Assignment for Feb. 7

Class,

I enjoyed our discussion yesterday! Transcendentalism and "Civil Disobedience" is a relevant conversation in today's climate, but I think you will begin to see this conversation has been ongoing throughout much of America's history. Thoreau brought up some very good points about individuality and following one's conscience, even if the majority disagrees. Your letters to the Senator verify this. We each have a political issue we would like handled differently and the first step is to begin a conversation. While we may not always agree, and I'll guarantee we won't, our "civil disobedience" is  grounded in the desire to remain "civil." So let's keep this in mind as we progress through the course.

This week our civility might be tested, but I have high hopes that you will all approach this assignment as scholars and keep the heated debates limited to your writings and discussion with your family. We may not all agree, and while I certainly love to debate, I believe we should debate as scholars. This means we remain kind and respectful, that our information is presented with textual evidence, and that we participate in listening as much as we do in speaking. This model is often not followed in the media, but I'd argue that they are not a scholarly resource and therefore not our model. However, I do think we can learn more about the power of rhetoric by reading about the same topic through different sources.

For our study on current events and its very timely discussion on civil disobedience with numerous protests, I'd like you to look at the topic of the "Muslim ban." We want to evaluate different sources because each side tells a different story. I think this will be a helpful skill to learn for most information we are presented with. First, look up an article on BBC. Let's see what a global perspective looks like by reading this issue through another country's perspective. Second, look at FOX News, which tends to have a conservative viewpoint. For the third, you can pick any source, from someone's blog to a small online newsletter, local news report, or a military or legal news source. There are literally thousands of choices here. What you want to do is look at the rhetoric used in the reporting. Which terms are they using? Why do you think that is? For example, some discussions on illegal immigrants might use the term "undocumented workers" while others might say "aliens." Do these words conjure a different meaning? Also, what kind of image is accompanying your story? Remember our pit bull example! Images are also very powerful rhetorical devices! You do not need to agree with your articles. You are only evaluating them as scholars. Try to separate yourself from their emotional appeals and look for facts. Remember our logos, pathos, and ethos discussions from last semester? What is a logical argument? What is an emotional appeal? Are their facts credible or based on some kind of emotion, like fear or pity? Which article do you think is most effective? Effective does not have to be the most truthful. This is where discernment will come to play. Effective can be the popcorn ad before the movie plays at the theater that gives me a craving for buttery salted goodness. Discernment is recognizing that I neither need 1800 more calories nor would my paying 8 dollars for popcorn be a wise financial choice.

You will write a 2-3 sentence summary on each article. What is their main argument? What is their tone? Do you see their bias? Read these thoroughly because we will likely have our in-class writing assignment on this topic. Have some ideas you'd like to discuss.

Your only other assignment this week is to read the first four chapters of The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963 and review the vocabulary words.

One more quick thing: Have your final research paper topic selected by next week. We will be discussing them in class!