II. Nature of the Medium

• 3 (7 Feb) -- Homework 2 due;
• 4 (14 Feb) -- Homework 3 due;
• 5 (23 Feb) -- Homework 4 due;
• 6 (28 Feb) -- Paper due: What has the literature NOT told us about the nature of communication in a computer- mediated communication context? Write a paper that presents a researchable question or hypothesis about the medium of CMC or discourse taking place on it and that describes how you'd go about exploring/testing it.

Nature of the text

• Heim, M. (1987). Electric language. New Haven: Yale University Press. Chapter 7: pp. 192-224.
• Tuman, M., Chapters 2 and 3: pp. 23 - 80.
• Wilkins, H. (1991). Computer talk: Long-distance conversations by computer. Written Communication, 8, 56-78.
• Ferrara, K., Brunner, H., & Whittemore, G. (1991). Interactive written discourses as an emergent register. Written Communication, 8, 8-34.

Nature of CMC relationships

• Siegel, J. Dubrovsky, V. Kiesler, S., & McGuire, T. W. (1986). Group processes in computer-mediated communication. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 37, 157-187.
• Trevino, L. K., Lengel, R. H., & Daft, R. L. (1987). Media symbolism, media richness, and media choice in organizations. Communication Research, 14, 553-574.
• Schmitz, J., & Fulk, J. (1991). Organizational colleagues, media richness, and electronic mail: A test of the social influence model of technology use. Communication Research, 18, 487-523.
• Fulk, J., Schmitz, J.A., & Schwarz, D. (1992). The dynamics of context-behavior interactions in computer-mediated communication. In M. Lea (Ed.) Contexts of computer-mediated communication(pp. 7--29). London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
• Lea, M., O'Shea, T., Fung, P., & Spears, R. (1992). Flaming in computer mediated communication. In M. Lea (Ed.) Contexts of computer-mediated communication (pp. 89-112). London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
• Walther, J. (1992). Interpersonal effects in computer-mediated interaction: A relational perspective. Communication Research, 19, 52-90.

How to use the medium in research

Short presentation and discussion.

Next Course Section: Contexts of CMC