1. Project options
1.1. Empirical investigation and report (e.g., survey, citation analysis, content analysis). Example 1: Update and extend the graphs in the Pierce paper (update to most recent data, extend to new media, comment on patterns). Example 2. Set up and operate a MUD/MOO, or wiki and collect and analyze user behavior. Example 3. Case study of an online community. Example 4. Assessment/comparison of a set of websites

1.2. Original presentation/construction in a non-print medium (e.g., video, online): This category is most flexible and meant to stimulate innovative communication expressions. For the purposes of evaluation, the instructor may involve class input or advice from experts outside the class but will be solely responsible for the assigned grade.

1.3. Scholarly paper: students are encouraged to think broadly when proposing topics, example topics include (strictly to suggest the range of topics) electronic publishing, history of telephonic communication, multi-linguality in the WWW, biological communication (e.g., DNA), mental telepathy, literacy in an electronic age, etc. This may be tied to Master’s papers.

Students interested in Options 3.1 and 3.2 are encouraged to form small teams (2-4) and produce a collaborative project.

2. Oral presentations/descriptions of the project will take place on December 7. Each project will have 10-15 minutes to informally describe the work.

5. All projects must be approved by the instructor. Project ideas will be presented in the third week (Sept. 14) and commitments will be presented at the beginning of the sixth week (Oct. 5).