NETIQUETTE

If you don't know what "Netiquette" is, it is a neologism (you'll have to use a dictionary if you don't know what that word is) for etiquette while on the Internet.  You can read lots more about netiquette by doing a search for the word with your favorite search engine (I prefer www.google.com).  Keep these rules of politeness in mind when you communicate in Cyberspace.  Though these notes are intended for our class discussion board, they apply to e-mail messages, too. 

1. Discussion Threads: The idea of the discussion list is to have an ongoing chain or "thread" of discussions with the members of your class. Each week, I will post topics to the discussion board relevant to the material we are covering for that week. The discussion board works best when you respond to one another's comments and ideas, for that is its purpose.  Please check the discussion board regularly (at least 3 times a week) for new postings.  (That is part your responsibility as a student in this course!)

2. Audience: When you COMPOSE a new posting or REPLY to a posting, keep in mind who your audience is. Your posting won't be read just by me, Prof. Chiang-Schultheiss, but also by the entire class. Bear in mind that your audience is heterogeneous, with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, different political and religious beliefs, and just different experiences in general.  Be sensitive not to deliberately offend anyone, but be sure to express your own opinions as well.

3. Language: While my role as the instructor is not to censor material, use good taste in your language.  I'm not offended by swearing or profanity, but before you use it on the discussion board, really consider whether it is the appropriate place and time for it.  Be aware that other students might be sensitive to the language you use.  Slang is a natural language to slip into, for the writing on discussion boards and in e-mails tends to be casual.  But remember that you are trying to reach the widest audience possible and slang has the tendency to exclude people who don't understand it.  Since the classroom discussion board takes on a slightly more formal tone than public forums on the Net, use caution before using slang.  Believe it or not, you actually DO want to come off sounding educated in the discussion forums because of the setting you are in.

4. Capital letters: Remember that typing in all upper case letters means that you are shouting in your message.  You don't write essays this way, so don't post messages in this fashion either.  Besides, messages written in upper case are a strain on the eyes.

5. Flaming: Disagreements are fine since we all bring a different points of view to the class, but give your classmates the same respect as you would in the classroom.  Avoid "flaming" or publicly attacking someone for their point of view.  It might backfire and happen to you.

6. Lurking: Don't "lurk"--that means that you are just reading the messages without posting any comments or replies. Besides, part of your grade depends upon your active participation.