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.

Blog #2

Your second blog should be dedicated to discussing the literature and media we covered this week: Culture Jam, "It's Gotta be the Cheese," and/or any related media clips. In each of your blogs, you should strive to discuss the materials as specifically as possible. For example, you might discuss a quote in the reading or segment in the media that sparked your interest or evoked some kind of emotional response (laughter, disbelief, anger, amusement, etc.) You might also consider how the texts work together to create a common "conversation" about American consumer culture. What's the bigger picture? What are the over-arching implications of these ideas? Good blogs often have links to outside connections as well. Maybe the materials this week made you think of a commercial, an advertisement, a video clip, a work of art, a poem, etc. Think of your blog as a way to continue the conversation we began together in class.

Remember, that "A" bloggers demonstrate their knowledge of the ideas in the reading and their ability to analyze texts critically and thoughtfully. Avoid generalizing (For example: "The reading was pretty good. I disagreed with a few things though, but I enjoyed it overall...") This really tells your reader nothing about your engagement in the texts.

Your voice as a blogger will emerge the more you begin to write and participate in the blogs of others. I look forward to reading your blogs and engaging each of you to think *critically* about the texts we read together in our class.