106-219 Literature, Cyberspace & Virtual Reality

Usually 12.5 points of first year English.

This subject provides an introduction to recent accounts of the virtual, virtual reality and cyberspace, and of the implications of these phenomena for our understanding of the self, the body, performance and literature. Drawing examples from printed books, hypertext novels, email, film, virtual art and the internet, it studies some of the diverse relations in contemporary culture between fictional and 'virtual' realities, belief and the 'suspension of disbelief', print and digital media, the actual and the virtual. The view (widely held in the 1980s and 1990s) that new digital media herald the death of the author, of narrative and of the book, will be juxtaposed with more recent accounts that describe a less apocalyptic, more dynamic, relation between 'old' and 'new' media, genres, and forms. This subject aims to help prepare students for reading, writing and performing in cultures where the virtual and the actual have converged.

• acquire skills in research through competent use of library, and other (including online) information sources and through the successful definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• acquire skills in critical thinking and analysis through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the questioning of accepted wisdom and the ability to shape and strengthen persuasive judgments and arguments; through attention to detail in reading material; and through openness to new ideas and the development of critical self-awareness;

• acquire skills in theoretical thinking through use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through a productive engagement with relevant methodologies and paradigms in literary studies and the broader humanities;

• acquire skills in creative thinking through essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the innovative conceptualizing of problems and an appreciation of the role of creativity in critical analysis;

• acquire skills in social, ethical and cultural understanding through the use of recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion; through the social contextualisation of arguments and judgments; through adaptations of knowledge to new situations and openness to new ideas; through the development of critical self-awareness in relation to an understanding of other cultures and practices;

• acquire skills in intelligent and effective communication of knowledge and ideas through essay preparation, planning and writing as well as tutorial discussion; through effective dissemination of ideas from recommended reading and other relevant information sources; through clear definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research; through confidence to express ideas in public forums;

• acquire skills in time management and planning through the successful organization of workloads; through disciplined self-direction and the ability to meet deadlines.

An essay of 1500 words 40% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2500 words 60% (due at the end of the semester).

A subject reader including Virtual Art - Charlotte Davies,

• Jorge Luis Borges, Labyrinths.
• Philip Dick, The Man in the High Castle.
• William Gibson, Neuromancer.
• Lev Grossman, Codex.
• Richard Power, Plowing the Dark.
• Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash.
• Hypertext 1995: Jackson/Shelley, Patchwork Girl.
• Hypertext 1990: Michael Joyce, Afternoon, a story.
• Hypertext 1997: Michael Joyce, Twelve Blue.
• Film: Wachowski, Andy & Larry (1999), The Matrix.
• Email (Email archive), Cybermind).