September 7, 2010 Archives

As we introduce blogging into the course, we will start slow, and there will be time in class for workshopping and trouble-shooting. We'll need a little time to adjust to the way technology affects the classroom, but my intention is always to push the house-keeping and info-dumping outside of class-time, to save more our limited class time for high-value, face-to-face discussions.

So what's going on?

In addition to these 15 minutes of video, notice that for today I've also posted a 30-minute audio lecture.  I might have delivered both during class, but instead I'm assigning them for you to listen to and watch outside of class. My intention is to put move as much as possible of the one-way "info dump" out of the classroom, so that during our limited class time, we spend more time doing face-to-face work.

You're welcome to play these files while folding your laundry or during your commute. The idea is that when you come to class on Wednesday, you'll be ready to talk (and write) about this material. (Hint... there's a four-letter word that starts with Q.)

By 5pm Monday Tuesday, complete a brief online exercise that prepares you for Wednesday's class.

To prepare, read Chapters 1-6 of The Scarlet Letter. (Note that there is a long introduction before Chapter 1... I am not assigning that introduction.)

Last week, there was a GriffinGate component to this assignment. This time, there won't be. All you need to know is right here, on this page.

The Scarlet Letter 1-6 -- AmLit Prediscussion Podcast 3.mp3

Postponed from Sep 01, so that we'll have a little more time to try writing in class first.

What is the assignment?

Your instructions:

Create a single word processor file to hold all your answers, and when you are finished, upload that single file to Turnitin.com.  The Course ID is 3449398, and the class password is "nosummary" (reminding you that literary analysis is not the same thing as plot summary).

Prepare your file with standard MLA headings, a give it the title "Exercise 1: Close Reading Practice"

 

Note that I am not assiging "The Cusom-House: Introductory to "The Scarlet Letter"