Blog #10 Final Blog!

In your final blog for this class, reflect on the collective themes and ideas we have considered through our reading and discussion as a whole.

Looking back, consider what you have really learned in this class. What ideas helped to activate or motivate or inspire or anger or move you in some way? In what new ways have you found yourself responding to "literature"? How have the issues we've encountered and discussed in class helped you to solidify your own personal opinions or beliefs? Feel free to address these questions in any way that makes sense to you.

Here is some of what we've attempted to accomplish this semester:

Nonfiction: Culture Jam, "The Dumbest Generation" Bauerlein,"You Have Insulted Me" by Vonnegut
Fiction: Feed, 1984, Hunger Games, Fahrenheit 451, "The Lottery," "The Most Dangerous Game," "Harrison Bergeron," etc.
Essays: from Walden by Henry David Thoreau, "Self-Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Poetry: "America, It's Gotta be the Cheese" by Aton Kadosh, "Dover Beach" by Arnold
Video documentary: Second Skin, The Most Hated Family in America, Super-Size Me
Movies and movie clips: Gladiator, Into the Wild, 1984, Dead Poet's Society, Equilibrium
Television: Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, Survivor, UFC, Real Housewives, advertising
Because it's good for you: Verdi, Mozart, Warhol, VanGogh, Nietzsche,
Issues: Consumerism, "Plentitude", "Virtual" Reality, American excess, the "Thoreau Challenge," the "spectacle" of television, voyeurism--who's watching whom? Privacy, our Constitutional Freedoms, National security, Reality TV, Censorship, Book Burning, and more...

Looking back, I'm really proud of all that we were able to achieve together! You've been a great class, and you have taught me, your professor, just as much (if not more) as I hope I have taught you.

I look forward to your reflections.

FINAL BLOG DUE: SAT. 12/3 by MIDNIGHT, COMMENTS TUES. BY NOON.

Blog #8: Hunger Games Connections

In your blogs this week, discuss any of the reading, media, and/or themes we have discussed related to the Hunger Games.

I want you to feel free to approach this blog from any angle or perspective that interests you. If you're stuck, you might try expanding on one of the discussion questions from class. You might, for example, attempt to answer the question, "Are we not yet entertained?" You might speculate on what it is about our human nature that craves violence and "drama." You might write about how American Idol is a type of Hunger Games, or comment on the "inspirations" that our author, Collins, discusses in her interview. Maybe you're interested in thinking about our society's constant quest for "15 minutes of fame." You might consider "who is playing who" in both the Hunger Games and in our own "Games" today.

There are many paths and approaches to choose from....

BLOG DUE SUN MIDNIGHT, COMMENTS TUES. NOON.

"May the odds be ever in your favor..."

Let the "Games" Begin!

In his article written in 2000, Gabler asks, "What makes reality so darn entertaining?" And, arguably, this is a question yet worthy of our examination today. Perhaps most notable--or provocative--about Gabler's assertions, however, is that reality television has resulted in a culture of voyeurs. What part do we play as "viewers" and "fans" in the "reality" of these programs? In what way do we (as the audience of these "games") influence the "games" themselves?

Watch an hour of reality television – let’s just say it’s for "educational purposes." :) Provide a brief synopsis of the episode and, if possible, a small video clip from the episode. Who are the characters (or what Gabler would call the "hostages") that you responded to? Did you enjoy watching the show? What makes the show alluring? Most importantly, what is your role as the viewer (dare I say voyeur) of this show?--don't pretend that your role doesn't matter! Reality TV wouldn't work if you didn't choose to watch it!

I look forward to reading your creative and thought-provoking responses!

BLOG #7 DUE: Sunday 11/5 MIDNIGHT Comments: Monday NOON

Blog #6: Big Brother

It is not uncommon to hear our present culture and society described as "Orwellian." Who is "Big Brother" in the novel? How/Where does "Big Brother" exist today? Have we lost our right to privacy? Does privacy still exist? Are we willing to give up our basic freedoms in order to feel "safe"? Feel free to write any thoughts you have on the novel 1984 and consider contemporary connections to the themes in this novel.

Blog #5: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..."

Could you live here?

For this week's blog, feel free to focus on or extend any of the conversations we engaged in together on Tuesday or Thursday. You might consider, for example, how Emerson and Thoreau's words resonate with your own beliefs and values. You might speculate about whether or not you--like Thoreau--could give up all of your worldly possessions (and technology) and live a life of solitude (for one year) in a secluded wood. Could you? What might you learn about yourself if you did?

You might instead make further connections between Thoreau, Emerson, Lasn, and Anderson's texts. What conversation do they create as a whole?

What "verse" will you "contribute"?

Blog #4 Are you the Dumbest Generation?

So, are you?

Use your blog this week to discuss the readings and viewing associated with Bauerlein's book The Dumbest Generation. What were your reactions to this media? What did you discuss in your groups that's worth considering in more depth in your blogs? Is there any merit to what Bauerlein says regarding your generation? why/why not. Remember to think and write critically. While I am encouraging your "reactions" to this material, I am also looking for how you think through these ideas in meaningful ways!

P.S. You might find this Chat with Mark Bauerlein of interest to you.

Blog #3 Cyberspace vs. Face to Face

In Culture Jam, Lasn argues that our emotions have become "emoticons." He wonders whether our authenticity has become fractured into a "multitude" of identities. In Second Skin, we are asked to consider if "synthetic worlds" are "real" worlds. Do the identities we occupy "virtually" have real significance, value, and meaning? Is cyberspace the "new frontier" or is it a vast, and endless, wasteland?

Using both the assigned reading and your response to the video documentary, demonstrate your ability to think critically about these ideas. Feel free to use the questions posted here as a starting point. You might also reference quotes you felt were in some way provocative or compelling. Questions on the viewing sheet would also be appropriate for extended response in your blogs.

Remember, it's important to move beyond "first impressions." If the media caused a "knee-jerk" reaction, pause for a moment and consider why. Investigate the rationale behind your reactions. Construct a thoughtful, academic response--that references the texts of study--in your blog.

Your third blog is due Friday Sept. 16. Comments are due on Monday Sept. 19 by noon.