WINTER 2007: MEDIA & LITERATURE
Course No. YTBCDNLIT 327/4
THE THEORY OF THE YOUTUBE CLASS
An unofficial guide to Can-Lit

Course Description: Watch, study, evaluate and plow through clips on the subject of "Canadian Literature" "Canadian Publishing" "Canadian Authors" "Canadian Books" using the intercontinental vanity campus for promotional and archival content otherwise known as YOUTUBE. Students can interact with video material by writing reviews or uploading their own debate on a variety of topics including book sales and promotion, author interviews, book distribution, the state of book reviewing and Canadian literary content on "the tube". (3 credits)

SAMPLE SOURCE MATERIAL: In the following sample source, students can see an early Leonard Cohen interview from 1966 in regards to the release of his experimental novel BEAUTIFUL LOSERS, or as recently as May 2006 at Indigo in Toronto to support his latest poetry book, BOOK OF LONGING.

LEONARD COHEN – THIS HOUR HAS SEVEN DAYS

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jW18n-nStzU

LEONARD COHEN, INDIGO BOOKS, MAY 2006

http://youtube.com/watch?v=e842XqQAu-Q

STUDENT COMMENTS AND SOURCE MATERIAL
"Professsor Tube was a very good instructor. He presented his material clearly and in an easy to understand manner." PENNY RIESMAN

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A look at the work of DOUGLAS COUPLAND, author of Generationx X, Microfserfs, Life After God, All Families Are Psychotic, Jpod, and more.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_iecpJNbghk

Most people felt that the test structure did not accurately reflect the student’s knowledge of the material. Some felt the clips were too long or incomplete. "I found myself double or triple checking many facts for research assignments." Taylor Rain.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7Kvmz-3OP24

"It’s a bit like an author tracker, in some sense." Chelsea Iambs.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XstOV5absdM

Students did not like the fill in the blanks test. Some students complained of slow download times for certain source materials.

ALICE MUNRO

Another interview from Booklounge, "a rare and candid interview with one of Canada's best-loved authors, as she discusses her reasons for becoming a writer."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rkHtjACeaok

Students felt the essay question on the suitability of Youtube as an accurate representation of Can-Lit inspiring and engaging.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EdMmFuZfRVY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SP5-MLVv4ao

"I found it difficult to get accurate answers. I had questions on the source material. At times the course felt unorganized and random." Edward Anki

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r8bL2lVEdmg

Lovely high quality family friendly propaganda from Canada’s large format bookstore giant.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h5SIONYCuLs

Some found the required material difficult or irrelevant to the lectures. A few students suggested it would have been helpful if there was another evaluation, besides the term test.

ME & IRVING

Barbara Golden spent a couple of weeks shacked up with Irving Layton in Greece. This video was made with iPhoto using snapshots from her collection.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SfvBKpEZtH8

The professor’s PowerPoint presentation of the lectures was regarded highly by all, along with the postings of the notes on the web. "The material in the course is very eclectic and shows the variety of forms of Canadian Literature that is out there to use for paper and general research." Gus Samson.

DUBIOUS TOAST

http://youtube.com/watch?v=J4-qJ-e8Ago

Toasts you’ll never hear.

WRITE THE NATION

http://youtube.com/watch?v=j2CZW4vkPjo

Publishing is in a state of emergency. That's what indie publisher and poet Mingus Tourette says. Luckily he's got the cure: a team of cohorts, a pink ambulance, and a rock 'n' roll cross-Canada tour. He's also hoping to promote his new book "Nunt" along the way

MARGARET ATWOOD LECTURE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Dbrp1tGYsak

The Lavin Agency presents Margaret Atwood, international literary legend and author of The Handmaid's Tale, The Blind Assassin and Moral Disorder ... (more)

THE FIGHTER SHOWDOWN

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dPXfpKxkbUU

October 5th,2006, the first officially sanctioned boxing match between two published authors was thrown down. Craig Davidson (author of The Fighter) challenged any writer to meet him in the ring. He was met by Michael Knox, author of Play out the Match. Produced by Ian Daffern. Edited by Jared Bratt. ... (more)

CONUNDRUM’S EXTREME BOWLING BOOK

In the fall of 2005, Conundrum Press released a quasi non-fiction book on full contact bowling called Bowlbrawl.

View promo trailer. http://youtube.com/watch?v=v41M5kRHeaQ

http://youtube.com/watch?v=97Ba_scM5ZE

http://youtube.com/watch?v=leb3gOqOLFs

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ahUdQd_YtwM

A clip from Ron Mann's documentary, Poetry in Motion (1981)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XstOV5absdM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=R1TbTCDHKRY

Best-selling author John Irving discusses the craft of writing novels. His latest novel, Until I Find You, is published by Random House of Canada.

THE HOCKEY SWEATER – FILM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wyRef3-KvGo

Based on the classic story by Roch Carrier.

Nathaniel G. Moore is the features editor of TDR and the author of the forthcoming book Let’s Pretend We Never Met

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Nous remercions de son soutien le Conseil des Arts du Canada.