Archive for February, 2007

Controversial Issues Blog

February 27, 2007 at 11:38 am · Filed under Assignments

For this blog, I want you to take a few minutes and create a brainstorm list of possible topics for your researched essay. You will need to be arguing one side of a controversial issue. Therefore, it might be of help for you to view the Ashley X blog first and spend some time watching the news to see what other controversial issues are in the news right now. This is not to say that you must limit yourself to these controversies; if there is a controversy that you are aware of that is not in the news right now, like the Ashley X issue, you can include that in your brainstorm list as well. You need to get this in before Wednesday midnight so that we can compile a grand brainstorm list in class.

Keep in mind that you must complete both this blog and the Ashley X blog before midnight on Wednesday.

See you in class on Thursday.

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Your Thoughts on Ashley X

February 27, 2007 at 9:11 am · Filed under Assignments

Over the next few weeks, we will be discussing controversial issues and preparing you for the writing of your major researched essay. Since the essay must cover a controversial issue, I thought we might look at an issue that is controversial, yet on the periphery of the news recently. Before class on Thursday I want you to take a look at the blog written by the parents of Ashley X. Browse through the pictures and read the main page. Reading the remainder of the blog, at this point, is up to you. We will be reading it for a future homework assignment, but I don’t mind if you go ahead and read this.

When you have finished reading the blog, take a few minutes and react to the blog on your own blog. If you wish, link the parents’ blog to your own so that your audience is well aware of what you are talking about. Don’t censor yourself in your writing, just give me your initial reaction to the blog. From your responses I will be pulling some material that is pertinent for discussion in class. You need to have this blog completed no later than midnight Wednesday so that you can have a chance at being one of the blogs discussed in class and so that you can receive credit for completing your blog.

Add comments if you have questions. Happy Blogging!

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Annotated Bibliography and Research Prospectus Notes

February 27, 2007 at 8:37 am · Filed under Assignments

Since everybody is relying on the blog as their main source of information, I’m adding a new form of post. Within the post, I’ll be adding the key points to the units that we’re covering and then, as an attachment, I’ll add the actual unit syllabus. We’ll start this with the upcoming unit. Read the rest of this entry »

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So you can’t see the comments to your essay?!

February 24, 2007 at 11:46 pm · Filed under Instructions for Students

I’ve spoken to a couple of you and discovered that there are essays that appear to have come back without comments. Well this is simply not the case. What you need to do to see the comments that I’ve left on your essay is open up the Preference Pane in Word (I think this is under the File menu), find the Track Changes option and make sure that you have selected the option to see changes in bubble comments. This should automatically turn on the comments I’ve left. If not, try reopening the document. If you’re still having problems, either let me know via comment or email or ask me in class on Tuesday.

Also, if you have more specific directions for turning this feature on, please let me know. (I’m on a Mac, so my PC skills are a bit rusty at times.)

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Week Six Review/Week Seven Preview

February 24, 2007 at 8:47 am · Filed under Assignments, Course Notes, Weekly Review

We’re reaching the final day of the Cultural Understanding Unit and preparing to move directly into the Researched Essay Unit. I must commend you all for your ability to work together as small groups. You’ve had a brief reprieve from your blog, but this week we will be returning to the blog work. As we progress through the remainder of the semester, you will need to keep up with the blog even more than before. The reason for this is two fold. You will be given some assignments that will aid in our class discussion, but you will see more assignments that directly relate to your essay topics. These blogs will directly help you create your researched essay and will provide you with a chance to receive feedback earlier in the writing process. And now, without further ado, the blog. Read the rest of this entry »

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Week Five Review Week Six Preview

February 18, 2007 at 9:02 pm · Filed under Assignments, Course Notes, FYC, Instructions for Students, Weekly Review

As we venture into our short unit on Cultural Understanding, we’ll bring the blogging to a brief halt so that you have adequate time to prepare for your presentations. A few reminders as we proceed, though. Read the rest of this entry »

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