Library 207

When we return from spring break (Monday, March 18), we will meet at LI 207 at 1:00.  This is 100 points.  Don't miss it.  You should also have picked a research paper topic.  If you still have no idea, google "research paper topics" and you'll find lists of subjects.  Pick one.  Anyone.

I'm sorry to have missed you on Wednesday.  It was my turn to be sick.  Monday will be workshop day.  Please bring 4 copies of your draft. 100 points.  When we come back from the break, we'll begin our final research papers.

Keep coming to class.  Keep doing your work.  We're more than half way through.  Yippey Skippy.

Workshop for draft tomorrow--bring 4 copies 100pts

Synthesis paper assignment sheet.  The paper will be 3-4 pp. double spaced.  Use MLA styling. 100 points.

In a synthesis paper you explore connections and contradictions among a group of texts on one subject: immigration reform.  I want you to use four (4) texts, three of them from your text book:  the blogs written by Dee, Byron Williams and Victor Davis Hansen (pp. 324-328) and one blog of your own choosing.  Each blog is relatively short.

This paper is a practice run for the research paper that will end the semester.

What do these texts have in common and how do they differ?  You might want to make a list before you get started.  Remember to read carefully.  Define any terms you don’t completely understand.

For Monday,  I want you to write an introduction (1 to 2 pp.) that describes the issues and how each writer approaches it.  The introduction should end with a thesis.

Bring 4 copies of the introduction to class for a workshop. 100 points.  Do not miss class.

Writing a thesis for a Synthesis paper.  Your text book offers a low-level, two sentence example of a thesis and a high-level, one-sentence thesis.  (It’s always more difficult to write one sentence than two).

1.  Whereas Ritzer focuses on the way high-tech society makes us homogenous and superficial, Turkle focuses on how the Internet unsettles traditional views of the self.  Although I agree with Ritzer’s argument that McDonaldization is dehumanizing, I think that role-playing MUDs is actually a healthy way to oppose McDonaldization and expresses human desire to be creative, to develop the self, and to make human connections.

2. Ritzer’s attack on technological society and Turkle’s more optimistic belief that it offers opportunity for growth and discovery have together forced me to consider the superficiality and vulnerability of human relationships in our high-tech society. 

Notice how the writer has incorporated his own views into the essay.  You should have some new insights by the end of your paper and be able to share them with your readers.

As in the “Ophelia” paper, your audience is a diverse and educated group of readers, who won’t necessarily have read any of the blogs you are writing about, so you need to describe them briefly.  Use paraphrases and quotes to support your view.

Figure 12.1 on p. 321 of our text offers you two frameworks for a Synthesis essay.  Look this over carefully, before you write anything.

Immigration reform

Here's a question:  to what degree is finding a fair immigration reform about RACE?  The author, Dee, of the first blog confronts white America.  "She sounds like a racist," we said.  Is it possible that she is drawing attention to the fact that white America has been racist toward people of color for generations (and continues to be)?

Read the 5 articles on immigration reform and write a summary of each.  Do it!  Often authors summarize their main ideas toward the end of the article, so you might look carefully at conclusions.

Find three more websites on immigration reform, summarize them, and bring all to class on Wednesday.  The next big paper is on synthesizing the ideas on immigration reform.  YOU HAVE TO DO THE READING BEFORE YOU CAN DO THE WRITING.

READ.  READ.  READ.

Keep coming to class.  No one's failing so far.  Keep up the good work.

2nd Schedule

­Continuing 1010-037 Schedule

Mon. Feb. 11                        Freud Day

Wed. Feb. 13                        Read the essays about immigration in Allyn Bacon, pp. 323-330.                                                  Write a paragraph summary of each essay (5).

Mon. Feb 18                        NO CLASS

Tues. Feb. 19            NO CLASS           

Wed. Feb. 20            Bring  three  articles to class on the issue of immigration that you found on the internet. (Try looking on Google Scholar)

Mon. Feb. 25.            Writing a synthesis paper.

Wed. Feb. 27            Draft of synthesis paper due (3 copies workshop)  3 to 4 pages

                                    WORKSHOP

Mon. Mar. 4            FINAL DRAFT OF IMMIGRATION PAPER DUE.

                                    Read “Paintball” in class (359).

Wed. Mar 6.            Possible paper topics for your final paper.

                                    The final research paper

                                    SPRING BREAK

Mon. Mar. 18            Hand in a paragraph on the subject of your research paper

                                    LIBRARY DAY

Due Monday

I wrote an assignment on the board and I don't remember what it was.  Duh.  I think it was to find ad that you like and write why it appeals to you.

Does that sound right?

Due Wed. Feb. 4

What is due is the final draft of your essay about the Ophelia Syndrome.  Attached to that essay should be the first draft (I don't care if it's written on) and the worksheet from today.  Staple it all together.

BRING YOUR ALLYN & BACON TEXTBOOK ON WEDNESDAY!