Extra-credit Assignment

sub·cul·ture n. 1. A cultural subgroup differentiated by status, ethnic background, residence, religion, or other factors that functionally unify the group and act collectively on each member

For this optional extra-credit assignment, you will explore a culture not typically highlighted in the American mainstream. You must spend at least two hours emerged in a subculture, then write a full, two-page essay illustrating your experience inside that group. Research on your subculture is not required; however, the more you understand about your group, the better. I also encourage you to particpate in the activities of your subculture—so long as they are not dangerous or illegal.

Guidelines:

• You must embed yourself in a subculture not typically represented in the American mainstream (e.g. fantasy RGP, hot rod collectors, bird-watchers, coupon clubs)
• This should be a subculture with which you have little or no previous experience
• You must spend a minimum of two continuous hours embedded within this group
• Again, you cannot participate in activities that are either dangerous or illegal

Due: Email by Friday, Dec. 10th at midnight

To Guide Your Final Exam Preparation

In preparation for your final exam, I've written a sample essay to guide you in the Department's expectations. It is annotated to highlight specific techniques.

We will discuss this Jihad/McWorld prompt in class. Find the prompt here and the response essay here. Also, the final exam rubric is here.

Journal 7: In My Tribe

One of the big myths in our country is that Americans are all one and the same, that distinct characteristics, such as race and class, do not matter because we all strive to be like one another. In reality, we are separated by any number of distinctions, either intentionally or not. For example, the way we dress, how educated we are, how we eat, and the color of our skin, all impact who we identify with and how we are ourselves identified. Thus, we are as much a nation of rednecks, Muslims, hipsters, Tea Partiers, vegans, Twi-hards, and Native Americans, as we are anything else. Each of us has a group, maybe even more than one, that we most identify with. And we sometimes congregate into these groups almost as if they were tribes. What is your tribe? Who are the people you most associate with? Why do you feel comfortable What are the characteristics that bind your tribe? Describe who you consider to be "your" people.

Include at least one of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Tribalism Drove the 2010 Results" (The Hill)
• "Is Healthy Food a Status Symbol?" (Strollerderby)
• "Stuff White People Like: An Interview with Blogger and Humorist Christian Lander" (Culture Mob)
• "Atheist Advertising—or Evangelizing? The Holiday Ad Blitz Starts Early" (Politics Daily)
  

Due: Thursday, Dec. 2nd

Week 15: Pastimes in America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"What's Klingon for I'm going to die a virgin?"

 

—Dan Folger in Fanboys (2008)

 

Tu 11.30
Read: CR—“Erotica and Pornography” by Gloria Steinem, “Against Exercise” by Mark Grief, “Indelible Love: My Son's Tattoos and Me” by Lois Desocio, Prologue from Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger; eR—“Scenes from a Mall” from This American Life (2008)
In-Class: Watch—A Fistful of Quarters: The King of Kong (2007); Preview—Process essay

Th 12.2
Read: CR— Excerpt from Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life by Richard Ben Cramer, “On Anticipation” by Alain de Botton, “Why We Crave Horror Movies” by Stephen King
In-Class: Reading discussion; Final exam prep
Due: Journal 7

Sa 12.4
Final exam: BBC 220 @ 8 AM (Bring a large yellow book)

UPCOMING:

WEEK 16: PASTIMES IN AMERICA

Tu 12.7
Read: CR—“Food is Good” by Anthony Bourdain, “Satin Worship” by Holly Welker
In-Class: Process essay
Due: Journal 8

Th 12.9
In-Class: Course review
Due: Extra-credit essay

Week 14: Social Class in America

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.

—Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own (1929)

Tu 11.23
Read: ALL—p. 250-329; eR—“Scenes from a Recession” from This American Life (2009)
In-Class: Watch—People Like Us: Social Class in America (2001); Preview—Persuasive essay
Due: Journal 7

Th 11.25
No class—Thanksgiving 

UPCOMING:
 

WEEK 15: PASTIMES IN AMERICA 

Tu 11.30
Read: CR—“Erotica and Pornography” by Gloria Steinem, “Against Exercise” by Mark Grief, “Indelible Love: My Son's Tattoos and Me” by Lois Desocio, Prologue from Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger; eR—“Scenes from a Mall” from This American Life (2008)
In-Class: Watch—A Fistful of Quarters: The King of Kong (2007); Preview—Process essay

Th 12.2
Read: CR— Excerpt from Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life by Richard Ben Cramer, “On Anticipation” by Alain de Botton, “Why We Crave Horror Movies” by Stephen King
In-Class: Reading discussion; Final exam prep

Sa 12.4
Final exam: BBC 220 @ 8 AM (Bring a large yellow book)

Class Canceled AGAIN: Thursday, Nov. 18th.

I'm really sorry, but I'm still down for the count with this cold, so I'll have to cancel yet again. I truly hate to miss so much class, but we can still get done what needs to get done.

So...

1. Email me your final drafts by this Friday at midnight. I know ALL of you are done with the essay now, but just in case, this'll give you more time to work on them. ;) Also, I'll try something different and give you comments by email.

2. If you signed up for tomorrow for presentations, pick another date even if all the slots are taken. Sorry about this!

Email me with any other questions.

Have a good week. Stay healthy! See you on Tuesday.

Week 13: Social Class in America

People say that money is not the key to happiness,

but I always figured if you have enough money, you 

can have a key made.

—Joan Rivers

Tu 11.16
Class canceled

Th 11.18
Read: CR—“Bienvenidos a Newport Beach” by Firoozeh Dumas, “The Lesson” by Toni Cade Bambara, “Transients in Paradise” by Aimee Liu; ALL—p. 127-191; “For Richer” by Paul Krugman, “Growing Up Rich: How It Shapes Identity”; ALL—p. 192-249
In-class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Preview—Extra-credit essay
Due: Editorial essay (Final draft; Attach draft 1) 

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If, for whatever reason, you have not yet presented, pick a date and leave your name, topic, and section number in the comments section below. 

First come, first served. All names must be in by midnight on Wednesday the 17th.

Remaining Presentation Schedule


Th 11.18
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Tu 11.23
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Tu 11.30
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Th 12.2
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Th 12.9
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