6/12 Introductions and course overview 

Read: The National Review debate: "Are the Media Liberal?"

Write: Nothing specific; you'll write a response to the ideas in this debate in class tomorrow.

6/13 In-Class Preliminary Writing

Read: Robert McChesney's "The Global Media Giants" (just until you get to the corporate profiles); Mark Crispin Miller's "What's Wrong with this Picture?"; and take a look at The Nation's Big Ten media chart.

Write: a comment in response to the questions posted on the blog.

6/14 Introduction to essay #1: What kind of cultural consumers are we?

Read: Professor T.V. Reed's guide to Production Analysis and Jane Rosenzweig's "Can TV Improve Us?"

Also: Identify one piece of media (a website, newspaper, magazine, tv show, movie, song/CD) that you think says something about who you are. Either bring it in (if it's a physical piece) or email me by 8 pm if it's web/video media.

6/15 Prewriting and brainstorming: coming up with a research plan

Homework: Everyone except Lauren and Nick, bring a media example that we can discuss (see yesterday's instructions).

Also, start working on a list of media that you consume.
We'll do some brainstorming with this list in class tomorrow.

6/16 Drafting, brainstorming and discussion

Homework: DRAFT, DRAFT, DRAFT. On Monday, have your draft available in Word to work on at your computer station.

6/19 Draft 1 due: working towards a review-able draft

Read: Salon's "Radio's Big Bully"

6/20 Continuing our discussion; looking at our drafts

Read: The New York Times' "The Trouble with Corporate Radio," and Time magazine's "In the Line of Fire."

6/21 How music shapes  our culture; essay exchange

Homework: Review your groups' essays using this guide

6/22 Peer groups meet to discuss; editing round of revision

Homework: Revise! And, if you'd like your essay edited, you should exchange drafts by email.

6/23 Revision and editing day: NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING

 Essays are due in my inbox by 8 pm tonight.

For Monday: Read "All of Your Insecurities Wrapped up in a 30-second Spot" and "Ads We Could Probably Do Without"

6/26 Introduction to Essay 2: Talking about Advertising

Homework: Find at least two ads, print or video, to bring to class AND respond to the advertising prompt on the blog.

6/27 Analysis: What Can Images "Say" to Us?

Read: Kelly's example essay; using the guidelines on your assignment sheet, make a couple of suggestions about places she could improve (use the comments feature in Word)

6/28 Using images in your essays: a brief tutorial. Example: counter-ad to Jessica Simpson and Lycra

Read: Dangerously in Love and A Declaration of Independence, 2 more student examples. Again, make suggestions with comments, but this time, email them to me by class time tomorrow.

Also: Bring the ad you plan to analyze.

6/29 Brainstorming and drafting in class: by today, you should have decided on the ad you'll be analyzing; bring it with you and the information about where it appears.

Homework: Draft! We'll assign peer review groups and draft due times tomorrow.

6/30 Image creation: in class workshop

Homework: Exchange drafts with your partner and review his/her essay using this guide. Return the essay by email with your comments to the writer; copy me on the email. Reviewed drafts are due NO LATER than 8:30 am Wed.

7/3 Out of class Peer Review: NO REGULAR CLASS MEETING

7/4 HOLIDAY

Happy Independence Day!

7/5 Organization and revision workshop: bring your most recent draft

7/6 Image workshop

Homework: Revise image and essay. Have access to them in their finished forms when you come to class tomorrow.

7/7 Final draft of essay 2 due; Introduction to research project

Homework: Read through the Library's guide to research. Start thinking about possible research topics.

7/10 Topic brainstorm: start with a question

Homework: Read "The Long Tail." Post a comment to the blog in response to the prompt.

Bring to class: 3 possible research questions

7/11 Narrowing down your topic: focusing your question

Homework: Decide on a research question and post it to the blog. Find at least one source that deals with your topic. Have access to it in class.

7/12 What to do with the information you find: taking notes, summarizing, paraphrasing, quoting, avoiding plagiarism.

Read: Purdue's handout on quotation, summary, and paraphrase, and their guide to paraphrasing. Bring a couple of sources you can work with to class tomorrow.

7/13 Documentation 101 and how to write a research report: bring sources!

Homework: Work on your research report; bring whatever you have to class tomorrow (at least 2 entries)

7/14 Research report peer revision: have access to at least 2 complete entries in class

Homework: Prepare your presentation and finish research report. Research reports due BEFORE classtime Tuesday.

7/17 Presentation preparation day: no regular class meeting

7/18 Presentations: Scott, Allyson, Lauren, Alex

Homework: Draft!

7/19 Presentations: Tiffany, T.J., Jennifer

Homework: Draft!

7/20 Presentations: Nick, Corey, Cauretta

Homework: Draft!

7/21 Presentations: Christina, Donald, Lilli

Homework: Read the two example essays (High Stakes Testing and Evolution and Intelligent Design) and make sure you've carefully read the assignment sheet.

7/24 Looking at examples; establishing peer groups; working towards finished drafts

Read this guide to quoting (you're responsible for quoting correctly in your essay!)

For class tomorrow: have access to a draft finished enough to email to your peer group (with citations)

7/25 Draft Due: How to Respond to Your Peers; How to Integrate Sources

Homework: Read and comment on your groups' essays using this guide

7/26 Group Workshops

8:40: Nick, Tiffany, T.J.

9:10: Allyson, Lauren, Donald

7/27 Group Workshops

8:40: Jennifer, Christina, Scott, Lilli

7/28 Group Workshops

8:40: Corey, Alex, Cauretta

7/31 Final class meeting: have access to your finished draft and works cited page when you come to class