The N Word

Hello Class:

In the essay, "The N Word" by Jabari Asim, suggests that "the new mass media, while helping to perpetuate damaging images of African Americans, have often been used to counter the most virulent stereotypes" (226).

What does Asim mean by this?  How does he support this idea?    What areas can you think of where African Americans are portrayed in a negative perspective ? How does Obama, Winfrey,and others counter this image?    What is Asim's viewpoint on this?









Image is taken from: http://blogs.golf.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/17/tigermj_300.jpg

Margaret Cho: "I Got This Part"

Hello Class,

In this blog, you will first have to read Margaret Cho's essay on 224-225.  After reading the excerpt, please answer the following questions.

In this essay, what is Cho rebelling against?  What is Cho saying about the way Asian women are portrayed in Hollywood or the media?   By rejecting these images, what is Cho saying about her own identity?

Ms. Wanzo

Film Gazer

 

Hello Class,

In this post, you will respond to Bill Swanson's essay, "How Films Feed the Mind,"   the author suggests that "comfort zone movies are essentially children's movies in which human beings behave like cartoon characters," (204).  Do you agree with this evaluation?  Why or Why not?  Take a look at the films that Swanson has listed or think of more recent films that may or may not support your opinion.   

In the second part of the post, what values does Swanson say are shown to be the greatest sources of human fulfillment?  Do you agree or disagree with his opinion?  Are his values reflective of American culture?  Would you add or subtract values from his list?  How do you evaluate films?

Please don't forget to respond to your peers.

Million Dollar Brutality

All this week, we've been considering Chapter 7:  "Evaluations: What's Judged?"

This blog is based on what we've read and covered so far in this chapter.  First, read "Million Dollar Brutality," located in Chapter 7.

Then answer the questions as found on page 194:

1). What evaluations does the author offer in her title and subtitle?
2.) What three facts does she offer to support her evaluation of boxing as a brutal and violent sport?
3). What contradiction evaluations does she describe in the last two paragraphs this review?

4). What other kinds of professions provide expert evaluations or "trained, skilled" evaluations?  Provide an example.

Lastly, do not forget to respond to one of your peers.

Essay 2

Hello Class:


This week you all will be drafting your second essay.  In this case, we will not have blogs this week.  Instead you all will draft your essay.  If you have any questions on expectations, please post them here.

Remember your rough draft is due on Thursday, please bring three copies to class.














Image found at:  http://www.emich.edu/english/gsp/writing.gif

In the SuperMarket

 Hello Class:

"An assumption is something we take for granted, something we accept prematurely as being true, something we do not check out carefully. . . . Hidden assumptions are unconscious assumptions that greatly influence a line of reasoning. One form of hidden assumpions is stereotypes, where we try to fit new experiences into old or prejudiced categories. . . . value assumptions [are] basic unexamined beliefs that unconsciously influence our thinking." (Mayfield 155).

Please read "In the Supermarket" by John Bul dau in Chapter 5 164-166.

In comparing American food to African food, what types of assumptions does Bul dau make about American food?   Is he making hidden assumptions or value assumptions?  Provide textual proof to support your claim.   How did Dau's experiences with food trigger your own assumptions about food different from your own culture?  What kinds of cultural assumptions are being made in the images above about food?





Image taken from: http://www.diversityworld.com/Images%20-%20store/09MC-CALENDAR/2009multical_pics.jpg

What Could You Live Without?

Hello Class,

Please read the op-ed written by NY Times columnist Nick Kristoff.  As you read it, consider what you could live without.  Would you be able to make the kind of sacrifice that Salwens make?    Think of something that you did not have 4 or 5 years ago that today you feel you absolutely cannot live with out.  Could you make the sacrifice?  Why or why not?

Don't forget to respond to one of your peers.

Image borrowed from: MayopieWordpress.com.

Ms. Wanzo

The Adventure of the Speckled Band--Sherlock Holmes

From Chapter 4:"Inferences, What Follows?" Read Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure of the Speckled Band,"  the Arthur Cannon Doyle text. 

Answer the following:

• How does Holmes draw inferences from evidence?
• How does he draw inferences from facts?
• How, if at all, does he make false inferences?

Each of these questions, is related to sections in Chapter 4.  Students are expected to make connections between Mayfield's text and the Doyle short story. 

Thanks,

Ms. Wanzo

Blog Break--Writing Questions Forum

Hello Class,

We are going to take a break from the blog this week so you all can spend time writing your first essay. This forum can be  used, however, for a discussion forum on your essay.  If you have any questions for me between now and the rough draft, please post them here.  

• If you get stuck try freewriting, this 10-15 minute writing exercise will help you break up some of the writer's block.  
• If you need assistance with grammar and punctuation rules, please refer to to the reference section in your Keys for Writers. Author Anne Raimes includes an entire section towards grammar and punctuation.  Plesae read the color-coded tabs for information regarding this section. 
• If you quote an outside source, which was not a requirement for this essay, please make sure that you create a Works Cited page.  In English classes,  we observe the MLA format. If you are not sure what that looks like, please reference your Keys text.
• Finally, if, while your writing, you feel like you want to scream.  Get up and take a break.  Sometimes walking a way for a little while reinvigorates you. 

We will resume the regular blog schedule next week.

Thank you,

Ms. Wanzo

Denotation and Connotation

Hi Class:

This week we are continuing to read Chapter 2 and making connections between the text and our every day lives.

Two key definitions that Mayfield introduces us to are "Denotation and Connotation." 

Denotation refers to the literal meaning of the word and connotation refers to the suggestion of a word.  It's easy to understand denotation as you are understanding the word based on it's standard definition--one that has be accepted as a societal truth (it's in the dictionary). 

The connotation of a word is a little more challenging because it's subjective.  By that I mean, it's based on the emotional response or association one makes to a word.  For example, a sexual innuendo is usually a suggestion with sexual or physical implications, but it's based on how well the receiver of the message understands the meaning.   Think about it, if you don't understand the meaning of a word, can you really understand what's being asked of you?

In your text, on pages 56, Mayfield provides an example using the word snake examining it's negative connotations. 

What kinds of words can you think of where the denotation and connotation are very different?  In this post provide examples of all the words that you can think of.  If you can't think of any on your own.  Do a little research.  What does the Internet suggest?  Try dictionary.com or "Google" it.




What types of words can you think of where connotation and denotation are interchanged?

Malcolm X Saveed

TRead Malcolm X's "Saved," which is located on pages 72-74.

"An Accurate use of words improves our thinking.  Words give form to our thoughts so that we can make use of them.  Words enable us to communicate with others and ourselves.  Know the words for things and experiences helps us see and percieve more" (63).~ Marlys Mayfield  Thinking for Yourself


What does Mayfield mean in the quote above?  What connections can be drawn from the quote to "Saved?"  How did you discover the importance of expanding your vocabulary?

Don't forget to respond to your peers.

Spanish Harlem at Night

 

Hello Class:

First read Ernesto Quiononez's "Spanish Harlem at Night," an excerpt located on  page 45.   After reading the excerpt, answer the following questions:

How do the detail's in Quiononez's excerpt, capture your sensory organs (touch, see, smell, taste, hear)?    Which of your senses are you able to you use in this brief excerpt?    What role does detailed information play in critical thinking through writing, reading and observation?

This post should be answered before class on Thursday.

Don't forget to answer your peers.

Ms. Wanzo

Observation, It's in the Mind's Eye.

Hello Class:

It is more convenient to assume that reality is similar to our preconceived ideas than to freshly observe what we have before our eyes. Robert Fritz

Click the title and read the short essay written by Stanley Scudder, "Take this Fish and Look at It."  It's also found on page 17 in your text.

What does this the Fritz quote mean? How does Stanley Scudder discover the truth in this quote?  Why does the professor encourage the student to continue to examine the fish?  What was so unacceptable about his first examination?  How does this connect to critical thinking?

This post should be answered by Tuesday.  Don't forget to respond to one of your peers.

What is there to Fear?

But if thought is to become the possession of many, not the privilege of the few, we must have done with fear. It is fear that holds men back — fear lest their cherished beliefs should prove delusions, fear lest the institutions by which they live should prove harmful, fear lest they themselves should prove less worthy of respect than they have supposed themselves to be.
                                                                                ~ Bertrand Russell (Principles of Social Reconstruction)

   What does this quote by noted philosopher, mathematician, and philanthropist  Bertrand Russell mean to you?    Do you agree or disagree with Russell?    In this response, answer those two questions, and discussion why it is important to do away with fear in Critical Thinking.

 Don't forget to respond to at least one of your peers.

Welcome!

Hello Class,

Welcome to English 5! This is your class blog: The Mind's Eye 3. In this forum we will discuss theory and application as it relates to Critical Thinking. We will examine not only the Mayfield text, but also every day issues that affect us and the world we live in.

In this first post, please introduce yourselves. Tell us who you are, your experiences with writing, and your hobbies. Also make sure you respond to at least one other person in the forum. Engaging in dialogue is only way a discussion forum is effective.

Thanks,

Ms. Wanzo