Post Summary to Canvas Assignment link by Saturday Midnight.
3. Also read and write a precise summary (500 Words due to Canvas by midnight Sunday, January 28) of New York Times’ article, “The New Chatbots Could Change the World. Can you Trust Them?” (PDF in Canvas under File tab).
Week 2
January 29, Monday:
• Discussion of some student responses.
• Class discussion on ““Is Google making Us Stupid?”
• Discussion Questions:
1. How would you answer the title question – is Google (or the internet generally) making us stupid? How is the author defining stupidity and intelligence? Do you agree with Carr’s definition or would you define it differently?
2. Can you connect this to your attachments to technology, and if so, how? What does the internet make you better at? Is there anything you feel it makes you do worse?
3. What does Carr mean when he writes, “as we use what the sociologist Daniel Bell has called our “intellectual technologies”…we inevitably begin to take on the qualities of those technologies”? How have our ways of thinking, and indeed, even our metaphors, changed as a result of these technologies? Consider also how previous technologies have changed our thinking, according to the essay.
4. What is it that Carr is really worried about? Is he “just a worrywart”?
5. What is Carr’s thesis?
6. Who is Carr talking about (and who is his audience)?
7. Do you agree with Carr’s argument? Why?
Group discussion on the article: “The New Chatbots Could Change the World. Can you Trust Them?”. Each group will take up an issue from the reading and present in the class.
Homework:
1. Write a letter to the author, Nicholas Carr, responding to his position on technological advancements. Post your letter to Canvas Assignment link by Friday Midnight, February 2.
Group Discussion on Kevin Kelly’s “Better than Human: Why Robots will—and Must—Take our Jobs”
Discussion Questions on the Reading:
1. Kevin Kelly argues that machines will eventually take over many of the jobs that we now perform. This scenario may seem dire, yet he doesn’t appear at all worried. To the contrary, in fact. Why not? Find statements in the article that explain his attitude.
2. Though he acknowledges that some of his ideas are “hard to believe,” Kelly does not begin by saying explicitly what other ideas or assumptions he’s responding to. How does he begin, and how does that beginning set the stage for his argument?
3. Nicholas Carr is less optimistic than Kelly about the future impact of technology. Who do you find more persuasive, and why?
4. How do you respond to human relationship with robots, summed up into four categories in a chart in the article? Do you agree or disagree to his categories and why?
5. How do you respond to Kelly’s “Seven Stages of Robot Replacement”? Can you think of any real life examples where some jobs went through those stages? Explain.
Homework:
Further research the topics/ideas we discussed in the class. Also, explore other possible topics on emerging technologies and media. You should be able to decide and pick a topic by next week.
Write a letter to a friend this time describing your response to Nicholas Carr’s “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” Post your letter to Canvas by Tuesday Midnight, February 4.
Week 3
February 5, Monday:No In-person Class Due to Inclement Weather. Start drafting the essay—at least three paragraphs—for the beginning, middle or end of the essay. While doing that keep in mind that your writing goal in this progression involves deeply engaging with the arguments of the shared texts, and developing a position(s) of your own.
February 7, Wednesday:
Workshop on finding, contextualizing and evaluating sources for Progression 1 essay: We will take a tour through the library databases to see which ones might best serve our unit inquiry.
1 min idea sharing on your essay topics
Analyzing the beginning and conclusion of two sample essays (download from Canvas)
Homework:
Read chapter 28, “Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing” (pp. 548-561) from Everyone’s An Author.
Now by using three shared texts and at least one secondary source, compose the first draft for Progression 1 essay. Make sure you keep in mind techniques of “quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing” as you compose the essay.
Week 4
February 12, Monday:
Synthesis Heuristic/ Thesis Building Heuristic—(Handouts)
Homework: Based on feedback you received on your thesis, prepare your draft for Peer Review on Wednesday
February 14, Wednesday
Peer Review
Homework: Further build your paper based on peer feedback. Final Draft is due on Monday, February 19.
Write a quick response to the movie, and discuss some responses.
Homework:
1. Read and write a precise summary (In 500 Words) of Chapter 15: “Writing Analytically/ “Let’s Take a Closer Look”” (pp. 234-259) from Everyone’s An Author).Post Summary to Canvas Assignment link by midnight Tuesday, February 20.
2. Get online and locate a media artifact for critical and rhetorical analysis. Read the assignment description carefully and look for the appropriate media artifact (music video, movie/animation clip, video advertisement etc.).
February 21, Wednesday:
In the Class:
1. Generating key critical/rhetorical concepts together from
“Let’s Take a Closer Look”” (pp. 234-259) from Everyone’s An Author.
2. Initial analysis of your media artifact–Critically examining your media artifact: What do you see in your artifact? What signs, symbols? What values or ideologies are being communicated? Whose values or ideologies are those? Who is communicating those values or ideologies? Who is benefitting and who is losing? Does your artifact echo any aspect/s of Miss Representation? How?
Homework:
1. Write a one and half page description of your media artifact. Try to be specific, accurate, and attempt to re-create the artifact as closely as possible in and through words. Post the Description to Canvas Assignment link by midnight, Friday, February 23.
2. Read and summarize in 300-500 words, “Visual Analysis” (pp. 260-267) from Everyone’s An Author. Post summary to Canvas Assignment link by Saturday, February 24.
3. Bring your your media artifact to the class.
Week 6
February 26, Monday:
1.Discussion of Rhetorical terms. Rhetorical angle at the artifact.
Homework:
1. Read and summarize (in 300- 500 words) chapter 19: “Analyzing and Constructing Arguments” (pp. 411-438) from Everyone’s An Author. (Summary due to Canvas Assignment link by Tuesday Midnight, February 27).
2. Read and summarize in 300-500 words Sika A. Dagbovie-Mullins’ “Pigtails, Ponytails, and Getting Tail: The Infantilization and Hyper-Sexualization of African American Females in Popular Culture” (PDF in Canvas).Post Summary to Canvas Assignment link by Tuesday, February 27).
February 28, Wednesday:
1. We will discuss the key concepts related to analyzing arguments.
2. We will also have a group work on Dagbovie-Mullins’ “Pigtails, Ponytails, and Getting Tail: The Infantilization and Hyper-Sexualization of African American Females in Popular Culture” article.
Homework: Read and summarize in 300-500 words Asa Berger’s “Semiotic Analysis” (PDF in Canvas).Post Summary to Canvas Assignment link by Friday, March 1).
Week 7
March 4, Monday:
Asynchronous Class (We don’t meet in the class but complete the following assignment)
Write 500 words on some of the rhetorical and sexual appeals routinely used by advertisers and popular media and submit through Canvas link during the class time.
Homework:
1. Read and summarize (in 300-500 words) Asa Berger’s Chapter” Discourse Analysis” (PDF in Canvas). Post the summary to Canvas Assignment link by Tuesday, March 5).
March 6, Wednesday:
Asynchronous Class (We don’t meet in the class but complete the following assignment)
Write 500 words on how you can use discourse analysis techniques to analyze your chosen video. Describe with some examples. Submit your response through Canvas link during the class time.
Homework: Keep working on your analysis.
Week 8
March 11, Monday: ( We meet in-person in the class today)
Then, we will review some sample Rhetorical Analysis essays (PDFs in Canvas)
Homework:
1. Draft your analysis essay.
March 13, Wednesday
Complete the draft of your rhetorical analysis essay. You must share your draft with your designated peer reviewer during the Spring Break.
View first two videos in the class and discuss these questions:
a. How many types of American Dreams do you see discussed in these two videos?
b. What factors are shaping or supporting those dreams?
3. How is the idea of American dream different in the third video? Do you see any similarities with the first two videos?
4. What’s your idea of American Dream? Do you agree with the ideas of American Dream as expressed in the three videos we watched in class on Wednesday? In what way is your idea of American dream different, if it is? What factors do you consider as the most important in your version of American Dream, and why?
Homework:
1. Read and summarize in 300 words Brandon King’s “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold” (click on the link). Post the summary to Canvas Assignment link by Friday, March 29.
2. Everyone please start exploring your essay topic or research question/s. Remember your essay topic or research question/s should or could be on any issues, questions, debates or controversies associated with the idea of American Dream. Try to look for something you are interested in and want to research further. Be ready to share your tentative topic/research questions to the class on Wednesday.
3. Read Chapter 18: “Making a Proposal” (pp. 370-390) from Everyone’s An Author, and start thinking about your own research proposal for your argument essay project.
Week 11
April 1, Monday:
Cesar Chavez Day (No Class)
April 3, Wednesday:
1. We will unpack Brandon King’s article.
2. Your research: What did you find as the associated issues of “American Dream”?
3. We will read and discuss two sample argument essays from past semesters.
4. We will look at criteria for evaluating print and online sources.
5. We will discuss the components of research proposal (I will have handouts for you).
Homework:
1. Please write a 250-word research essay proposal. (Proposal due to Canvas Assignment link by midnight Friday, April 5).
2. Read and Summarize in 300-500 words Chapter 13: “Arguing a Position: This is Where I Stand” (pp. 154-171) from Everyone’s An Author. Post Summary to Canvas Assignment link by midnight Friday, April 5.
Week 12
April 8, Monday:
1. We will share our research proposals in the class: claim/ thesis, sources, research methods etc.
2. We will look at various elements of argument.
3. We will also do narrowing the focus exercise.
4. Evaluation criteria distributed and explained
Homework: Start drafting the Introduction of your Argument essay
April 10, Wednesday: No Class–Data Collection: Conduct Interviews, Visit your Sites or Conduct Surveys to gather first-hand data sources for your essay.
Homework: Based on data collected and sources found, draft first 4 pages of your essay.
Week 13
April 15, Monday
• Thesis Building Heuristic
• Small Group Peer Feedback on thesis and structure.
Homework: Complete a first draft of your argument essay and get ready for peer review on Wednesday.
April 17, Wednesday
Peer Review
Homework:Revise your draft based on the peer review.
Week 14
April 22, Monday
Start working on the portfolio. Read the portfolio requirements below and begin the revision process for Essay 1 and Essay 2.
Portfolio Requirements:
Your final portfolio should contain electronic copies of your three polished essays (Review Essay final draft, Rhetorical Analysis Essay final draft, and Argument Essay final draft) and a 2 double-spaced reflection on the entire semester–what you learned and how, what readings stood out, and what assignments and writing and research activities benefitted you the most.
Homework: Write course reflection for the portfolio.
April 24, Wednesday
Independent Work (No Class)–Revise your Essay 1 and Essay 2 for your portfolio.
Week 15
April 29, Monday
Revise your draft for Argument Essay and Finalize it.
May 1, Wednesday
Portfolio Workshop.
Homework: Read Bonus Chapter B: “Assembling a Portfolio” fromEveryone’s An Author online at digital.wwnorton.com/everyone4, and use ideas to organize your portfolio.
Week 16
May 6, Monday
Put together portfolio. Write Course reflection. Finalize your Argument Essay.
May 8 , Wednesday
No Class: Your Portfolio is due in Canvas today. Your Argument Essay is also due to Canvas today.
Your final portfolio should contain electronic copies of your three polished essays (Review Essay final draft, Rhetorical Analysis Essay final draft, and Argument Essay final draft) and a 2 double-spaced reflection on the entire semester–what you learned and how, what readings stood out, and what assignments and writing and research activities benefitted you the most. Upload those pieces through Canvas link.
