1. English 1A
Fall 2012
Lisa Mott
Remix:
Reflect, Inform, Persuade
2. Overview/Objective
Become a competent, confident thinker, reader
and writer at the college level.
There is no perfect time to write, there is only now. Barbara
Kingsolver
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything
new. Albert Einstein
3. Student Learning Outcomes
Write a comprehensive, well-developed and coherent
essay with a focused thesis and appropriate support.
Recognize and correct errors in grammar, punctuation,
and spelling.
Identify and analyze argumentative, stylistic, and
narrative techniques in non-fiction and fiction.
Obtain, summarize and synthesize research materials
including correct use of MLA citations.
4. Course Theme
Remix: Contemporary Culture & Identity
Remix: In art, multiple perspectives upon the same
theme.
Culture: The customary beliefs, social forms and
material traits of a certain group (racial, religious,
social); also, the characteristic features of everyday
existence.
Identity: the distinguishing character or personality
of an individual
5. REMIX?
Products
Movies
Music
http://vimeo.com/44839211 And
BIG IDEAS!!
6. Culture and Identity
Does contemporary culture shape our identity, or…
does modern culture merely reflect who we already are
within a given society? Some of both?
We want to be an individual, but trends and subcultures
are also important to most. We want the latest &
greatest, (when’s that iPhone 5 coming out?) but also
get nostalgic for the past, (a simpler time, when kids
played outside not online.)
7. Digital Nation:
Are we obsessed with social media, or are
we obsessed with ourselves?
www.psychologydegree.net/psychology-of-social-networking/
8. Reading and Writing are Connected
Reading and Writing are connected and
improve in unison.
Both help us to discover what we think,
know and believe about life.
Reading can challenge us, inspire us and
introduce us to new worlds.
9. "A man ought to read just as inclination leads
him; for what he reads as a task will do him little
good."
— Samuel Johnson
10. Yep! All kinds of reading
Even the type of books you read from start to
finish because you just can’t stop. Especially
those!
11. Writing: A way of exploring ideas
Writing is more than grammar and rules. In fact,
writing is a form of thinking.
Writing is a process. Expect yourself to end up
somewhere different from where you started.
12. Think for yourself. Take Risks.
Participate.
Join the Conversation.
I fear more harm from everybody thinking alike than from
some people thinking otherwise. Charles Bolte
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the
world. Albert Einstein
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who
mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
Dr. Seuss
Ready to change your life? Ask yourself two
questions: http://vimeo.com/8480171
13. A community of scholars.
Small and large group discussions
Writing Groups & Group Presentation
Online: Class Blogs
Facebook page
Work closely with each other, share ideas and, at
times, respectfully disagree.
I'm excited to be part of this process.
14. Be Prepared. Get Started.
REVIEW, Bookmark & Print Syllabus
BUY: Textbook, The Contemporary Reader 10th Ed. by Gary Goshgarian, need by
8/29
BRING: an image that represents some aspect of our culture for next class
(magazine pic, photo, album cover). Type 1 paragraph on why you picked it &
how it is culturally important or significant. Due 8/22
READ: “I Can’t Accept Not Trying” by Michael Jordan and DO Exer 2-1 re.
goals. Type answers in complete sentences, due 8/22.
WATCH: “Two Questions” video again: http://vimeo.com/8480171 and start
thinking about your sentence
DO: Student Survey and Course Agreement Letter (found on syllabus) due
8/29
RETURN: to class prepared and ready to learn
