URLS for Everyone

List of Blogs for English 4304, Spring 2008
Note: Some students have chosen to keep the blogs private for their group members only. Others are willing for everyone to see them. If you are denied access, that's why.

Dr. Lillian Bridwell-Bowles: http://writcult.blogspot.com

Leah Annison: http://leahannison.blogspot.com
Mandy Belanger: http://mandy-capstoneseminar.blogspot.com
Leah Cotton: http://leahcotten.blogspot.com
Amanda Davis: http://amandalynndavis.blogspot.com/
Lexi Debrock: http://lexideb.blogspot.com
Lacey Deshotel: http://ldesho2.blogspot.com
Jessica Goff: http://jgoff2.blogspot.com
Lillian Henny: http://lillianhenny4304.blogspot.com
Monica Judie: http://mdjudie1.blogspot.com
Travis Lamprecht: http://thenewyorktiger.blogspot.com
Ashley Mays: http://ashley-amaysing.blogspot.com (note: new address)
Patrick McDade: http://regurgitatedconfusion.blogspot.com
Shelley Napolitano: http://shelleyslavitabella.blogspot.com
Sean Ottosen: http://seanottosen.blogspot.com
Catherine Shelton: http://fightsenioritis.blogspot.com
Susannah Turner: http://susannahturner.blogspot.com
Jessica Goff: http://jgoff2.blogspot.com

First Week of Blogging

Well, so far in my reading of your blogs, I'm impressed. Those of you who have posted entries on the readings are taking the authors' and your own ideas seriously (except for Wii, This is Fun--but I liked that, too). Many insightful posts and comments. So far, not all group members are posting on others' posts, but I'll check back after the week ends. We'll see. For now, I find that I've enjoyed reading and responding to you, and I hope you have, too. This seems far more interesting than reading posts on Blackboard, which I've done for many courses in the past. It's fun to see some of "you" on your pages and to see the range of interests you are weaving into the conversations--visually and verbally. Dr. L

P.S. On typos on blogs: I'm not a great typist and I respond quickly. I tolerate a modest number of typos easily--in my own and others' informal writing. I did correct one entry because my typo made the sentence unreadable. Remember that this is "informal writing" made "somewhat public," so we'll find the right balance for ourselves. I do appreciate well-crafted prose even on blogs, and everywhere else for that matter, but only in polished projects do I get absolutely persnickety about proofreading. Forewarned.

ALT Readings

Must be a missing folder on BB. The "ALT" readings listed on the syllabus are on Rhetorical Criticism. I'll go in tomorrow and see what I can figure out and post. In the meantime, focus on what you already have for your blog posts. Dr. L

Blog Instructions and URL's

Blog Instructions for English 4304:

• Set up a blog.
• Define the audience (anyone, class members, or just your group + Dr. LBB). Remember, unless you limit access, anyone will be able to read and post to your blog. Decide if this is what you want.
• Post at least 3 responses to readings or ideas discussed in class each week.
• Comment on the posts of members of your group and Dr. LBB.
• No one can comment until you post. You will have to log in to Blogger to post (remember password).

Blogs URLs (SO FAR; please send me remaining URL’s asap):

Dr. Lillian Bridwell-Bowles: http://writcult.blogspot.com
Leah Annison: http://leahannison.blogspot.com
Mandy Belanger: http://mandy-capstoneseminar.blogspot.com
Lacey Deshotel: http://ldesho2.blogspot.com
Travis Lamprecht: http://thenewyorktiger.blogspot.com
Catherine Shelton: http://fightsenioritis.blogspot.com
Susannah Turner: http://susannahturner.blogspot.com
Shelley Napolitano: shelleyslavitabella.blogspot.com
Lexi Debrock: lexideb.blogspot.com
Ashley Mays (corrected): http://ashley-amaysing.blogspot.com

Zero was invited by the Mayans

On my latest trip to Central America, I was reminded that the Mayans invented the concept of zero. Incredibly important to the histories of mathematics and science, but much less so when it comes to comments on blogs. Please comment.

Good Start

Dear Seminarians,
I'm pleased with our start today. Post comments here when you have them.

Big Picture of Course

During the first half of the course, we'll be investigating various methods for rhetorical and cultural criticism. We'll also be reading Henry Jenkins' documentation and arguments about digital "convergence culture." Think of them as models for your consideration as you decide 2 things: 1) the rhetorical situation you will analyze, and 2) the method(s) you will use. We will explore many approaches, most of which Jenkins does not employ. This is important because you will not be able to use all of the methods and theories you have studied as an English major in the "Writing and Culture Track." Like Jenkins, you will have to limit the material you study and the method(s) you use.

During the second half of the course, we will move to an economic (as opposed to cultural) analysis of digital communication in Wikinomics. With any luck, you will have settled on a rhetorical situation to analyze and method(s) for doing so. At the end of the course, we will hear your polished, rehearsed presentations.

I invite comments here if you have immediate questions and concerns.