Essay 3

We will be reflecting on our writing sample and reconsidering the questions posed in it: What are your thoughts, feelings and experiences regarding reading and writing so far?

I will also ask you to consider the following in regard to the above: Has this semester brought changes to the above and what differences, if any, do you notice in your awareness, your skill level and in your writing after evaluating your initial writing sample?

If you remain unconvinced that you've experienced changes, or have changed for the worse, I challenge you to consider why in a thoughtful and self-reflective manner.

Essay is due Tuesday. Decmember 7.

Girl Interrupted, Online Discussion 2

Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work. One of the themes in Girl, Interrupted is the confusion of social nonconformity with insanity.

Please answer the following questions about the novel:

1. What evidence from the text suggests that some of the characters are choosing to "act out" as opposed to displaying symptoms of a mental disorder? What are the patients' goals in doing so?
2. What does the variety of characters and their problems say about the criteria for institutionalization?
3. How do the patients define themselves and one another? How do their diagnoses fit into that characterization?
4. In most settings, there appears to a heirarchy-- even in an institution. Who is at the top of that heirarchy and what determines one's status? What is Kaysen's status?

Girl, Interrupted Online Discussion 1

One of the overarching themes of the novel and a primary aspect of our first discussion of GI is the nature of sanity. I'd like you to consider the following questions in 5 well thought out posts of at least 6 sentences each.:

1. What does it mean to be sane and insane?
2. Who determines these definitions?
3. What effect does the presentation of case work materials have on you as the reader? Why does the author present that info?
4. How does information presented in the text affect your perception of the author's mental health? Give examples and analyze at least one quote to this affect.
5. Analyze one quote you found interesting or significant and expain its importance.

Girl, Interrupted & "Crazy" by Gnarles Barkley: A Thoughtful Comparision

Check out the video for  "Crazy" by Gnarles Barkley.  It features a Rorschach Test as a main element of the video's effects.  This is one of the tests given to Kaysen in her novel.

Note the imagery in the video and what it implies about the viewer who is watching as the ink blots transform themselves into shapes before his very eyes.  What is Barkley saying by his song/video?

After a few viewings, read the lyrics for "Crazy".  We will be doing a close reading of the novel and drawing parallels to the song itself as an assignment.


In addition, we will also be considering Barkey's question in regard to Kaysen's work-- does the information presented in the novel make Kaysen "crazy"?

November Assignment Schedule

November 2
Strong thesis statements
Transitional Words and Phrases
Review of PPT 1

Homework:
All drafts of essay 1 due Thursday

November 4
Melting Not: Intro to essay 2/brainstorming session
Essay 2:  Do you agree or disagree with the author that similar cultures are important to a healthy and long lasting relationship? 

Homework:
Essay 2 Draft 1 due Tuesday. Please underline your thesis statement!
Read Girl, Interrupted to pg 47 for Thursday's class + 2 TSR Journals and Questions

November 9
Writer's workshop critique
Reading PP Test

Homework:
Read Girl, Interrupted to pg 47 for Thursday's class + 2 TSR Journals and Questions

November 11
Discussion of Girl, Interrupted
Online discussion of text

Homework:
Finish blogged online discussion
Read next part of Girl, Interrupted for Thursday's class + 2 TSR Journals and Questions

November 16
Writer's workshop critique of essay 2

Homework:
Read next part of Girl, Interrupted for Thursday's class + 2 TSR Journals and Questions
Draft 2 of essay 2 due Tuesday

November 18
Novel discussion

November 23
Titling Your Essay
Practice Placement Test: Reading

November 25
No Class: Thanksgiving

November 30
Practice Placement Test: Writing

Homework:
Finish Girl, Interrupted + TSR journals for next class

December 2
Discussion of GI
Lab: Independant work on next essay

Homework:
Essay 3 due Tuesday

December 7
FINAL EXAM 9 am SHARP!
Don't be late!

December 9
Lyrics Assignment due

Girl, Interrupted

Basic English 2: Novel- Girl, Interrupted

We will begin our discussion of Girl, Interrupted on November 11th.  Discussions will take place one week apart.  Here is our reading schedule:

• November 11:  Pgs 5-47           
• November 18: Pgs 48-105
• December 2: Pgs 107-end 

In order to actively participate in the discussion, you will take note of any questions you have while reading and then prepare them for class where you will offer them to the group for analysis.  These should be typed and prepared ahead of time as a for credit assignment.

*** NOTE: These questions do NOT have to be answered, they are for our discussion.  This is to encourage you to ask things you are unclear about and interact with your text in a meaningful way.


Here is an example of a well-constructed question:  

• Why did the narrator question her reality after being institutionalized but not before?

·     

or should be something you did not understand about the novel or circumstances in the novel, for example:

•    How can they just institutionalize a person against her will?

 Questions should not be asked for the sake of fulfilling the assignment but should have merit for discussion or to clarify a point about the reading.  An example of a poorly constructed question would be: 

•  What is the narrator's name?

or points that are clearly stated in the text, making the question useless:

•       What type of place was the narrator locked up in?

The Alchemist

As a wrap up to our reading and discussion of The Alchemist, as well as to meet a portfolio requirement, please reflect on the following:


An allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. 


How does The Alchemist fit that description and what hidden meaning might the text revel to its reader? Please back up your reasoning with evidence from the text.  


This should be a minimum of one page in length and contain at least 3 references to the text. Due next class.  

NY Times Article: Putting Your Best Cyberface Forward

People intentionally or unintentionally craft online personalities to communicate a specific message about themselves. I'd like you to start thinking about these issues in general, both online and in the "real world," since we take in information about one another constantly, no matter how the information is conveyed to us.

Please respond to all four questions and then to two of your peers' responses. As always, keep your language and ideas academic in nature!  Each student should have a total of 6 responses by the end of our lab period.

1. How important is a first impression?  Explain.
2. How much can you really tell about a person based on first impressions? Is it accurate?
3. Is it legitimate or fair to use your first impression, whether online or in real life, to make decisions about a person without knowing him/her?
4. Analyze one famous person-- a celebrity, a politician, a sports figure, etc-- discuss your impression of them, what gives you that impression and why.

NY Times Article: Putting Your Best Cyberface Forward

Introductions and Conclusions

Write two different introductory paragraphs for your essay, each one featuring a different method from the handout in class. When you are done, please also write two different conclusions for a total of four posts.

Paragraphs should be 4-6 sentence long.

October Assignment Schedule

October 5
Brainstorming session for Essay 1: Do your clothes reflect who you are?

Homework:
Essay 1, Draft 1 Due Tuesday, October 12 (In print and via email)
Read to page 47 in The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please)

October 7
Discussion: Playing At Sexy- In class group discussion and
Blogged Discussion of text

Homework:
Finish any blogging
Essay 1, Draft 1 Due Tuesday, October 12 (In print and via email)
Read to page 47 in The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please) for Oct 12

October 12
Discussion of The Alchemist
Writer's Workshop in class revision session of student essay 1

Homework:
Read next section of The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please) for Oct 19
Work on essay draft 2 due October 19

October 14
Writer's workshop of student essay 2
Lab: rewrite the intro and conclusion of your essay and post on blog

Homework:
Finish Blog assignment

Read next section of The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please) for Oct 19

Work on essay draft 2 due October 19


October 19
Discussion of The Alchemist
Critical reading and discussion: DNA Tells Students They Aren't Who They Thought

Homework:
Read next section of The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please) for Oct 26

October 21
Critical reading and discussion: Putting Your Best Cyberface Forward
Blogged discussion of Putting Your Best Cyberface Forward

Homework:

Read next section of The Alchemist + 2 TSR Journals and Discussion Questions (standard, word processed submission format, please) for Oct 26

October 26
The Alchemist discussion
Practice Placement Exam: Reading portion

Homework: 
None for Thursday

October 28
Final discussion of the Alchemist
Lab: Reflection + Revision of essay if time allows

Homework:
Revisions of essay 1-- submit all drafts (1,2,3) due Thursday
Reflection on The Alchemist, due Tuesday

Link to Single Ladies Video featuring Girls Dance Troupe


Answer the following questions based on the reading, Playing at Sexy in 4-6 sentences and then respond to 2 of your peers for a total of 6 posts.

1. Pick out one quote that was significant to you. Explain it and why it was significant.
2. What biases did you have, for or against the subject, while reading this text? When did you become aware of it and did it hinder your evaluating the text in an objective way?
3. What ideas were you unfamiliar with from the text and how did you approach that information?
4. Pose one question you have about the text. Then, attempt to answer someone else's question.

NO CLASS TODAY

Going to be out sick today (Thursday, 9/30). See you next class.

Reading Schedule: The Alchemist

Basic Reading 2: Reading Schedule for The Alchemist

• ·      Oct 12th- Pages 1-47
• ·      Oct 19th Pages 48-112 (at the break)
• ·      Oct 26th Pages 112-end

In order to actively participate in the discussion, you will complete 2 TSR Journals for each discussion plus draft 2 questions pertaining to the reading for that class.

Here is what I am looking for:

Take note of any questions you have while reading and then prepare them for class where you will offer them to the group for analysis.  These should be typed and prepared ahead of time as a for credit assignment.

Here is an example of a well-constructed question:  

·      Why doesn’t the shopkeeper pursue his own dream instead of maintaining the status quo?

or should be something you did not understand about the novel or circumstances in the novel, for example:

·    Why didn’t Fatima just go with Santiago on his journey instead of turning down his marriage proposal?

Questions should not be asked for the sake of fulfilling the assignment but should have merit for discussion or to clarify a point about the reading.  An example of a poorly constructed question would be: 

•       Who wrote The Alchemist?

or points that are clearly stated in the text, making the question useless:

• ·      What did Santiago do after getting robbed? 

    

You do NOT need to answer the questions you pose, but you DO need to ask them!

Please feel free to use Spark Notes as a resource in ADDITION to reading the novel.

Good News: Update on Textbook Situation

Hi All,

We will be working without a textbook for the semester, which means I will be providing supplemental materials for you, both online and hard copy. We will still be using the novels, however, so do not sell them back. 

The bookstore will accept returns on textbooks that are not written in for a 100% refund on books that are returned by to them by the date specified-- TBA, but I believe it's Oct 15. They will buy back any texts that are written in at the buyback rate.

I suggest you get them returned by the end of the upcoming weekend to avoid problems. I recommend you bring your student ID and your receipt (if you still have it) to avoid problems and delays.

AF

Prewriting Assignment

Homework: Due Tuesday

Take a topic of your choosing and create 3 prewriting methods with it-- choose from freewriting, brainstorming, mapping and outlining. Show all of your work. All portions should be typed (except mapping) but feel free to use pen or pencil to underline important ideas or make annotations such as circles and stars.

Power Point Presentations on Prewriting & the Writing Process

Please view the following slideshows:

• Prewriting Slideshow
• The Writing Process

The Man Date

Discuss the following in 4 separate 5-7 sentence paragraphs-- 2 in response to my questions and  2 to your peers.

During our in-class discussion, of The Man Date. it seems that many associate being “intimate” with being “homosexual” or in some cases, with being “feminine.”

• The obvious question is, then, why is this so? These are two separate concepts, so why have people—in this case, some of you—decided that one is just as good as the other? 

• Second, in the article it states that men were not always so hesitant to “go out” with each other, and that there have been two factors involved in how men presently feel about “man dates.” Both of these boil down to insecurity with society’s opinions of “manliness.”  So, here, I will ask a less obvious question: Why are men so concerned with what society thinks?

Textbook Update

According to the textbook manager, Nick, the textbook and the novels are all in. He will allow you to exchange your books up to this Friday. If you have any problems with the staff not being aware of this extention, please ask for Nick to resolve this with him. Likewise, if you get news that the books are NOT in, please also ask for Nick to resolve the matter.

Please see that you have the text by Friday, as I will be assigning reading in it for Tuesday's class.

AF

Novels

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen

No Dessert for You, Now Go to Your Tower!

No Dessert for You, Now Go to Your Tower!

In considering the above article, please respond to the following for a total of 5 posts, 3 of your own, 2 in response to another student's posts:

1. Should children have the types of surroundings that the article describes? Make an arguement for or against it and then respond to your fellow students and their opinions about it.
2. Consider the square footage in the article (if you need to look up the formula to determine square footage, Google it!); How much space is reasonable for a child?  Does ample space  protect a child or isolate them?
3. Pick out one quote from the text-- either a direct quotation or a selection of text-- and analyze it. Why did it stand out as important to you?

Be scholarly in your approach and provide examples, solid reasoning for your arguement and as always, respectful of your fellow students views. Each post should be a minimum of 4-6 sentences.

Found Text Assignment

Write a one page reflection on a textual artifact from your life-- a text message, a letter, a news clipping or story-- using the standard submission format discussed in class. 

Reflections may discuss the why the artifact is meaningful or interesting to you, and how you came by the artifact.

You may use Found Magazine's website for ideas or to locate an artifact that you find interesting. Due Thursday.

Assignment Schedule for September

Class 1

Review of Syllabus

Introductions

Writing Sample

Homework: Purchase Textbook

Class 2

Discussion: Reading, Writing & Literacy-- Thinking about texts & communication

Journaling & Freewriting

Handout- Freewriting by Peter Elbow

Journal: 10 Minutes of freewriting

Homework:

• Bring in a textual artifact from your life OR one printed from the website Foundmagazine.com 
• Submit a one-page reflection paper about the artifact that follows the submission format rules outlined for you. Due Thursday.

Class 3
Discussion: No Dessert For You, Now Go to Your Tower!
Lab: Blog discussion

Homework:

• Finish blog assignment

Class 4
Discussion: Reading and Thinking critically
More Athiests Shout it from the Rooftops
The TSR Journal

Homework:
2 TSR Journals based on today's NYT Article

Class 5
Reading critically: The Man Date
Lab: Blogging Session

Homework:
Read Chapters 1 & 2 in the textbook for Tuesday
Finish Blogging


Class 6
Prewriting strategies

Homework:
View Powerpoint presentations on blog
Prewriting Strategies:
Take a topic of your choosing and create 3 prewriting methods with it-- choose from freewriting, brainstorming, mapping and outlining. Show all of your work. All portions should be typed (except mapping) but feel free to use pen or pencil to underline important ideas or make annotations such as circles and stars.  Due Tuesday

Class 7
Cancelled

Introduce Yourself

Next class we're going to jump right into our discussions-- both online and in our seminar. To make sure you get off to a good start, begin by posting an introductory paragraph about yourself. This should be about 4-6 sentences.


Don't worry, we'll get to know each other a little better later on in the afternoon. This is just to make sure that you've gotten an account and understand the basics of posting online. As always, be sure to read the directions and welcome before you begin.

AF

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome 

Dear students:
Welcome to Spring 2010. We will be using our blog as a forum for written communication and as resource for course-related information. You will find information such as a general outline of what is taking place in class/what will be due in the upcoming weeks, PDFs and links of select handouts and extra materials of interest to you, as well as the course syllabus should you lose it. Please check this site frequently, as it is updated regularly. 

I recommend the following:A Gmail account to make it easier for you to interact with and sign on to our blog, which is powered by Google. That you save your log in and password somewhere accessible so you are not delayed when assignments are given if you forget your information. That you "follow" the blog. It will make it easier for you to find the link.That you write the web address accurately in your notebook for use at home. (Note: http:// without the "www") That you copy, cut and paste information from Word into the comment field of our blog just in case there is a problem. (Students have sometimes run into glitches and lost their carefully thought out responses. Don't let this happen to you!) That you read your comments for coherence, spelling and logic, making sure it applies to the questions asked. 


In addition, you may wish to sign up for a Twitter account and add me to your followers. You will be able to get Tweets from me that may give you more frequent updates and send me tweets to stay in contact with me to ask for help or give feedback. My Twitter SN is AferranteHCCC. You can see Twitter updates on the left hand side of the blog and the link will bring you directly to my page.

Wishing all you a successful semester,
Angela Ferrante

Read These Directions First: Online discourse and discussion

Read These Directions First: Online discourse and discussion

Read These Directions First! Online Discourse & Blogging 

So here is how this will work: I will get the online discussion started by positing a consideration, offering an opinion, or posing a set of questions based on an article.

Each of you will not only respond to me first, but to at least three students after your first comment. We'll keep the language professional and academic, as is the case for your homework and in-class assignments. As for a minimum response, let's begin with an "oversized" paragraph of 5-7 sentences per response per individual.
Be sure you are answering the question fully and completely.

Remember to:Proofread your work before you hit that "Publish" button.Create at the appropriate number comments (each between 5-7 sentences)—to me and to your peers.Keep the language professional, academic, and on-point.Sign your full name at the bottom of each response you make.Comment within the appropriate post.


*Tip- you may find it helpful to work in Word so that you can spell check your response and as a precautionary measure against losing your response should something "happen" during the publishing process.

Reminders:


Do not use IM language (e.g., ";-)," "u r kewl," "lol," "brb," etc.)--this is a college-level discussion, not a private conversation. Do not use slang--again, this is a college environment where people use professional and academic language. Do not state an opinion without stating why you think/feel the way you do. Do not re-phrase someone's comment or just agree with him in order to have something to say--"Think before you type" means exactly that. This is what a typical student comment should look like:


Response to Alba: So in other words you're saying that people who are not beautiful have no opportunity in life to succeed because of the way we judge them. I think that is wrong. Children are very sensitive and they can sense when adults make fun of them or treat them differently because of their look. Those children are the same people, that when the grow up, they also become ugly from inside, as a result of the way they were treated when they were child. That is still one of the biggest taboo that we have, judge someone for their look, before we even give them a chance to talk.-- Yuleina Mac Donald

Lastly, the ideas presented in your responses should be your own, or you should be adding something new to the discussion. Hopefully, this weblog will grow as your skills grow and this will also serve to put a new spin on an old "tried and true" method of collegiate discussion.

Participation on this blog counts as an assignment. Inappropriate, rude, or offensive language is unacceptable and will be removed from our blog. Three such offenses during the semester will result in questionable comments being submitted on paper to me, a NC for each offense, and could also result in failure for the course.

Comments that do not meet the minimum requirements will be deleted.