of your next paper.

For each CHAPTER (as opposed to each combination of chapters assigned for each reading day), write a 300-400 reaction to the chapter in which you summarize the major ideas AND respond to the end of chapter interview by either agreeing, disagreeing , or somehow critiquing the point of view or ideas of the commentator. Be sure to offer reasons why you agree or disagree. Mail your response to infohighway@umich.edu.

Also, it is to your benefit to read all the responses to all the chapters offered your classmates. If you find a response that brings up ideas you hadn't thought of or with which you disagree, send the person an e-mail message stating your opposition. Also, I would hope that by sharing these on-line, we will rise to the highest quality. So, when you read your peers' responses, compare yours to the longest, most detailed ones, think of how yours compares, and if your responses don't appear to be of equal quality, strive to deepen your responses.

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Modified: 3/4/95