Welcome to Our Blog

Hi everyone. The goal of this blog is to create an interactive and communal space where we are actually reading each others' ideas and commenting back and forth. It will be a great resource for us to review material and get new ideas for our papers. It's private and read only by us, so feel free to explore.

I assume the basic format and mechanics of this are familiar enough. You can do two basic kinds of things: 1) comment on a post, and 2) make a new post. When you want to comment on what someone else has written, extend an existing idea, or ask a question about it, write a "comment." When you want to start a new topic of discussion, use "new post." Be sure to title your new post with something simple and clear, so we can easily see what the topic is -- and so we can go back and find old posts easily.

Discussion Leaders: When it is your turn to lead discussion, you should make a "new post." The goal of your post should be to start a conversation. Point us to a specific part of the text that seems important. Think critically. Ask us questions -- real questions, that you would really like others to try to help you answer. Build on things we talked about in class. Think about the three basic reading questions outlined on the syllabus (how does this theory compare to other theories? what is this theorist trying to do? how does this theory help you think about literature differently?). Be sure to use the author's name, title, and citations correctly. Your post should be a page or so in length. So we can see everyone's post more easily, insert a "jump break" about five lines into your post. (The "jump break" button is in the format bar just above where you are typing, beside the movie icon. Just click the button to insert.) As discussion leader, your post is due within 24 hours of class, either before or after. (I.e. If you are leading discussion for Wednesday's class, then you must post sometime between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon.)

Everyone: You should be reading the blog and commenting every week. You can make one or two big comments, or several smaller ones. I'd love for us to be commenting back and forth, and to actually be having a conversation online. As you comment, really read and respond to the ideas the discussion leaders are posting. Try to answer their questions. Clarify or build on their explanation of key ideas. Extend their thinking. If you have a different idea you want to explore and want to start a new topic, you are also always welcome to make a "new post." Your comments should average to a page or so per week

Remember, the Blog is worth 20% of your grade.