Thank you for a great semester

I had a nice time and I hope you did, too.

Grades should be done and posted no later than Thursday afternoon. Email me if you have any questions.

Have a great summer. Please keep in touch.

-D

Celebrity News 05.07.13

• Kristen Stewart just voted the "Least Trusted" American movie star (HollywoodLife)
• Brooklyn playground renamed after late Beastie Boy, MCA (CBS News)
• Justin Bieber rushed by fan onstage in Dubai (USA Today)
• San Diego teens banned from prom over "twerking" video on YouTube (KGTV)
• What's changed in Hollywood after Sandy Hook? (Rolling Stone)
• The stars come out in force for the 2013 Met Ball (Vogue)

 

Week 16

Week 16

Mo 05.06

Grade update; Presentations

We 05. 08

Course review

Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS ESSAY

Reflection 11: Holding Nothing Back—The Celebrity Sex Tape Phenomenon

Note: Complete this reflection only if you were unable to finish Reflection 10.

In 2010, Montana Fishburne, daughter of famed actor Laurence Fishburne, took a decidedly nontraditional route to gain fame: a sex tape. Fishburne said she, "watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape ... I’m hoping the same magic will work for me. I’m impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it." Three years later, Montana Fishburne remains a virtual unknown save for her sex tape. And just this month, former Teen Mom reality star Farah Abraham, hoping to advance her career, inked a nearly $1 million deal for her own sex tape. Though it fizzled for her, was Montana Fishburne entirely wrong about sex tapes and fame? Can anyone legitimately argue that Kim Kardashian's road to celebrity did not begin with her sex tape? While the trend seems to be fading, what do sex tapes say about the nature of celebrity in 21st century America? Can they—or should they—be considered legitimate career moves or are they simply a shortcut to fame?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "'Teen Mom' Farrah Abraham’s Rocky Path to Sex-Tape Stardom. Also, Sex Tapes are Still a Thing?" (Daily Beast)
• "Tiger Woods and Other Celebrity Sex Tape Hits and Misses" (NPR News)
• "Even Celebs 'Do It' for Attention" (ABC News)
• "Expert: Stars Make Sex Tapes Because They're 'Narcissistic'" (US Weekly)
• "The Celebrity Sex Tape Craze: Is it Finally Dead" (TheWeek)
• "The Death of the Celebrity Sex Tape" (New York Magazine)

Requirements:

• Be in MLA Style
• Be two full pages in length
• No works cited page necessary for this reflection

Due: We 05.08

Celebrity News 05.01.13

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook

• Now that there is a gay pro male athlete, can we expect an openly gay movie star finally? (USA Today) 
• Horrific military plane crash caught on tape (CNN)
• Blogger calls NBA cheerleader "too chunky" (New York Daily News)
• Gwyneth Paltrow under fire for selling bikinis for little girls in her clothing line (Radar Online) 
• Tyler, the Creator's Mountain Dew commercial pulled over racist charges (MTV News)
• The curious case of "Cam Girls" and their super fans (Daily Beast)

Process Analysis Essay

For this assignment, you are being asked to write a process analysis of how your writing has changed during this course. The goal is to discover something about yourself as a writer and thinker. Along with the process analysis, you will need to embed relevant examples that highlight your process in writing an essay and evaluating, workshopping, editing, and revising that same essay. These examples must be included in the paragraphs in your essay, not attached as an appendix. Remember, the focus here is on the process and not the product. Consider your strengths and weaknesses as a writer when you began English 1A. Think about what you learned over the semester and what skills you will use in future coursework and beyond.

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• 4 pages minimum (1000 words minimum)
• Word count at end of document

Note: Your response must be in standard essay format, NOT numbered or Q&A format. You can address the topics in any order that helps you make your point.

Item 1 (Writing Habits), must be addressed; after that, address any other two areas of reflection:

AREA OF REFLECTION	QUESTIONS TO PROMPT YOUR THINKING
REQUIRED:
1. Writing Habits	You must reflect on your writing habits. Where do you do your best work? What tools are helpful when writing? What time of day or under what conditions (i.e. at home, in the library, at a cafe) do you write best? Analyze what you think these preferences say about you as a writer and a learner.
CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING:
2. Writing Strategies	Identify writing strategies and practices you’ve learned in this course that work well for you and that you will continue to use in your future writing. Illustrate with samples from your semester’s writing.
3. Feedback	What advice did you receive (from peer review, tutoring, workshop, instructor feedback) that was particularly helpful when revising your work? Illustrate using at least two examples from past assignments, including the comments. How can you apply that advice to future writing?
4. Revision	Analyze how you revised a specific paragraph. Include the paragraph in the paper. Describe the choices you made and why.

You are being graded on the following:

• Did you answer at three questions and include appropriate examples?
• Does your reflection demonstrate serious consideration of your writing process?
• Do the examples you include support your reflection?
• Is the overall presentation of the reflection clear and professional?
• Does your writing reflect college-level syntactic variety and diction and demonstrate your fluency with the competencies established in first-year composition (grammar, mechanics, usage, etc.)?

Also, look for the rubric on which your grade will be calculated in the Dropbox section of this website. The reflective analysis counts for 10% of your final grade.

Due Date: We 05.08—No late papers

BREAKING: The NBA's Jason Collins Becomes First Openly Gay Male Player in American Pro Sports

• "Why NBA Center Jason Collins is Coming Out Now" (Sports Illustrated)
• "Athletes Send Their Support to Jason Collins via Twitter" (Los Angles Times)
• "Jason Collins Supported by Gay-Tolerant NBA David Stern Worked to Create" (Sporting News)

Week 15

Week 15

Read: OWEN—p. 151-200

Mo 04.29

Reading discussion; Presentations

We 05.01

SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

Due: REFLECTION 10

Upcoming:

Week 16

Mo 05.06

Grade update; Presentations

We 05. 08

Course review

Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS ESSAY

Reflection 10: What's Hot on Telly?—Must-See TV from Around the World

We are all familiar with America's hottest TV shows. Often, other English-speaking countries are, too. In fact, American shows, ranging from Mad Men to How I Met Your Mother to The Walking Dead, have found huge audiences in those countries. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of their shows in the United States. But just what are the hottest shows for our cousins in the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? While some Canadian and British shows have achieved US success (e.g. Degrassi, Downton Abbey), most of the television from these countries is largely unknown to American viewers. For this reflection, watch, then write about three trendy international programs (one from the UK, one from Canada, and one from Australia/New Zealand). In your analysis, examine the differences and similarities between our countries, such as tone, language, subject matter, and humor. Finally, consider if the shows you watched have any potential for mainstream success in America. Could what is hot there, be hot here?

Look for an email with the show links in your inbox now.

Note: Broadcasting standards in these countries are often very different than those in the United States, so you may find more profanity, violence, even nudity, in these shows.

Requirements:

• Be in MLA Style
• Be two full pages in length
• No works cited page necessary for this reflection

Due: We 05.01

Week 14

Week 14

Read: OWEN—p. 101-150

Mo 04.22

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 08

We 04.24

Watch—Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Due: REFLECTION 09

Upcoming:

Week 15

Read: OWEN—p. 151-200

Mo 04.29

Reading discussion; Presentations

We 05.01

SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES

Due: REFLECTION 10

Week 16

Mo 05.06

Evaluations

Due: PROCESS ANALYSIS ESSAY

We 05. 08

Course review

Celebrity News 04.19.13 [Boston Edition]

• Should the Boston bombings be a cautionary tale for mass media? (Globe and Mail)
• How social media both helped (and hurt) the search for the suspects (Hollywood Reporter)
• The New York Post wrongly fingers two men as possible suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings (Smoking Gun)
• Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" offers Boston comfort in their time of need (Entertainment Weekly)
• Seth MacFarlane calls edited Family Guy clip predicting Boston Marathon attacks "abhorrent" (Yahoo! News)
• Bradley Cooper visits bombing victim in hospital (ABC News)

Reflection 09: Hey, That's Me!—Seeing Yourself in Popular Culture

To a young Whoopi Goldberg, the sight of an independent black woman on the bridge of the USS Enterprise was life-altering. Star Trek offered the future-superstar not only an opportunity to see her likeness on television, but a glimpse at a hopeful and prosperous future for her wary people. Meanwhile, Korean-Canadian and Grey's Anatomy cast member Sandra Oh laments that she never had the same opportunity as Goldberg: "I grew up never seeing myself on-screen, and it's really important to me to give people who look like me a chance to see themselves. I want to see myself as the hero of any story. I want to see myself save the world from the bomb." What is the significance of seeing people like yourself represented in pop culture? Have you ever seen you and your life reflected in film or television? If so, were you represented accurately? If you've never seen yourself represented, why do you believe that is? What would it take for entertainment to accurately represent who you are?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "Asexuality on 'House': You're Doing it Wrong" (Hollywood Jane)
• "Hispanics Deserve Proper Representation on TV and Films" (The Tennessean)
• "Disability Characters on TV: Who's Getting it and Who's Missing the Mark?" (Disaboom) 
• "Illustrated Comic Shows Why Claudia Kishi was THE 90′s Role Model for Asian American Girls" (Disgrasian)
• "Is Hollywood 'Whitewashing' Asian Roles? (CNN)
• "Thought Catalog: The First Time I Saw Myself on TV (Hulu)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be only one full page in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: We 04.24

Reflection 08: I Feel Pretty—Attractiveness in America

As Americans, we are all told that "beauty is only skin deep," and that "real beauty lies on the inside." We are told that, but the realities of our culture tell quite a different story. Beauty, as it turns out, is not only celebrated in America, but rewarded. Good looks can land a person preferential treatment at restaurants, on airplanes, even in court. It's as if beautiful people are allowed to live in a bubble. What do you feel are the benefits of being attractive in American society? Are good looking people treated more favorably than the general population? Finally, are there any downsides to being beautiful in America?

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

• "The Science of Magnetism" (Guardian)
• "Women's Standards of Attractiveness are as Unrealistic as Men's" (Business Insider)
  
• "Calling Miss Congeniality: Do Attractive People Have Attractive Traits and Values?" (ScienceDaily)
• "Good Looks Will Get You that Job, Promotion, and Raise" (Psychology Today)
• "10 Pleasures and Pains of Being Beautiful" (PsyBlog)
• "Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful" (Daily Beast)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be only one full page in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Mo 04.22

Week 13

Week 13

Read: OWEN—p. 1-100

Mo 04.15

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

We 04. 17

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 07

Upcoming:

Week 14

Read: OWEN—p. 101-150

Mo 04.22

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 08

We 04.24

Watch—Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)

Due: REFLECTION 09

Celebrity News 04.10.13 [UK Edition]

• "Dong Dong! The Witch is Dead" poised to hit number one on UK charts after Margaret Thatcher's death (Independent)
• Brawling on Twitter: One Direction and The Wanted (Mirror) 
• Also ... Teenage One Direction fan struck by car while waiting to glimpse the boy band (Mirror)
• Simon Cowell could care less if you think he's gay (Sun)
• Seven Sisters, a new British soap opera, unravels on Twitter, not TV (Telegraph)
• Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall's daughter hits the Sydney Fashion Week catwalk (Sun)

Descriptive Essay: Celebrity Inc. and Fame as a Commodity

Imagine, for a moment, that you are an up-and-coming actor or actress starring in this season's hot new show or new blockbuster film. Almost overnight, your recognition and future job prospects have skyrocketed. But, as you know, Hollywood is a notoriously fickle industry. What is hot today is routinely discarded tomorrow. Thus, it might be smart to think of ways to capitalize on your success beyond simply acting. But how? How do you approach your newfound fame as a commodity—how do you manage yourself as a brand? In a concise descriptive essay, describe the ways in which, according to Jo Piazza's Celebrity Inc., you might maintain, even expand, your new success. For example, what are some of the lucrative options open to you outside of acting? How might you capitalize on endorsements, charities, Twitter, even feuds? Finally, what, according to Piazza, are some of the potential pitfalls in building your new brand? Cite from Celebrity Inc. to support your thesis.

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

The best papers:

• Have a title that articulates the essay's point of view
• Stay within the parameters of the subject matter
• Have a concise thesis which clearly illustrates a plan for building on one's new success
• Are written in a first-person voice that is casual, yet informative
• Clearly support their thesis with evidence that vividly describes the steps to building one's  brand
• Conclude with a summation of the argument
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Are in compliance with MLA Style

Due: Mo 04.15

Reflection 07: Doors Swung Open—The Ethics of Outing

Outing is the act of disclosing a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person's sexual orientation or gender identity without his or her consent. In the days of old Hollywood, closeted stars had to contend with not only the rise of an unscrupulous tabloid press, but an American society overwhelmingly unsympathetic to homosexuals. In the 21st century, however, gays have gained unprecedented mainstream acceptance. Today, many performers, athletes, and politicians now often live openly as homosexuals. Still, not all of today's public figures are comfortable coming out of the closet. Those who chose not to openly disclose their sexual orientation, must rely on public charades, clandestine lifestyles, and the good graces of the gay community. Sometimes, their secrets are safe. Other times, they might find themselves publicly outed. Reasons to out a gay public figure vary, but it in every case an individual is robbed of the choice to reveal a very personal aspect of his or her life. Do you believe outing is acceptable? Is it a necessary evil or a loathable practice? For example, can a case be made to out an A-list celebrity or Washington politician if his or her outing would help the overall visibility of homosexuals in American society? Must some people's privacy be sacrificed for the greater good? Finally, what of closeted homophobes? Are they fair game—and who decides?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Have the ethics of outing changed?" (Gaelick)
• "Ex-NFL Player Kwame Harris Hopes Outing Helps Gay Athletes" (Sports Illustrated)
• "Why Anderson Cooper Thinks Other Famous People Should Not Be Forced to Come Out" (Radar)
• "Why I Outed a Christian Star" (Salon)
• "The Case for Outing Closeted Politicians" (Salon)
• "The Case Against Outing Gay Politicians" (Newsweek)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• Two full pages in length
• Works cited page

Due: We 04. 17

Week 12

Week 12
Read: INC—“9. #singingsolo – Taylor Hicks: Building a Career after American Idol” –“12. #beingdead – Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley: The Afterlife of Fame”

Mo 04.08

Reading discussion; Watch—“Daniel Radcliffe” from Extras (2006)

We 04.10

Reading discussion; Presentations

Upcoming:

Week 13

Read: OWEN—p. 1-100

Mo 04.15

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS

We 04. 17

Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTIONS 07 & 08