Ode to a Classmate--due Wednesday, May 15

COMPLETE THIS TASK INSTEAD OF THE LAST OTHELLO BLOG TASK, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY DUE MAY 9--

Mimicking the short--two to three paragraphs--odes I have shown you from Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People issue, write in praise about a laudable classmate.  Like the Wisdom Retreat, perhaps think about a classmate who isn't as widely-acknowledged as some, due to what our society has come to value and publicly praise the most.  Include (1) a category (Titans, Artists, Pioneers, Icons, Leaders are Time's--use one of these five or create your own category name), (2) her/his name, and (3)  brief tagline/catchphrase ("He gives us life in pictures" or "She gets results" or "Soul seducer" or "Our escort to the future" are examples from Time).  Specifics are better than vagueness, generality, or imprecision, so a time/date/place would make your writing more interesting.  Approach this task seriously or appropriately whimsically.  AND BECOME AN INFLUENTIAL PERSON OF STATURE!

My Favorite; How About Yours?

Life of Pi is my favorite book because it has math, philosophy, religion, spirituality (different from religion), science, nature, ethics, adventure, and everything else anyone could look for in a novel. I found and read this book when I was hungry. I was hungry for the steaks I sold and for knowledge I sought. I remember the summer when I was working as a butcher (at Hy-Vee) and a book-seller (at Barnes and Noble). I'd combine the two jobs to work 15 hours most days, including weekends, trying to get a good start paying my students loans. It was a maddening pace, during which I actually spent a lot of my wages on the two products I peddled: steaks and books. One book that caught my eye had a tiger and a boy on a boat together. It was eye-level on the shelf in the bookstore's new release and staff recommendations section. Once I owned it, I couldn't sleep because my mind was so activated. This is my favorite. What's yours?

(And by the way, Martel is the ultimate "thought criminal"--he sends various books to political leaders to remind them they have the power to influence and create change.)

Advertisement Analysis: Ads & Art--Due Friday, December 12

You all remember the short story by Kurt Vonnegut entitled "Harrison Bergeron"? Do advertisements "handicap" our thinking? I think they do, if we are following a show closely or if we are driving carefully or if we are focusing on __________, then have our focus interrupted by the ubiquitous ads.

Listen to this audio clip from "On the Media," then post a 200+ word reaction (just click the play button). Is this audio clip interesting? What good points does it make? You may include your reactions to what Greta Beller and Whitney Moser presented--or any other exercises, presentations, or discussions we have held in class. First, consider the following questions carefully, then begin typing. At what point does advertising become intrusive? How can we possibly think/buy/decide for ourselves, if we are continually bombarded with messages? How much mind control does the media wield? Is the whole industry corrupt? Why do we obsess over the lives of celebrities? Are the self-esteems of people affected, really, by advertising? This comment is due Friday, December 12, at 11:00 p.m. and is worth 30 points. Remember to type your class period number at the beginning of your comment.

(This ad depicts two young people who, because they use VO5 hair products, are able to find the courage to rebel against Communist China. Seen it on television? The line between movie and advertisement has become a blurry one. Movies have ads in them. Advertisements try to be as much like movies as they can be. Is it good that advertisers attach such major concepts like individuality to their products? Can doing so ever be harmful?)

To See More Vocabulary Quiz Definitions

Do you get the connections we made to the films The Terminator, The Matrix, I, Robot, and others involving the Man vs. Machine theme? Have you seen other movies or read other material that includes this Man vs. Machine theme? Do you like these books and/or films? Are they interesting? We need and fear technology at the same time! Type your class period number in front of your comment, which will help you see more vocabulary quiz definitions now and in the future. (This is not the homework blog post, which is below. This comment is voluntary and made with the hope of seeing more definitions.)

In-Class Blogging Monday, October 13

Today, during class, you have three options. You must do two of the three options today. You must type 40 minutes worth. Here are your options: (1) You are Nurse Ratched. Type using first person. Become her. What are your thoughts of McMurphy? What is your home like? What is your life like outside the mental institution? (2) Have you been programmed to think, believe, hate, love something? Who programmed you? How have you been programmed? (3) Who are the enforcers of conformity in our school? At social events? At games? At work? Is it possible to be a nonconformist? Do you conform, entirely or slightly? Intentionally? Remember to type your class period number in front of your comment.

You Ever "Grown" or "Shrunk" Instantly?

Write 300+ words about a time when you "grew" or "shrunk" instantly, figuratively speaking, of course. This exercise is due Saturday, October 4, at 10:00 p.m. and is worth 20 points. Remember to type your class period number in front of your 300+ words.

This is a picture of Will Sampson as Chief Bromden.

The Working Poor

What are the core problems for Willie and Sarah Goodell (from the yellow handout)? Who should be in charge of making their situation better? At which point does the government need to step in? Do you want to borrow this revealing book to read about the rest of the cases?

Remember to type your class period number in front of your comment.

Show your parent(s) this handout. What do they think of Willie and Sarah Goodell's situation?

Jane Gullickson, Esteemed Alum

Isn't Jane Gullickson great? My hope is that she infects us with her enthusiasm, abilities, and concern for others. Our loosely-planned agenda: 1) examining college life--at USD or any institution; 2) taking Spring Break to East St. Louis; and 3) working in government at Pierre.

Do these children have chances to be like Jane? What are the answers to making sure everyone in America truly has all the opportunities they deserve? And did you see the Challenger newspaper article about Jane (this week)?

The House on Mango Street Life Connection

Select one vignette that relates closely to a life experience you've had. Explain how your emotions were like Esperanza's.

Art's Relevance in Today's--and Tomorrow's--World

Is art relevant today? How? Why/why not? Will art remain relevant? Should art be promoted and developed in schools? (By "art," I mean written art, i.e. novels & poetry; visual art, i.e. paintings and sculptures; and performed art, i.e. plays and oral interpretation--and music, of course.)

Whose Fault?

Whose fault is it, ours or the media's? Is it our fault for only wanting to watch and hear about the terrible things that occur here and around the world (the media wants ratings, you see)? Or is it the media's fault for only giving us the terrible news?

Epstein Analysis (80+ words due Saturday, March 8, by 10:00 a.m.)

(1) Find and read E.L. Epstein's essay on Lord of the Flies in the back of your Lord of the Flies book. It is on pages 203-208. (2) Using 25-35 quoted words of Epstein's, respond to his assertions with 80+ words of your own. Epstein is respected throughout America as a preeminent literary scholar. What do you think about Epstein's ideas?

Please email me or come see me if you have problems.

Harvard's Implicit Association Tests

How much do these Implicit Association Tests uncover? Everyone admits that there is a lot of mental activity occurring that we "are not aware of." With so many brilliant people on campus, the Harvard creators of these IATs must know what they are doing, right?

The Four "-isms"

Do you have any personal stories involving racism, sexism, classism, and/or ageism? Stories you've heard, seen, or been a part of? Esperanza holds the disadvantaged role in each form of prejudgment.

Solutions to complicated problems?

Did Martin Luther King, Jr., make a difference? Certainly some progress has been made. We know there are problems in the United States, but what can be done to solve them? How can poverty be eliminated? Hunger? Racism? Where do the solutions lie--in government policy? In each of our minds? Esperanza is able to examine her neighborhood with a critical, aware, and poetic eye. While reading, we are able to apply this to our lives and capabilities. Consider these websites, then respond: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg1713.cfm

http://www.povertyinamerica.psu.edu/

http://www.soundvision.com/Info/poor/statistics.asp

Super Bowl Advertisements

What is your thesis statement? Is it arguable? Could there be a counterpoint? Is it clear and direct? Is it a statement and not a question? Is it your most profound declaration? A good example: Advertisements like Old Spice's "Get noticed" body spray make men think they can/will be irresistible to women; this creation of false bravado leads to objectification of women and, moreover, distorted notions of what healthy relationships should be.

WHAT TECHNIQUES ARE BEING USED DURING THE SUPER BOWL? ARE THESE ADS EFFECTIVE? (ADVERTISERS SPENT $2.7 MILLION TO GET 30 SECONDS OF TIME DURING THE COMMERCIAL BREAKS!) THESE ADS PROVED EFFECTIVE FOR GODADDY.COM, WHICH SAW A MAJOR BOOM AFTER THEIR PROVOCATIVE SUPER BOWL ADS AIRED WHILE MILLIONS WATCHED.

Advertisement Analysis Essay

How does the media (television, film, radio, billboard, magazine, newspaper...) affect our impulses, decisions, value systems, and culture at large? Is everything you wear a type of advertisement, because it says something about you? Is your car? Is your hairstyle?