Assignments for Monday April 5th

For Monday's class, please read the following:

1. Chapter 9: Revising an Essay (pgs. 381 - 403)
2. All Animals Are Equal by Peter Singer (handout)

Also, remember to complete your final draft of Take-Home Essay #1: Evaluative Response.

Discussion Board:

The philosopher Peter Singer contends that all animals--human and non-human--are equal. What does he mean by "equal"? How does he support his argument? What are your feelings on the subject?

(Post your response in the comments section below.)

Assignments for Wednesday March 24th

For Wednesday's class, please complete your first draft of Essay #1: Evaluative Response.
(Be sure to bring 3 copies.)

Assignments for Monday March 22nd

For Monday's class, please read the following articles from our textbook:

1. Evaluative Response (Pgs. 438 - 443)
   
2. Chapter 7: Getting Started (pgs. 329 - 350)
3. Chapter 8: Organizing and Drafting an Essay (pgs. 360 - 380

Additionally, be sure to review the four article choices for take-home essay #1. They are:

1. Who's Cheap by Adair Lara (pg. 68)
2. When Reality TV Gets too Real by Jeremy W. Peters (pg. 239)
3. The Myth of the Latin Woman by Judith Ortiz Cofer (pg. 172)
4. Tilling a New World by Bill McKibben (pg. 276)

Discussion Board:
Which of the four articles do you intend to write your essay on? What about this article captures your interest? What makes it stand out from the others?

(Please post your response in the comments section below.)

Assignments for Wednesday March 17th

For Wednesday's class, please read:

1. Chapter 8 (pgs. 351 - 360)
2. 'Diabesity,' A Crisis in an Expanding Country by Jane E. Brody (pg. 204)
3. Six Rules for Eating Wisely by Michael Pollan (pg. 214)

Discussion Board:

According to the articles by Jane E. Brody and Michael Pollan, what significant changes need to occur in the way Americans are eating today? How can we realize (or create) such changes?

(Post your responses in the comments section below.)

Recommended Poetry Event...

One of my favorite poets, Rae Armantrout, will be discussing the art of the lyric next week Tuesday at Poets House. The event starts at 7:00pm and costs $7 for students. See details here: Lyric Persuasions: A Conversation with Rae Armantrout & Norman Fischer

I hope to see some of there! (Extra credit will be given.)

Assignments for Monday March 15th

For Monday's class, please read

1. Getting the Most from Your Reading (pgs. 2-6)
2. My Son, My Compass by Jana Malamud Smith (8-11)
3. On Teenagers and Tattoos by Andres Martin (24-27)

There are no questions for the discussion board this week; however, make sure to post your first Weekly Moments entry to the posting below.

Weekly Moments Journal

After watching the short film, "Moments," by Will Hoffman, think back over the last week. Now freeze, in your mind, a single moment. What makes it stand out from the millions of other moments you've experienced this week? What colors, textures, and sounds define this moment for you? Try to describe every detail, paying special attention to the infinitesimal (the very small): What did the ground feel like beneath your feet? What did his voice sound like when he said that thing that hurt, made you smile, or made you turn and walk away? Your moment might be something monumental or very simple. It's your choice. Don't get bogged down by explanation. Try to capture the moment as you felt it.

Each week, I'd like you to capture at least one moment from your life to portray in your journals. At midterm, I'll collect your journals to ensure that you've been keeping up, and at the end of the semester I'll collect them again to configure your grades (journals are worth 10% of your final grades).

For a participation point, I'd like all of you to post your first journal entries in the comments section of this post. I've already posted one of mine to be referenced as an example. Please add yours by next Tuesday, February 9th by noon. As a rule, weekly journal entries will be expected each Tuesday.

So ... what do you do?

What is that thing that you participate in and contribute to that makes you you?


Note: To post your response, click on the "comments" link below. Then, type your response in the text box. Comment as "Name/URL." Type in your name, but leave the URL field blank. Lastly, click "post comment."

Welcome to English 101!

The syllabus for this course can be found on Blackboard under Course Documents.

Stay tuned for more posts in the near future!