Weekly Discussion Post for 10/31

Please post your weekly link to a source that you've found regarding the class theme of the "American Dream" as a part of American culture OR one of the research topics you are exploring.

As always, guidelines are the following:

For participation, we will post a link by every Monday to a source (article, movie, blog, etc) relating toeither the class theme of the formation of the American Dream or your own individual research topic. Post a short summary of how the source relates to the aforementioned topic (1-2 sentences).

To receive full credit for each response, please comment on at least two of your classmates’ posts.

Research Topic Questions

Consider that in a previous article, "Finding the Good Argument," Jones states,

Rather than an either/or proposition, argument is multiple and complex. An argument can be logical, rational, emotional, fruitful, useful, and even enjoyable. As a matter of fact, the idea that argument is necessary (and therefore not always about war or even about winning) is an important notion in a culture that values democracy and equity. In America, where nearly everyone you encounter has a different background and/or political or social view, skill in arguing seems to be paramount, whether you are inventing an argument or recognizing a good one when you see it.

 Post 2-3 possible versions of the research questions you are considering for your final 8-10 page paper. Let these questions guide your search terms and general research during Tuesday's library visit.

Weekly Post for 10/25

Read Rosenberg's "Reading Games: Strategies for Reading Scholarly Sources." Write 3-5 paragraphs summarizing Rosenberg's experience reading scholarly sources and then summarizing your own experiences reading scholarly sources (either overview of past experiences or step-by-step). HOW do you read scholarly sources? HOW much experience have you had? What have been the most difficult/least difficult aspects?

Weekly Discussion Post for 10/17

Please post your weekly link to a source that you've found regarding the class theme of the "American Dream" as a part of American culture OR one of the research topics you are exploring.

As always, guidelines are the following:

For participation, we will post a link by every Monday to a source (article, movie, blog, etc) relating toeither the class theme of the formation of the American Dream or your own individual research topic. Post a short summary of how the source relates to the aforementioned topic (1-2 sentences).

To receive full credit for each response, please comment on at least two of your classmates’ posts

Twitter link post due 10/13

1.   Create a fake Twitter account 2.   Post an in-class summary or blog post 1 using 10 - 15 tweets (1400 – 2000 characters) Or Instagram account and post minimum of 1400 – 2000 characters (max is 2200) 3.   Post the link 4.   Comment on at least 2 classmates’ posts.

This is a pretty unconventional but playful assignment. After you look at the readings for Friday's class, you'll notice that Cullington and others mention textspeak and digital language.  Basically, take a look at your past blog posts and pick one to rewrite in textspeak/digital language in a throwaway Twitter or Instagram account. 

We're having some fun seeing the ways that our language and message content can change when we use social media. I actually encourage even more informal, digital-based language if it serves to convey a message (i.e. use of hash tags, abbreviations, fragments).