Applied English Information Science Fall 99
Class Homepage	Schedule
Exploring CyberCulture

         

1. Introduction

2. Preparing to Read

3. Reading

4. Discussion

5. Quiz

In this activity, we will learn about community and culture on the Web. To learn this information we will use the Web to listen, read and write. You are responsible for the information that you learn - there will be a test on it later.

To start, click on the audio link below. The text of the audio introduction is included below. When you are finished, move to #2.

Audio Introduction (click on the icon)

Text of the audio introduction:

In this session, we are going to explore the definition of cyberculture. To begin, let's take a look at this word.

The first part of this word cyberculture is "cyber." Cyber is a term that has come to be associated with the internet. It is most often used in the word "cyberspace", which is a term that represents the network of computers connected by telephone lines that we call the internet.

The second part of the word "cyberculture" is culture. This is a word that is more familiar, but which can have a variety of meanings depending on who is using it and for what purpose. For example, in a popular sense, culture can mean "acquaintance with and taste in fine arts or humanities" or "enlightenment and excellence of taste acquired by intellectual training." (Britannica Online) On the other hand, if used by scientists working in a laboratory, it could mean "cultivation of living material in prepared lab; also: a product of such cultivation." (Britannica Online)

However, in a more anthropological or scientific sense, culture defines the complex set of beliefs, values, behaviors, symbols, and artifacts that are shared by a particular group. Below are some definitions of this use of the word "culture:"

A. "the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations;
Britannica Online

B. "By culture we mean all those historically created designs for living, explicit and implicit, rational, irrational, and nonrational, which exist at any given time as potential guides for the behavior of men."
Kluckhohn, C., & Kelly, W.H. (1945). "The concept of culture." In R. Linton (Ed.). The Science of Man in the World Culture. New York. (pp. 78-105).

C. "Culture has been defined in a number of ways, but most simply, as the learned and shared behavior of a community of interacting human beings" (p. 169).
Useem, J., & Useem, R. (1963). Human Organizations, 22(3).

D. "The acquired knowledge that people use to interpret experience and generate social behavior."
Spradley, James P. (1979) The Ethnographic Interview. pg. 5.

In all these definitions, the general understanding is that culture is shared knowledge and experience. Therefore, to define cyberculture we might say that it is:

the common knowledge and experience shared by those who participate in the interconnected online communities of the internet.

We are going to look more closely at cyberculture. You will be reading an article introducing the concept of cyberculture. Before you do that, you will spend some time becoming acquainted with some key concepts and vocabulary. Study these carefully before you read. In addition, you will be presented with some comprehension questions. As you read, look for the answers to these questions. When you have finished reading, you will have an opportunity to answer the comprehension questions and submit them to the professor by email. Following this, there will be some discussion questions for you to answer on our class discussion page. Each step in the session is numbered. At the top of the page is a link to all the steps to help you navigate more easily. At any time, if you have questions please ask Prof. Gregory - in person or by email.

Let's begin.

Go on to #2.....

Vocabulary

servers (noun) computers that provide information over a network	thrive (verb) to grow vigorously	interface (noun)the place at which independent systems meet and act on or communicate with each other (verb) to connect by means of an interface	virtual (adjective) something that is hypothetical - not real, but seems real
diverse (adjective) different	shallow (adjective) not deep or complicated; simple	vary (verb) to change (adjective - varying) different	segments (noun) parts or pieces of something
dynamic (adjective) a lot of energy or excitement	posture (verb) to project a particular identity or status	replete (adjective) full of	curmudgeon (noun) a bad-tempered old man - Note: this term is not widely used in contemporary speech or writing
flux (noun) a condition or constant movement or change	dimension (noun) an element or property of something	intimidate (verb) to threaten or make someone afraid	reinvent (verb) to invent something again Note: "re" is a prefix that usually means "again"
incorporate (verb) to combine things together	induction (noun) beginning or start of something	dominate (verb) to control someone or something	innovation (verb - innovate) to do something differently (noun - innovation) something that is new or different
evolve (verb) to change from one form to another	mainstream (adjective) that which is common to most people; not unusual	computer-mediated communication communicate that happens by means of a computer - mediate means to act as an agent	telecommute (verb) a new word that means to work for a company at your home by means of a networked computer
feeble (adjective) weak; inadequate	academic circles (noun) circles in this case means a group of people sharing a common interest. An academic circle would be a collection of people involved in academics, such as professors or students.	perennial (adjective) continuing without interruption	facet (noun) a part of something
conflate (verb) to bring together	ascertain (verb) to make certain or sure of something	Look for these words in the text of the reading. Refer to this list as you read so that you can learn the words in context.

Study the vocabulary words and then practice them, using this online crossword puzzle:

Now, go on to #3......

Audio Summary of The Article (click on the icon)

Text of the audio summary:

In this article, David Silver provides an overview of cyberculture. He describes cyberculture as being broad, deep and in a constant state of flux.

When he says that cyberculture is broad, he means that it extends throughout the world and across the entire internet. When he says that cyberculture is deep, he means that it includes a wide variety of communication, including email messages, websites, chat rooms, etc. When he says that cyberculture is in a constant state of flux, he means that it is always changing and changing very quickly.

In the article, he defines cyberculture as a collection of cultures and cultural products that exist on and are made possible by the internet, along with the stories told about these cultures and cultural products.

He also gives examples of the kinds of elements that make up cyberculture.

When you read the article, look for answers to the following comprehension questions. Please send your answers to these questions to Prof. Gregory at wgregory@willamette.edu. Make sure to include your name and your email address.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the author mean when he says cyberculture "thrives where users meet within the wires and upon the interfaces?"

2. What is a virtual system?

3. What kinds of communicative practices can take place in cyberculture? Explain what they mean?

4. Why is cyberculture in flux?

5. Choose some of the facets of cyberculture and explain what you think they mean?

Reading: Introducing Cyberculture - by David Silver.

Resource Center for CyberCulture Studies

When you send a message to this address, everyone in the class will get a copy. I'd like for you to each begin by answering the following questions by email. Send your email to: 99fallinfosci2@tiua.edu

For the subject, put "Cyberculture."

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you consider yourself part of cyberculture? Why or why not? How involved do you want to be.

2. What do you most want to know and/or experience about cyberculture during this course?

Remember that a discussion requires interaction. Once everyone has made comments, I expect everyone to respond to the comments and conduct a real discussion using email - just as if we were in a classroom or sitting together over coffee in the Bistro.