promo video

Per Nick Lycan: tomorrow at lunch there will be a promo video shoot in 608 featuring blogs and their authors. Be there and be rewarded. If you have questions/suggestions you can contact Nick directly via his blog or email (nicklycan@comcast.net)

January 31

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel; "Street Fighting Man" by The Rolling Stones; "Harvard Fight Song" by Tom Lehrer]

Fighting/competing is a simple way to depict conflict. There is usually a "good guy" and a "bad guy" (or a sympathetic "underdog"), and the audience can cheer and boo without thinking too deeply. What does this suggest about human nature and the way we identify with what we see and read? When is a fight just a fight, and when does it symbolize something larger? Reflect on the novels you've read, describe a portrayal of inner/outer struggle that DIDN'T involve an obvious contest of strength/will. What literary techniques made this poignant and memorable?

AGENDA:
1. Journal/about your journals
2. Call for Kudos
3. Think like the Dickens

HW:
1. Post a paragraph (or several) to your blog in which you explicate the first 10-15 pp. of your Dickens novel using what you learned in lecture today.
2. Email any additional thoughts re: CWGs (full descriptions & sign-ups in class tomorrow)

sdrawkcab gniklat lrig

It took me a minute to get the post title right. This is impressive. (thanks, BoingBoing)

Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine

Since most of you have never seen The Gong Show (and therefore don't realize how much fun TV can actually be), here you go:

January 30

TOPIC: ["Resignation Superman" by Big Head Todd & The Monsters; "Birthday" by the Beatles; "I Just Want to Celebrate" by Rare Earth]
How do you prepare for a big event or test? Describe in detail, as if you're coaching someone else.

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Catching up: Dickens, blogs, literature analysis

HW:
1. Literature analysis #1 due (embedded document on your blog) by tomorrow (1/31)
2. Make sure you're caught up on all other work

Article on ADD drugs

I can't remember who had the BQ about attention/focus, but this article may be of interest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/opinion/sunday/childrens-add-drugs-dont-work-long-term.html

January 26

JOURNAL TOPIC: [today's tunes: "Taking Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive; "21st Century Digital Boy" by Bad Religion; "At Last" by Etta James]

Please evaluate this week's peer-to-peer learning experience. To what extent are you and your colleagues ready to drive the learning process, and to what extent do you require extrinsic motivation/discipline?

AGENDA:
1. Journal
2. Lit terms quiz
3. "Indifferent" stragglers
4. Summary of calendar & old/new business
5. Docstoc

HW:
1. Create docstoc account
2. Write BQ introduction (3-5 pp. typed, 10 citations) and embed on blog by Sunday (1/29) night
3. Post literature analysis as soon as you're finished (officially due Tue, 1/31)
4. Create a post for your blog that explains the title of the Dickens book you selected