ENL-491-02 :: SPATIALITY / VIRTUALITY

I. INTRODUCTION
This class is an exploration of theories of space, both real and virtual, drawing on the work of contemporary cultural critics, architects, urban planners and artists. The class meets on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the E-Crit Laboratory (Briggs 245). Readings for the class range from texts by Michel Foucault and Fredric Jameson to Rem Koolhaas and William J. Mitchell. The course also introduces students to microcontroller programming and circuit building, which are the basis for one of the course assignments. Other assignments include a research essay on surveillance technologies.

II. REQUIREMENTS
All students in the class must have UDM ftp and e-mail accounts if they do not have them already. These will be arranged by the professor during the first week of class. A great deal of class discussion is expected to take place on the E-Crit Listserv (join here), and participation on the listserv will be graded. The required textbook for this class is a course pack assembled by Professor O'Gorman, which can be purchased in the Liberal Arts office. See the schedule for additional details. All students will be given a pass key to Briggs 245 (E-Crit Lab) and 110 (Mac Lab) for the duration of the term.