English 5, Critical Thinking

We're done with the semester and your grades are in. If you need to know your grade before it is posted online or want your final project grade, please email me. Projects will be left outside my office (Vista 314) beginning June 21st. I will leave them outside for the duration of summer school. I will place any remaining projects outside my office the first week of fall semester. If you are not interested in having your project returned, let me know. I'd love to use some as examples for next year.

Thanks everyone for making it a great semester. I hope y'all enjoyed the class as much as I did. Enjoy your summer.

The following links and assignments will take you till the end of the semester. Please read the instructions and due dates carefully.

Tabloid news is headline news.
More and more we are seeing tabloid or "fluff" stories making headlines. Examine a recent story that made the news that you think barely warranted a blip on the radar. Why did this story receive so much attention? Is this what the public wants, or is this what the media wants us to have? Can't think of any "fluff" stories? Here are a few off the top of my head:
-Janet Jackson's nipple at the Superbowl, Bennifer, The Passion of the Christ, Brad and Jen's break up (or any celebrity break up for that matter), the Michael Jackson trial, Britney's pregnancy, "Woman finds finger in her chili and turns out to be a crook," "Bride runs away from upcoming wedding and pretends it is a kidnapping." I think you get the picture.

OR

Discuss a story that did not get enough media coverage (the demand for an Ohio recount, for example). Why did this story go ignored? Who benefited from the story being underreported? How does it affect the public to be uninformed about the issues raised in the story?

Day class: Due 5/12
Night class: Due 5/17

I have created a list of media websites (hopefully all the links work). Using one of the following websites (or one you already are familiar with), write an annotated bib on a feature story. Look at not only what is being said, but also how it is said. Are their biases, agendas, omitted information? If you are liberal and looking at a liberal website, make sure to be objective and think critically about the content. (Same if you are conservative looking at a conservative site) I’ve done my best to include links to liberal and conservative minded sites. I think it would be good for you to look at the other side of the fence. See what is being written about and compare the angles each side is taking on the same story and what stories are being focused on. I don’t recommend writing your annotated bib on a story from the opposing side because I think you’ll find it too easy to tear it apart.
Again, don't have to limit yourself to the sites listed below, but all of the sites are useful and interesting (at least to me).

Media Research Center

Accuracy In Media

AlterNet

FAIR

Independent Media Center

Michael Moore

Media Matters

Due 5/17 (night and day classes)

We'll begin by looking at two reporters that have gained fame by falsifying stories. Stephen Glass worked for The New Republic and you can read about him in this Forbes article or on The Cheating Cultureweb site. Jayson Blair worked for The New York Times. He is also listed on The Cheating Cultureweb site. Here is an additional article on Jayson Blair. I'd also like you to look at this article regarding journalistic integrity. Journalism.org has a very thorough examination of media. Take a look at points that interest you from their report "The State of the News Media," which is linked from their home page. If you find any interesting articles during your exploration of the web, please post them in the comments section of the blog or email me and I'll post for you. Enjoy.

One more post. KPFA radio is broadcasting a series this week during their morning show on Consumerism. Here’s the web site for more info: KPFA

We have begun our unit on media. Thanks to all the presenters who kicked off the unit yesterday. In this unit, we will be examining news media specifically. We will be asking ourselves: where do we get our information? what are we being told? do the news organizations (corporations) have biases or agendas that may skew the information they present?
I’d like to thank Claire (from the Tuesday night class) for bringing in the following article, which not only examines an issue about Bush during the debates, but also looks at how the media chose to handle it. Read the article at FAIR. When you read this article, jot down questions/comments that come to mind. In addition, think about the source and if it affects your impressions of the article. This incident (Bush’s alleged wire wearing during the debate) triggered response in the blogging world. I urge you to read the various blogs that examine the issue. Also, think about blogging and its role in the media.

Your final project will consist of two parts. The first element is your creative piece. If you are unsure if your creative piece is suitable, email or meet with me as soon as possible. The creative piece can incorporate work from others (friends and family) but the majority of work must be your own.
The second element is the accompanying essay (3-5 pages, typed, double-spaced). The essay essentially explains your piece and the decisions you made when creating it. If you are unsure what to include in your essay, ask yourself the following questions.

- Why did I select this project?
- How did it feel to create this project?
- What influenced my decisions when creating the project?
- Who is the intended audience for my piece?
- How will the audience react?
- If someone objects to the validity of my piece, how would I respond?

We will conduct a draft workshop on May 17th. You may bring your essay, your creative piece or both to receive feedback from your classmates.

The final project is due May 24. There will be no extensions granted for this project and you may NOT email your project. You must submit it in person before or on the due date.
Night class: Keep in mind, I will be leaving the classroom at 7:30 pm.

Both of these article are from the SF Chronicle:

Marin Cemetary

Cat Cloning

What are your opinions on death? Have your beliefs been influenced by your parents, religion, heritage, society? How have your opinions of death changed, if at all, by this class (readings, class discussions, etc.)?
Day Class: Due 4/28
Night Class: Due 5/3

Sorry folks. No office hours today. I'll be available on Thursday by appointment and via email.

You will write an annotated bib on Purified by Fire or an article you've selected for you third essay. The section from Purified by Fire is missing pages 8 and 9, which I passed out Tuesday. If you missed class and don't have the pages, I'll leave some outside my office (314) this afternoon. Or, you can write on an article you are using for the essay (which will be useful as you move forward with your paper).