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Saved by Caroline Kelley
on January 25, 2009 at 6:14:47 pm
 

 

Electronic Literature: A Hopeful Monster, A Trading Zone

An Interactive/Interdependent HUMlab Workshop (2008 - 2009)

with Caroline Kelley and Cecilia Lindhé

Dates and times TBD

In the first chapter of N. Katherine Hayles new book Electronic Literature: New Horizons for the Literary (2008) she outlines some of the features of electronic literature, declaring that it is "generally considered to exclude print literature that has been digitized, is by contrast ‘digital born,’ a first-generation digital object created on a computer and (usually) meant to be read on a computer" (3).  In crafting her definition, Hayles also takes into consideration The Electronic Literature Organization’s influential definition of the new field.  This inclusive classification allows for work performed in digital media as well as work produced on a computer but published in print.  As Hayles states, the ELO committee embraces: "work with an important literary aspect that takes advantage of the capabilities and contexts provided by the stand-alone or networked computer" (Electronic Literature, 3). 

However, the ELO formulation raises some questions – especially in regards to the diverse functions and contexts of the computer in relation to e literature – forcing us to consider the transformative nature of computer technology as well as the assorted ways this technology is employed (by writers, artists, academics, etc.).  The definition is also somewhat rhetorical in that it relies on its reader’s implicit understanding of what is meant by an "important literary aspect" (Hayles, Electronic Literature, 3).  Nonetheless, the use of rhetorical or tautological statements is understandable if we take into account the path that electronic literature takes as it follows hundreds of years of print literature and the more ancient traditions of manuscript writing and, prior to this, oral history transmission.  As a result, a preponderance of e literature readers – especially those new to the field – approach it with strong preconceptions formed by print culture.  Electronic literature must metastasize and modify these expectations. 

Finally – as electronic literature is generally developed (and "performed") in the framework of networked and programmable media, it is strongly informed by computer games, films, animation, digital art, graphic design, and electronic visual culture.  In this sense, electronic literature is a "hopeful monster" (as geneticists label adaptive mutations) composed of parts from a variety of traditions – that may not fit neatly together.  Intrinsically hybrid, electronic literature becomes a "trading zone" (as Peter Galison calls it in a different context) where diverse vocabularies, expertises, and expectations intermingle (Hayles, Electronic Literature, 4). 

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We have temporarily adopted Hayles’ terms "hopeful monster" and "trading zone" as qualifying elements of the workshop title but would like the group to suggest alternatives as the workshop progresses – and we encourage everyone to make any suggestions or changes in the workshop wiki. 

Speaking of the wiki, we also envision an interactive and interdependent workshop that is somewhat experimental.  While we (Caroline and Cecilia) might be the "conveners" of the workshop, we hope everyone will take an active role in planning sessions, participating in group discussions, and "presenting" or "performing" their own work (or a relevant topic of interest). 

In designing the workshop, we want to explore different ways of "doing" the workshop or seminar that might be less traditional – drawing on educational theories that could also be used in our classroom teaching.  To be more specific, we hope this workshop will be a space to try "reflective practice" as well as to some degree "cooperative or participatory learning."  This may be different from our prior experiences of workshops or seminars where information is "transmitted" from a speaker or a lecturer to participants and there is a well-defined body of knowledge to absorb (and to discuss or regurgitate).  We want to attempt to move away from this structure and to create an opportunity to reflect – as a group – on what we are reading and discussing as well as our diverse knowledges and experiences.  That is, we hope to facilitate a "community of practice" where we inquire together into the subject of Electronic Literature, support and contribute to one another’s process of learning and understanding, and generate knowledge collectively.  Within the space of the workshop, everyone will be a learner and have an opportunity to share their knowledge – and to actively contribute to the direction the workshop takes.  Ideally, our intent as facilitators is not to "deliver content" but to create a space that will strengthen our capacities for critical inquiry, our understandings of the new field of Electronic Literature and inspire us to reflect on our own approaches to teaching and learning.  Much like the emergent field we plan to discuss, we will experiment with newer ways of accessing knowledge.  We hope everyone will understand that we are trying them out; some may work and others we may not. 

One of the elements of our participatory approach is the workshop wiki – mentioned above – which is hosted by PB Wiki.  Everyone will have writer status and is encouraged to produce and edit content, make suggestions (i.e., session topics or themes, reading, online resources, etc.), and help organize it. 

Our first workshop session on 15 December will consist of a series of informal introductions – to the subject of Electronic Literature, to the idea of reflective practice (and cooperative or participatory learning) and to each other.  The work of Hayles – highlighted above – and others will be included in our overview of the field and we will display some examples of contemporary e literature.  Finally, we hope to talk about themes for the next workshop session in January 2009 as well as directions the workshop might take.

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