1. Project reports/presentations are due April 29.
2. Paper-based reports are limited to 15 pages and must follow a publication style of your choice (e.g., American Psychological Association).

3. Project options
3.1. empirical investigation and report (e.g., survey, citation analysis, content analysis): if citation or content analysis is chosen, substantial detail beyond the basic assignment is expected.  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, collect and analyze user behavior.  Example 3.  Case study of an online community.

3.2. research proposal: this could be a proposal for actual submission for funding, a Master’s paper or dissertation proposal, or a work-related proposal.

3.3. 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.

3.4. 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.

Students interested in Options 3.1 and 3.3 are encouraged to form small teams (2-3) and produce a collaborative project.

4. Oral presentations/descriptions of the project will take place on April 27 & 29.  Each project will have 5-10 minutes to informally describe the work.

5. All projects must be approved by the instructor.  Project ideas will be presented at the end of the second week (Jan. 14 ) and commitments will be presented at the end of the fifth week (Feb. 4).