English 5, Spring '06

Friday, May 19, 2006

The End is Near

Remember, the final project is due Tuesday, May 23rd by 7:30pm. No late work will be accepted (nor will I be granting any extensions).
I'll accept projects three ways:
1. In person on Tuesday no later than 7:30pm (seriously, I'm out of there at 7:30, so if you show up at 7:31, you'll be screwed)
2. In my mailbox (Vista 3rd floor) with a time stamp from a staff member reflecting it was received prior to 7:30 pm Tuesday
3. Via email sent prior to 7:30 pm. This option is limited to students who created blogs for their final project. Please include your blog address in the email or in the defense paper.

Also, if you would like your final project returned, bring a self addressed stamped envelop. I'm also happy to email you final project and class grades after May 26th. Just send me an email and I'll respond with your final scores.

This class was a pleasure to teach and I appreciate all the time and effort you have invested in the course.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

News Media Annotated Bib

Using one of the following websites (or one you already are familiar with), write an annotated bib on a feature story. Look at not only what is being said, but also how it is said. Are their biases, agendas, omitted information? Make sure to be objective and think critically about the content. Again, you don't have to limit yourself to the sites listed below.
www.mediareasearch.org
Accuracy In Media
www.AlterNet.org
http://www.fair.org/index.php
Independent Media Center
MediaMatters.org
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.npr.org/
http://www.sfgate.com/

Due: 5/16

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Writing Portfolio

The portfolio/self-evaluation provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your progress over the course of the semester, and to showcase the work that best indicates your progress.

You will turn in a folder that includes:
One one-pager and one annotated bibliography that best represent your writing and analytical skills
All three essays with my original comments and grading sheet.
(Optional) A rewrite of any of the previous three essays for an improved grade. Keep in mind that the essay should be reexamined for content, not just technical errors.
A one to two-page, type-written self-evaluation (explained below)

Your self-evaluation will include:
· A rationale for why you chose to include these particular work samples.
· A reflection on the semester and evaluation of yourself as a student in this class. Here are some suggested questions to help guide you: What have you learned as a writer? What have you learned as a reader? What was your role in learning (active? passive?)? What are you proud of? What would you have done differently?

If you would like your portfolio returned, please provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage. I will not provide additional postage if you provide insufficient postage.

Due: 5/16

Media One-pager

Choose one of the following topics and write a one page response.

Watch three (or more) broadcasts of the evening news. You may catch broadcasts of the same news show on different nights or review samplings from several different news stations. Make a list of what stories are broadcasted and in what order they appear; jot down words, phrases or visuals that the broadcasters (or people interviewed) use to give the story an emotional spin. After your viewing, write an analysis on the kinds of Stories that appeared on the news. Think about what kinds of public fears are presented by the news media. What, if any, bias was apparent?

OR

Discuss a story that did not get enough media coverage. Why did this story go ignored? Who benefited from the story being underreported? How does it affect the public to be uninformed about the issues raised in the story?

Due: 5/9