Daraja4: October 2013

Monday, October 21, 2013

Midterm Assignment

Using all the knowledge you have acquired in your own research, from your classmates and from the book by West and Smiley, write an essay of no less than 1500 words with proper citations, an original title on a title page, 1" margins, and a Works Cited page at the end.

The essay prompt:

You are invited to a debate on the following topic: "Given the current state of affairs in America, how are young people supposed to situate themselves as engaged citizens of this county,so that they can act honestly and think clearly in order to contribute constructively to this nation."

Your paper will be addressed to a large audience of college students from all walks of life and all levels of college. In your response you will have to include information from all 12 areas that our class researched as well as quotes from the text, The Rich and the Rest of Us.You can tell any story, take any approach you want that will help persuade, engage and edify your audience.

Your paper must have proper citations and a Works Cited page. You can write more than 1500 words, all the way up to 15000 if you like.

Due in class on Monday Oct 28 at 1:30. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. That means at 1:31 your paper is late. You can collaborate and submit joint papers if you like, just sign everbody's name on what you submit.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Beloved Reaidng Schedule and Assignments

Reading Schedule:

Read the first 30 or so pages of Beloved by Wed Oct 30.

Read the entire novel Beloved by Monday Nov. 4th.

DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. IT WILL SURELY RUIN THE BOOK FOR YOU. IT IS A WRETCHED ATTEMPT AT TURNING ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE 20TH CENTURY INTO A MOVIE.

As you read, don't stress on when you feel lost or adrift or confused. Do yourself a favor and just read, and keep reading and keep reading. The book unfolds as it goes on. It is a mystery, so you aren't supposed to know what is happening at all times. You are required to post no less than 6 blogs on this book, each one being 400 words or more. You can write on whatever you want and in whatever style you want. Choose particular moments in the book and riff. Take yourself back and put your feet into the footprints of these characters. Give yourself every opportunity to fall headlong with abandon inside of this book. If you write something personal just send it to me in an email. All of your blog posts will be due by Monday Nov. 11th.

Midterm blog posts required

In doing the background research and the actual writing of your midterm, you need to submit three separate blog posts with the following titles:

1) Name of subject area you researched, (ie. Corporate Welfare or Health Care or ...) Bibliography with research reflection. Your bibliography should be a typical Works Cited page. You will also write 300-500 words on your research process, how you prepared for sharing it with your classmates and how you feel about what you learned. Make sure to count the words when you submit. Also include any handouts you shared with the class.

2) A 250-300 word description of the process and collaboration you went through to complete your midterm. Again count your words.

3) The midterm itself, which will be a minimum of a 1500 word essay on the topic assigned. Include proper citations and an original title, with clear thesis, topic sentences and well developed paragraphs.

The midterm itself is due in class on Monday Oct 28, 130 sharp. Items 1 and 2 above are due by Tuesday Oct 29 at midnite. As you know, my main passion here is for you all to collaborate effectively and profoundly, each one of you carrying the water, so that you will be brilliant and highly analytical as a community.