This course makes the following assumptions that may run counter to some people's views about literature,
computer technology, and feminism. Complaints are not accepted by the management of this website.
That feminists must learn to utilize all knowledge-making
tools available to them in order to retain any momentum in the quest for
equality. There is no utopia in ignorance, and subjugationof women always
occurs when men are the sole masters of technological tools. Parity with
men will not occur unless we take control of the technologies that shape
our world. Thus, technofeminism is not *a* feminism but a subfield of all
other feminismS.
That knowledge of computer technology is necessary
for survival in contemporary society. Just as we need to be able to read
critically and discern effectively books, newspapers, radio, and television
in order to gain an understanding of the world around us, we need to read
critically and discern effectively email, the WWW, newsgroups, and chat
spaces for the very same reason. Thus, any definition of literacy
today must include *computer* literacy.
That literature is a broad term not easily defined.
The notion of literariness has changed through time depending on the mood,
temperament, and socio-politico-historical influences. Literature not only
reflects but shapes the values of the audience who read it. Literature and
literariness evolve; they are not are. Thus, email, websites, MOOlogs
are *new* forms of literature worthy of exploration.