Welcome to English 250!

Welcome to English 250! I'm excited to read and engage in each of your personal blogs. In your blog, you will be asked to write on any topic/issue/idea that captured your attention or interest in the reading or in-class discussion. Each week, I will ask you to review the ideas shared in class and in your reading and post a blog of your ideas and perspectives. You will also be required to post a comment on each of your response group member's blogs. Your blog is due on Friday of each week and your comments are due by the following Monday, unless otherwise stated. Please refer to your syllabus for specific blog expectations. Blog record sheets will be collected and graded sporadically throughout the semester.

For your first (test) blog, please introduce yourself to your peers. What are your interests/hobbies? What is your major/minor? What interested you in this class? What was the last book you read? What type of popular culture are you interested in? Music, movies, television, video games, art, etc. What are your past experiences reading "literature"? What is literature, in your opinion?

In addition, you should be personalizing your blog with biographical info, pictures, videos, your blog lists, etc. Setting up your blog is your first assignment in this class. Please ask your peers for help, ask a computer attendant on campus, or ask me if you are having difficulty setting up or designing your blog. Don't wait until the last minute, or you will fall behind in your weekly blogging. One class period will be spent on setting up and personalizing your blogs.

In each of your blogs, I am looking for honesty, evidence of critical thinking, knowledge of the texts assigned for reading, thoughtfulness, and originality. Stretch yourself. This blog represents the major written component of this class, and as such, I expect it to be carefully composed and prepared.

By Friday of the first week, you should have your blog set up and "styled." You should also have your personal "introduction" posted. Be sure to answer each of the questions posted here in your first blog. Check Desire2Learn for copies of any course materials you may need: Syllabus, schedule, blog record sheets, etc. Return to class ready to discuss any assigned reading with both your peer groups and in whole-class discussion.

I'm looking forward to reading each of your blogs and engaging in your ideas throughout the semester! Happy blogging!