Every week, you'll have a weekly mix assigned: a combination of academic readings, popular readings, and sometimes video essays/multimedia. These are our core through-line in the class, and you need to have completed the weekly mix before class in order to participate in class discussions and online discussions. I've tried not to overwhelm with too many readings with the intent that you'll actually be able to read/watch them by class. A tip for how to approach these readings etc: try to pick out 3 key quotes that speak to you, 2 connections you make with the readings (personal connections, with other classes, with other things we've talked about etc.), and 1 question you have (either clarifying or expansive). If you do this for each piece, you can feel confident that you're sufficiently prepared for class. [I borrowed this 3-2-1 rule of thumb from the awesome Shawna Shapiro from our Writing & Rhetoric program.
Every week, we’ll have an asynchronous discussion on Flip or Teams where you will respond to and draw connections between the readings and screenings, and respond to one another. You can choose to respond via video on Flip or via text in the canvas discussion board. Either are fine and equivalent. I will post a few prompts to get you started, but you’re welcome to take the conversation in other directions. Once you have made your initial response (by Thursday each week), respond to at least two fellow classmate’s comment (by Sunday). Any extra responses beyond those first two count as extra credit! Feel free to embed images, video, links, etc. No need to be overly formal in these conversations. Have fun with it!
Early in the semester, you will write a short essay connecting one of the class readings we have done so far to a screening of your choice. You must draw in depth on at least one assigned reading and use it to analyze and shed new insight on at least one recent screening. You may wish to connect two essays or two screenings in order to shape your argument, but be careful not to spread yourself too thin within this short essay
Your essay should have a thesis and focus, and a title (as creative as you want!) that reflects this thesis and focus. These essays must be written in 12 point font, and must fit on one page only. Beyond that, you can play with the margins, font, and structure to squeeze in as much as you want to. Go deep in your analysis, ask probing questions, and explore connections--be they expected or unexpected--between readings and screenings.
Bring a hard copy of this essay to class, traditional style!
In the first weeks of class, I will split you into groups for group-led in-class conversations based on your interest in the topics covered in the syllabus. Look over the weekly mix & screening for the various weeks to get a sense of what we’ll be covering each week.
These topics, which correspond with weeks in the syllabus, will include: