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Homework for 4/23

Here is a link to the handout on propaganda techniques.

Again, your instructions for tonight:
Using the worksheet, look at some online political advertisements/commercials. Try to find examples of at least half of the techniques we have talked about in class over the past two days. In the middle column, write how the technique is used, and on the right, tell me where you found it. Here are some non-youtube links you can use to check out ads:

Living Room Candidate
2008 Election Ads
Washington Post Database of Ads

Also, since I'm asking you to do this for homework, I've extended the blog deadline until 11:59pm TOMORROW. Also, don't forget to respond to your critical friends!

Handmaid's Tale Major Assessment Survey

Click here to take the survey!

Your blogs

All of your blogs are now on a sidebar on the right under "My Blog List," so you can quickly access the blogs of your critical friend and your other classmates. They are arranged in the order that they have been updated. Don't forget to post by midnight tonight!

Task for today and Wednesday

Each of you has received an email asking you to create a pbwiki account. An account is needed in order for you to edit your wiki. You will have part of today and all of tomorrow to work on your wikis together. Here are your instructions for today:

1. Spend at least 20 minutes finishing your discussion and finding your neologisms, biblical language, and Offred's language musings. You don't need to rush through the discussion to get to creating the wiki.
2. Each of you will need to create your pbwiki account.
3. Delete my greeting, then begin editing!

Here is our wiki:
http://msaaland1415.pbwiki.com

Neologisms

Here is some more information on neologisms.

Reading Schedule for Handmaid's Tale

The dates to the left of the chapters are when you should have completed the reading by:

4/14 - Ch. 18-20
4/15 - Ch. 21-23
4/16 - Ch. 24-26
4/17 - Ch. 27-28
4/20 - Ch. 29-31
4/21 - Ch. 32-34
4/22 - Ch. 35-37
4/23 - Ch. 38-40
4/24 - Ch. 41-44
4/26 - finish!

Handmaid's Tale Blogs

While we read The Handmaid's Tale during this unit, you will not be required to keep any reading logs. However, I will ask you to post a minimum of six (6) blog entries where you think through thoughts and feelings that you have in response to the material we study, the class discussions and activities that we engage in, and any other experience you have with the unit topic. You may choose to start a new blog, or you can continue with the blog you began during the last unit. If you would like to change your blog URL, you need to let me know by Tuesday, April 14^th (as your next entry is due the following day).

If you would like to review the criteria for the blog, look at the directions from the Left Hand blog task on our class blog. Do keep in mind that your entries need to be more than just a summary of the text, a minimum of 150 words each, and must be posted by 11:59pm (before midnight) on the date the blog is due in order to receive full credit (5 points) for each entry. I would recommend that you do not wait until the deadline to upload your entries, as any entries posted after midnight will be considered late and will receive half credit. Also, if you prefer writing by hand, you may wish to compose your entries on paper and type them later.

Note: Although there are seven (7) deadlines listed below, you only need to post six (6) times. This means you get one freebie! You may choose any one of the seven days to drop, and you do not need to let me know in advance. I would recommend not using your freebie right away in case you have problems with internet access, a big project or a test in another class, or you just plain forget! If you do post more than six entries, you will receive two (2) participation points for each full entry you make (and 1 point for shorter entries).

As soon as possible, you should choose one classmate to be your “critical friend” as we explore, analyze, critique, and discuss The Handmaid's Tale and the issues it addresses. You will be responsible for posting a timely response on your critical friend's blog at least four times throughout the unit. The purpose here is that your critical friends will help support you as you develop your understanding of the text, and the surrounding topics we discuss in class. Please do not wait until the last minute to respond to your critical friend. Your entries should meet the 150-word length requirement, and any additional responses to your critical friend or any other of your classmates will earn you participation points.

Due Dates for Blogs

4/13 – Blog #1

4/15 – Blog #2

4/17 – Blog #3

4/21 – Blog #4

4/23 – Blog #5

4/27 – Blog #6

4/29 – Blog #7

Spring Break HW

Read pgs. 1-99 of The Handmaid's Tale. Post one 150-word blog entry by 11:59pm on Monday, 4/13.

Have a great break and don't forget to explore your city and do something fun!
Tomorrow is free day at the museums, check it out! The YBCA has an exhibition which looks especially cool.
Yerba Buena
SF Moma
Museum of Craft Art and Folk - installations of artists re-creating their working spaces
Legion of Honor
de Young
Cartoon Art Museum

further info

Some links for you:

Social Construction
Social construction at wikipedia
An interesting flickr pool of photos showing social constructs and contrasts
Some basic info about social constructs and race
A longer article on social construction
Social construction of gender


Ursula K. Le Guin


Feminism
Feminism at wikipedia
Feminist scifi at wikipedia
Feminist scifi and fantasy

Joanna Russ

Octavia Butler

Don't forget to upload your reports to turnitin.com by 11:59pm tomorrow! Also, please bring your copies of Left Hand and your journals and reading logs along with you to class tomorrow.