Week of Nov 2-4

Dear students,

On Wednesday, Nov 2, you will be visited in class by Career Services, who will be talking to you about some of the possibilities available to you at the college. They may be running up to 10 minutes late: please arrive on time and wait in the classroom for them.

Peer mentors, please take attendance.

On Friday, Nov 4, Professor Simonian will be your substitute. She will help you as you work on your presentation projects in class. You may bring your laptops this day. You will also be discussing the drone pilots and gaming article.

Any questions? Email me.

Best,
Professor Durbin

Presentation Schedule - 3:00 class

W Dec 9

3:00--Jazzy
3:10--Mauricio
3:20--Bryce
3:30--Fred
3:40--David
3:50--Joseph
4:00--Richard


F Dec 11

3:00--Somaan
3:10--Ashley
3:20--Isaac
3:30--Chris
3:40--Logan
3:50--Ryker
4:00--Jaycob

Presentation Schedule - 12:00 class

W Dec 9

12:00--Brie
12:10--Kacey
12:20--Kalab
12:30--Jona
12:40--Weston
12:50--Hollywood
1:00--Kait
1:20--Aaron


F Dec 11

12:00--Thomas
12:10--Morgan
12:20--AJ
12:30--Gabby
12:40--Hunter
12:50--Jacob
1:00--Kacey
1:10--Diego

Questions for Feed

Group Questions about Feed:

1) Discuss the title of the novel. How is it a double entendre? What is it referencing?

2) Is the novel a critique of social media? A celebration? Something else? Discuss.

3) What parallels to the way that our world operates with social media today do you see in the novel?

4) Analyze the speed with which things are uploaded to social media in the book. Why is speed important in this post-apocalyptic world? Is it equally important in our world? 

5) Why do you think Mira Grant chose to put zombies and social media together in a book?

Drone Pilots and Gaming

Please read this article.

Final Essay and Presentation

For your final project in this class, you will create your own concept for a reality tv show, a video game, or a social networking site.

You will create a visual aide in order to present your show, game, or site in a creative way--do a skit, share a video (all videos should be uploaded to youtube or vimeo so they can be played easily in class), utilize the internet, visual aids/posters, etc. 

You may not bring laptops the day of the presentation, but you may upload to the web and present from the in class computer. Please do not present anything that requires a flash drive or downloading as we do not have time to set up in class.

Quickly slapped together print outs or scrawled drawings will receive no credit. You may not present a creative aide that was not made by you.

Some questions you should ask yourself as you create your project: how does my show/game/site differ from those we studied in class? How does it utilize its genre in a new, creative way? Who is its audience? Think critically, too, about how your show/game/site reflects certain cultural attitudes and values. Give us specific details about the framework of the show/game/site. What inspired you, and why? How did this class help you to think about popular culture in new ways?

Additionally, please answer the above questions in an essay format, 3-5 pages in length, and present them to the class as well. You may choose to present them in a creative way or a more straightforward way, but they must be answered directly. Being able to critically analyze your own work, as we've critically analyzed the work in this course, is imperative to your success on this assignment. 

Apply at least six quotes from in class notes or the books we read in class.

You may choose to directly quote or paraphrase, but do include a Works Cited page.

Can't wait to see what you do.

Hi everyone,

If you're signing up for classes, I'm going to be teaching an awesome Jan Term course on horror fiction and film, and two spring Why Read sections on science fiction and film. Sign up! Tell your friends!

Prof D

For those revising Essay #2 for the revision option, here is the prompt:


Discuss three of the tropes about women outlined in Pozner's book Reality Bites Back, as they manifest in the reality tv show The Bachelor. Are these tropes damaging to women and society at large? Why or why not?

Rough Draft Workshop

Questions:

1) Does the writer have a strong hook for the introduction? If not, suggest one. Does the writer introduce their topic clearly and succinctly, providing the necessary cultural and background information so that the reader is not confused about the topic at hand? Give one or two suggestions for improvement in this area (do not skip).

2) Does the essay’s thesis seem to be undeveloped or too broad, or is it just specific enough to argue in a 2-3 paper? Does it have one to two sentences? Does it outline the main topics that will be discussed in the essay? Many any necessary suggestions for clarification and more specificity as well (do not skip). Lastly, please remember that the thesis needs to address the prompt. 

3) Please note any places in the essay where further clarifying details could be added. This is something everyone in the class needs to work on. Is the writer clear about how social networking has affected our lives? Do they give specific details as to which precise ways it has done so? 

4) Is the writer incorporating research from scholarly library sources into the essay (not .com sources or dictionary/encyclopedia sources)? Do the sources seem to be strong and ON TOPIC? Why or why not?

5) Does the writer have strong quotes/paraphrases from their research that they intend to use in the essay? They should! Which quote is the strongest and which is the weakest? Suggest an ordering for the quotes that would help the writer work from their strongest point to their weakest (keeping in mind the importance of chronology/topic organization as well)—do not skip! Are the quotes smoothly integrated into the essay and not plopped?

6) Does the writer have sufficient analysis for their quotations? Remember, analysis is even more important than the quote itself. Make sure the writer is not simply explaining the quote in a summarizing fashion, but connecting it to its larger significance (relationship to their thesis). Make suggestions for improvement below, and be specific (do not skip).

7) Is the essay organized? Do the body paragraphs seem to build logically upon one another? Give at least one suggestion for improving the organization of the essay (do not skip). Starting at the beginning of the scene and then going forward from there is a good idea.

8) Does the writer incorporate their outside sources into the essay effectively? 

9) Does the writer use effective transitions when moving between paragraphs? See the post on this blog for tips.

Please Read this Post on Transitions for Friday's Class

Writing Transitions

Good transitions can connect paragraphs and turn disconnected writing into a unified whole. Instead of treating paragraphs as separate ideas, transitions can help readers understand how paragraphs work together, reference one another, and build to a larger point. The key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs. By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from previous paragraphs, writers can develop important points for their readers.

It is a good idea to continue one paragraph where another leaves off. (Instances where this is especially challenging may suggest that the paragraphs don't belong together at all.) Picking up key phrases from the previous paragraph and highlighting them in the next can create an obvious progression for readers. Many times, it only takes a few words to draw these connections. Instead of writing transitions that could connect any paragraph to any other paragraph, write a transition that could only connect one specific paragraph to another specific paragraph.

Example: Overall, Management Systems International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.

Another important thing to note is that the corporation had expanded its international influence.

Revision: Overall, Management Systems International has logged increased sales in every sector, leading to a significant rise in third-quarter profits.

These impressive profits are largely due to the corporation's expanded international influence.

Example: Fearing for the loss of Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.

But then something else significant happened. The Swedish intervention began.

Revision: Fearing for the loss of more Danish lands, Christian IV signed the Treaty of Lubeck, effectively ending the Danish phase of the 30 Years War.

Shortly after Danish forces withdrew, the Swedish intervention began.

Example: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.

There are other things to note about Tan as well. Amy Tan also participates in the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders with Stephen King and Dave Barry.

Revision: Amy Tan became a famous author after her novel, The Joy Luck Club, skyrocketed up the bestseller list.

Though her fiction is well known, her work with the satirical garage band the Rock Bottom Remainders receives far less publicity.

Contributors:Ryan Weber, Karl Stolley.
Summary:

A discussion of transition strategies and specific transitional devices.

Transitional Devices

Transitional devices are like bridges between parts of your paper. They are cues that help the reader to interpret ideas a paper develops. Transitional devices are words or phrases that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one idea to another, or from one paragraph to another. And finally, transitional devices link sentences and paragraphs together smoothly so that there are no abrupt jumps or breaks between ideas.

There are several types of transitional devices, and each category leads readers to make certain connections or assumptions. Some lead readers forward and imply the building of an idea or thought, while others make readers compare ideas or draw conclusions from the preceding thoughts.

Here is a list of some common transitional devices that can be used to cue readers in a given way.

To Add:

and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next, lastly, what's more, moreover, in addition, first (second, etc.)

To Compare:

whereas, but, yet, on the other hand, however, nevertheless, on the contrary, by comparison, where, compared to, up against, balanced against, vis a vis, but, although, conversely, meanwhile, after all, in contrast, although this may be true

To Prove:

because, for, since, for the same reason, obviously, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides, indeed, in fact, in addition, in any case, that is

To Show Exception:

yet, still, however, nevertheless, in spite of, despite, of course, once in a while, sometimes

To Show Time:

immediately, thereafter, soon, after a few hours, finally, then, later, previously, formerly, first (second, etc.), next, and then

To Repeat:

in brief, as I have said, as I have noted, as has been noted

To Emphasize:

definitely, extremely, obviously, in fact, indeed, in any case, absolutely, positively, naturally, surprisingly, always, forever, perennially, eternally, never, emphatically, unquestionably, without a doubt, certainly, undeniably, without reservation

To Show Sequence:

first, second, third, and so forth. A, B, C, and so forth. next, then, following this, at this time, now, at this point, after, afterward, subsequently, finally, consequently, previously, before this, simultaneously, concurrently, thus, therefore, hence, next, and then, soon

To Give an Example:

for example, for instance, in this case, in another case, on this occasion, in this situation, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration, to illustrate

To Summarize or Conclude:

in brief, on the whole, summing up, to conclude, in conclusion, as I have shown, as I have said, hence, therefore, accordingly, thus, as a result, consequently

Please note that I updated the Course Schedule.

Essay #3

Please write a 2-3 page essay responding to the following statement by Sorkin, a reviewer of The Social Network:

“This thing — social networking, and obviously Facebook is the king of that — which was meant to connect all of us and bring us closer together, I don't think it's done that. I think it's done the opposite. I think we're now by ourselves, inventing new identities, performing for each other. I think it's an insincere form of connection. But, let me quickly add that that is an opinion that has absolutely nothing to do with the movie. You can love Facebook, hate Facebook, never have heard of Facebook, be indifferent to Facebook, and that will not affect your enjoyment of the movie anymore than being a fan of bank robberies is going to affect your enjoyment of The Town.”  

Do you agree with Sorkin's assessment of social networking? Why or why not?

You will want to have a clear argument in your essay and back it up with examples from research, the film and perhaps your own experience (this is called anecdotal evidence).

You will need two outside sources from the library's databases for your paper.  Make sure to include a Works Cited page.

Length:2-3 pages, MLA style

Hi everyone,

I updated the course schedule. You can see it in the post below.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Keep up the good work,
Professor Durbin

Course Schedule

*Subject to revision with notice

WEEK ONE

Day 1, Wed Sept 9: Course Introductions
HW for Friday, Sept 11: Read "Studying Video Games" and "What is a Game?" in Understanding Video Games; writing exercise: in your bedroom, find as many pop cultural artifacts as you can. First, list them, then write a brief paragraph about your relationship to them.

Fri, Sept 11
HW: read Angela Washko's tumblr: http://wowongender.tumblr.com (you don't have to read the entire thing; you can scroll through bits and pieces); read blog post linked here; research one popular video game and write a one page analysis of how it reflects our modern society: what values does it represent, why is it popular, etc?

WEEK TWO

W, Sept 16  In class watch Angela Washko's "Playing a Girl;" Go over Note-Taking
HW: read "Video Games in Culture" in Understanding Video Games; play the following video games and come prepared to discuss them
Bubblegum Slaughter
Depression Quest

F, Sept 18 In class go over Essay #1 and Outlines
HW: read this article about Grand Theft Auto; read this article about Gender Criticism for Gamers

WEEK THREE

W, Sept 23 MLA Formatting
HW: prep for library workshop (bring laptops, iPads, etc. to class)

F, Sept 25 In class Library Workshop
HW: work on outline of essay #1, bring 2 copies to class for workshop

WEEK FOUR

W, Sept 29 Outline Workshop in class
HW: complete final draft of Essay #1

F, Oct 2 *In class watch We Live in Public
HW: no homework

WEEK FIVE 

W, Oct 7 Final Draft of Essay #1 Due
HW: read "Unraveling Reality TV's Twisted Fairy Tales" in "Reality Bites Back"

F, Oct 9 Introduction to Essay #2 & In-Class Essays
HW: read "Bitches and Morons and Skanks, Oh My!" in "Reality Bites Back"

WEEK SIX 

W, Oct 14
HW: read "This is Not My Beautiful House" in "Reality Bites Back"

F, Oct 16 Mid-semester break (no class)
HW: see above

WEEK SEVEN

W, Oct 21
HW:read "Television" p. 62-116 in "Everything Bad is Good For You"

F, Oct 23
HW: prepare for in-class essay

WEEK EIGHT

W, Oct 28 In Class Essay #2
HW: read "The Sleeper Curve" p. 1-62 in "Everything Bad is Good For You"

F, Oct 30 Introduction to Essay #3, Rough Drafts
HW: none

WEEK NINE

W, Nov 4 Watch "The Social Network" in class

HW: read Feed up to page 75

F, Nov 6 Finish "The Social Network," discuss
HW: read Feed up to page 150

WEEK TEN

W, Nov 11

HW: read Feed up to page 225

F, Nov 13 Rough Draft Essay #3 Workshop

HW: read Feed up to page 300

WEEK ELEVEN

W, Nov 18 Introduction to Final Essays and Presentations

HW: read Feed up to page 375

F, Nov 20 Final Draft of Essay #3 Due on Monday Nov 23

HW: read Feed up to page 450

WEEK TWELVE

W, Nov 25 – No Class, Thanksgiving Break

HW: finish Feed, and work on presentations and final papers

F, Nov 27

HW: see above

WEEK THIRTEEN

W, Nov 2

HW: work on presentations and papers, reading on blog

F, Nov 5 

HW: work on presentations and papers, reading on blog

WEEK FOURTEEN

W, NOV 9 IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS/FINAL PAPERS DUE

F, NOV 11 IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS/FINAL PAPERS DUE