Week 4: Life and Death in America

It's not that I'm afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens.

—Wood Allen, Without Feathers (1975)

Tu 9.14
Read: CR—CR—“His Sperm, My Choice” by Alicia Montgomery, “Margaret, and mystery” by Rick Bragg, “Delivering Lily” by Phillip Lopate, “The Love of My Life” by Cheryl Strayed, “On Being a Cripple” by Nancy Mairs; eR—“Business of Death” from This American Life (1997)
In-Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Comparative analysis essay; Watch—The Business of Being Born (2008)

Notes:

• The course readers will be available from Maple Press after 12 PM this Monday (Sept. 13).
• All This American Life episodes are located in the eReader (to the left of this column). Remember, these are audio files, not articles; choose "Stream Episode" to listen.

Th 9.16
Read: CR—“Findings and Impressions” by Stellar Kim, “His Wide Mouth Home” by J. Augustine Wetta, o.s.b., “Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain” by Jessica Miford
In-Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: Comparative analysis essay 


UPCOMING:

WEEK 5: COMING OF AGE IN AMERICA 

Tu 9.21
Read: CR—“Go Carolina” by David Sedaris, “Field Trips” by Stuart Dybek, “Masks” by Lucy Grealy
In-Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Th 9.23
Read: CR—“Auditorium” by Caroline Kettlewell, “Indian Education” by Sherman Alexie, “Refresh, Refresh” by Benjamin Percy; GUY—p. 1-43
In-Class: Essay discussion; Watch—“Binge Drinking Mom” from 30 Days (2005)
Due: Journal 3