Discussion n. 9: due FEB 17

Did you take a look at the new comment left on the youtube video on my lecture on Italian cartoons?

Here is the link.  LINK

 

No need to comment here, but you can add your two cents to the video commentary.

 

 

Discussion n. 8: due Feb 17

1) Analyze the comments I made to your Feb 10 assignment. What was your reaction?
(DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE GRADE YOU RECEIVED. THAT'S NOT THE POINT OF THIS EXERCISE)

SEPARATE PARAGRAPH

2) Compare your work to that of Gabriela. What conclusions do you draw?


Incidentally, I want you to know that Gabriela was not the only one to perform well in the assignment. So, if you are satisfied with your work, by all means, feel free to say so (I AM TALKING ABOUT WHETHERYOU WERE HAPPY WITH  THE QUALITY OF YOUR OWN WORK, NOT THE GRADE YOU GOT!)

Discussion n. 7: due FEB 17

Here is one of the good samples from last assignment (written by Gabriela -- thank you, very good job).

Here is my structural analysis (in short):  the input caused a strong emotional reaction, and she acknowledged it.
But, she didn't freeze up. She was quickly able to delve into herself and she found in her own personal history (tribal?)  the reason why she responded that way.
But she didn't stop there. Anger, disgust and revulsion are, in psychological terms, "primitive" responses.
She moved from the emotional to the rational. In this sphere, she took into account rational thought and knowledge of history and society, and she was able to put the new information into a context.

OK, my analysis is convoluted and hypercomplicated, but, you can see in her process how she went from emotion to thoughts to clearly articulated ideas.

In your COMMENTS, very plainly, say if you think she expressed her ideas clearly and if she was able to communicate where she stands in terms of her personal moral universe.

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Task 5: anti- Italian cartoons

            When I first watched the video of the Italian-American cartoons, I was undoubtedly shocked, disgusted, and offended. Through all my years of studying history I had no idea Italians were seen as such a “pest” to the American people. I was very offended watching this because it made me realize that my grandparents may have faced this horrible racism

when they first came to this country, and I know they did not deserve it, since they were hardworking immigrants.  The cartoons depicting Italians as lazy and rats made me feel particularly disgusted. From my family’s own personal experiences here in America, I know they were not lazy. My great- grandfather, Gaspare Mortillaro, was one of the two elevator operators during the triangle shirtwaist fire who helped to save hundreds of young girls from a burning building.

Hearing that people didn’t recognize all the good that Italian immigrants did for our country shocks and repulses me.

However, after thinking about it for a few minutes, I realized that I really shouldn’t even be surprised. We have seen immigrants up to this very day get scrutinized and hated for simply being from another country. Today, Mexicans living in America, whether they are citizens or not, fall victim to the harsh racism in this country. This made me realize that although I am still disgusted and offended, I am not really as shocked, because America has a history from the very beginning of discriminating against anyone different.

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This is what you should strive for. SIMPLE, GENUINE analysis of how your own personal emotions become ideas. Because, that's the only thing worth writing about.

Discussion n. 6: due FEB 10

If you were not in class last TUE,

what do you think would have captured your interest the most?

1) by looking at the notes of the lecture

2) and after reading the comments by classmates in Discussion n. 4

Comment with TWO distinct paragraphs.

(Comments n 1 and 2 were posted before I made changes to the assignment. Don't use them as example.)

 

Discussion n.5: due FEB 10

TRIBE:

Are you comfortable with the notion that you belong to a tribe?

Do you feel you belong to a tribe? Based on what 'tests' or criteria?


REPLY to the most interesting and original comments that present aspects and arguments you did not think about.

Discussion n 4: due FEB 10

Comment in two separate paragraphs.

1) PARAGRAPH 1: READ your classmates' comments and write about something nobody has mentioned yet (i.e. choose an original detail.

Thinking back about the first meeting, choose a SMALL DETAIL that made a particular impression on you, something that your remember and still makes you think.
Why?
What does it say about you that you remember that particular?
(It can be about anything: the cartoons, the course requirements, stereotyping, 5-minute university,  etc. etc.)


2)  PARAGRAPH 2: Explain the students who were not in class what in your opinion was the most important thing you took away from the meeting (in other words: what did they miss.)

Discussion n. 3: "Credibility"

Click this link and open the document.

As you read these messages think about them in terms of "credibility."

Then, write your comments about what you learned.


GUIDELINES FOR ALL BLOG COMMENTS:

• Full, complete sentences. You are not sending a text or chatting on FB.
• Accuracy in spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation.
• Civility.
• Comments are conversations with your classmates. Make sure THEY understand what you are trying to say.
• Do not address your comments to me. You are communicating with the rest of the class.

Discussion n. 2: "How dare you?"

Click this LINK and read the document.

1) Analyze your first, immediate reaction.

2) Then, as a separate process, ask yourself the reason for this requirement.

3) Write your comment. You can skip n. 1 if you are not comfortable disclosing your first reaction. If you are, go ahead and answer.  Everybody must address n. 2.


GUIDELINES FOR ALL BLOG COMMENTS:

• Full, complete sentences. You are not sending a text or chatting on FB.
• Accuracy in spelling, grammar, syntax, punctuation.
• Civility.
• Comments are conversations with your classmates. Make sure THEY understand what you are trying to say.
• Do not address your comments to me. You are communicating with the rest of the class.

Discussion 1: Self introduction

INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR CLASSMATES

Write your mini autobiography introducing yourself to your classmates.

Skip the details about your school and college career (courses, major, employment goals.)

Focus rather on your "intellectual" history: the books, films, hobbies and creative activities that helped you grow.

Avoid mentioning the "most important people" in your life. Keep the focus on yourself and your personal, individual, unique path, the choices you made that took you where you are.

(This may take more than the traditional 3 minutes of standard platitudes and laundry list of achievements. Actually, failures or dead-ends are more interesting than success stories.)

Feel free to reply to your classmates' comments.

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Here is a powerful example. This was the very first comment posted by a student in a previous semester: it set the tone for the entire class.

"Hello, my name is ________________. Most of my life has revolved around cancer. Although I am not a cancer “survivor” I have survived cancer. A couple of days after my sixth birthday my younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia. My life changed. At a very young age I had to learn to take care of myself. To escape the lonely feelings I started writing in a journal. Writing made me feel at peace. Music and dancing also lifted me. Performing during my recitals, parades and charity events was thrilling and liberating. As I was starting to feel in control of my life, here comes cancer again. This time attacking my mother and my aunt, which were diagnosed with breast cancer. Immediately, I had to learn how to manage my feelings of anger. As a freshman in high school, I decided to join the cheer team. Performing to express my anger worked. I moved up fast and became varsity captain. As Captain of the cheerleading team I was accountable not only for myself but also for my teammates. I improved my skills on how to be a leader, and take responsibility for my actions and words. Throughout my stages of development, I was unconsciously characterizing and identifying myself. In Piaget’s stages of cognitive development theory, children experience sensorimotor. That is when they are experiencing the world through senses and actions. That is who I was; I first observed and then determined to face my fears. I never said, “I can not do it,” I just did it even if it was a challenge I did not stop until I succeeded. Cancer was one of the many situations that helped me grow into the person I am today. Ironically someone approached me at my job a few days ago, and said “ I see the care you have for people in your eyes, not many have that.”