End of bill of rights?

Bill Summary & Status, 112th Congress (2011 -- 2012) | S.1867 | Latest Title: National Defense Authorization Act for.

This bill, passed late last night in a 93-7 vote, declares the entire USA to be a "battleground" upon which U.S. military forces can operate with impunity, overriding Posse Comitatus and granting the military the unchecked power to arrest, detain, interrogate and even assassinate U.S. citizens with impunity.

hw #8 (12/7) & Reminder

Please complete the following prompt for class this Wednesday. Also, make note of the schedule for the last few meetings periods, especially including the date of the final exam on 12/19.

M 12/5:
Paper #3 Final Copy Due
Peer-edit of Practice Exam #1
e-journal #8: What are three things that you have found are most important when taking a timed, handwritten essay exam?

W 12/7:
handout – Article #2a for Practice Exam #2
handout – Final Essay Exam Rubric
in-class e-journal #9: Identify some trends in your fellows writing and your own that reoccurred during the peer-edit. What are some areas which need improvement? How might these "problems" be solved in the future? How might they be prevented during the final exam?

M 12/12:
Practice Exam #2

W 12/14:
Peer edit of Practice Exam #2


FINALS WEEK

M 12/19 -- 8:00am -- AC/1E02

Updates, and Westlake and Braden

Hello everyone,

I have made a few changes to the schedule for the next two weeks, as detailed below and on the Schedule page linked above. I have only gotten through half of the Essay #2 RDs. I will be handing them back on Wednesday morning; therefore, I pushed the Final Draft back until the 16th. Notice that the optional revision is due this Wednesday. Please include all previous drafts should you choose to revise!

The Westlake article can be obtained here, while the Braden is here.

M 11/7:
Avoiding Plagiarism
In-class: BH, p.482-487
Hempel with Lehman, “The Myspace Generation”
HW ~ BH, p.438f, 442-458, 462-475

W 11/9:
Revision of Essay #1 Due (Optional)
Conducting Research & Evaluating Sources
handout – Proper Citation in a Works Cited Page and Annotated Bibliography 
Essay #3 Rubric

M 11/14: 
handout – Westlake, "Friend Me If You Facebook: Generation Y and Performative Surveillance" (only pages 25-27, 30f... stop after the second-to-last paragraph on p.27)

W 11/16:Westlake, "Friend Me If You Facebook"
Essay #2 Final Copy Due
handout –  Braden, “Is the Internet the Harbinger of Orwell’s Nightmares?”
HW ~ BH, p.379-387, 392-400
e-journal #7: After reading Braden, consider any questions presented in the following prompt when responding: Many would argue that the Internet is merely another window through which the public may be spied upon by “big government” or by secret agencies. Do you feel that Braden and Westlake share a similar argument regarding this issue? According to these authors, and in your opinion, what are the weakest points (literally, sites) of the Internet? What are some potential results of the Internet’s ability to replicate and publish information? Do you feel that you participate in citizen-surveillance? Do you contribute to content on the web? If so, what kind? What aspect of the Internet are you most wary about? Use at least two, properly cited textual examples in your response.

Hempel with Lehman, and #6 (11/7)

Okay folks, here is the next reading for over the weekend by Jessie Hempel, co-written with her editorial assistant Paula Lehman.  Please download, print, read, annotate, and bring this article to class on Monday.

Also, be sure to complete the e-journal before we meet again. Here is the prompt:

Spend the weekend being a bit more aware about your social internet usage, via your computer, your phone, or otherwise. Describe in detail what you are typically doing when you visit one of these sites. How many hours a day do you spend on social sites? Are you a multi-tasker too? Do you feel that face-to-face interaction is at risk of becoming obsolete, or do you believe that social ties are becoming stronger via new, electronic mediums?

Rubric for Essay #2

Here is the updated Rubric for Essay #2. Please feel free to email me with questions regarding the assignment, especially if you need help with choosing a secondary source!

I have also updated a number of the On-Campus Links to allow easy access while off-campus. Additionally, I have included a link to the Library Virtual Private Network (or VPN), which affords you another means to access the library resources when researching articles, essays, and other texts. So be sure to click a few of these and try them out! You will find them helpful with the present essay assignment no doubt.

Have a good weekend all,
s.

#5 (10/26)

Please complete the following ejournal for class Wednesday.


Complete the BH reading, then take one of your paragraphs from e-journal #4 and revise accordingly. Then, as a second requirement, offer a draft thesis statement which you would consider using for your upcoming essay assignment. I will anonymously select some for review in class.

Winn Article & #4 (10/24)

Hi everyone,

I am very pleased with your responses and the discussion of Gore's text today in class. Hopefully we were able to illustrate how meaningful and insightful a text can be when it is written coherently and effectively.

Here is the next reading: Winn, "TV Addiction". Please download and print this text so that you can bring it to class on Monday.

Also, be sure to reply to the following e-journal prompt:

In a well-developed paragraph describe the negative effects that Winn sees in habitual TV watching. Does Gore agree with her sentiments? Do you? What are some ways in which these two authors’ arguments compare and/or contrast? Use at least one example from each of these two texts in your response.

Enjoy your weekend!
s.

Correction Key Handout

Hi everyone,

I have made available the correction key handout. This document provides a brief legend to the correction symbols I utilize when grading your written work.


Best,
s.

Gore Article

Hi Folks,

So here is the Gore reading. Please download and print this document, reading and annotating the text for our next class meeting on Wednesday.


Thanks!
s.

Schedule Posted... (#3 10/12) Gladwell

If you have not done so yet, be sure the check the recently added Class Schedule. Here you can view upcoming reading assignments and plan ahead for your written work. This schedule is tentative, so revisit it frequently for updates!

I am providing the next reading for Wednesday, by Malcolm Gladwell. It is the first chapter from his book titled The Tipping Point. No, it's not the Roots album; however, this text does offer interesting commentary and observation of contemporary culture and society. Print this document, annotate it, and bring it to our next class meeting so that we can examine it more closely as a group.

After reading Gladwell, respond to the following prompt: Describe, with sensory detail where possible, a fashion trend that you have noticed and participated in during the past three or four years. Where did it begin (if you know), or where did you first begin to notice it? Who were the people to first wear this style? Does this particular fashion help identify a particular group? If so, who or what? Do you identify with them or it? Is there a music genre attached to this group; a set of beliefs; ideals; behaviors or rituals? Devote two paragraphs to this e-journal response, citing at least one quotation from Gladwell’s text to support your conclusions.

Lastly, begin revising Essay #1 over the long weekend, using the comments left by your fellows during the peer-edit to assist you in your improvements. I will be handing your work back to you next Wednesday with my comments. Remember that the final draft is due Monday, October 17th!

Updated Syllabus + Link

I have posted the updated syllabus as a link under the Important Documents pane on the left-hand side. The majority of the changes that have been made are minor. Nevertheless, you will be held accountable for the contents of this syllabus and therefore it is your responsibility to examine this update and print a copy for your records, recycling the older version.

Essay #1 Rubric

You can now view, download, and print the Rubric for Essay #1. I have also included a helpful handout that offers some general tips and expectations of academic writing.

For the next class meeting, this upcoming Monday, please have read the following excerpt from the Bedford Handbook text: pages 118-129. This section, Section 6, deals with how one must evaluate another's argument for, as the text states, "logic and fairness" (Hacker 118). Be sure to read this section closely, looking for key terms and headings as you make your way through the text. Much like there are many Rhetorical Devices which help us formulate and structure our writing, there are numerous aspects of writing (especially expository and argumentative writing) that demand to be evaluated for rationality, accuracy, and so on. We will be doing Exercise 6-1 in class, so you may wish to look over this closely before we meet as well.

Enjoy your weekend. And good luck in writing your rough drafts!
s.

(#2 9/26) Rhetorical Strategy

For your convenience, I've included the reading from the Bedford Handbook as a link below. Please review this reading, Section 3c, before class Monday. You may wish to save the excerpt to your computer and then open it with Adobe Acrobat. Here is the link.

---

After going over the reading in the Bedford Handbook (p.67-75), complete the homework for 9/26 by answering the following prompt via a reply below.

Argue for or against the use of cell phones in two paragraphs, using a different pattern of organization or rhetorical device in each. Be sure of head each paragraph with a label that identifies which pattern or device you are employing to argue your point. Some paragraphs may contain more than one device, such as the sample provided below, but you still need to compose two separate paragraphs. While you do not have to refer to either of the articles we have read so far in this assignment, you may wish to try your hand at paraphrasing and quoting. Just be sure to properly cite any textual references according to MLA format!

(Example & Narration)
Cell phones are the most convenient invention ever and I’m sure many would agree. For example, they make parents less worried because their children can get in contact with them right away. I remember that when I first started high school I didn’t have a cell phone. My parents knew I got out of school at 3 pm, which I did, but this one day I was delayed because I had to buy a new MetroCard. After some time when by and my parents didn’t find me home they began to worry. My dad drove all over looking for me, but he couldn't find me. When I finally got home I called his cell to find out where he was and he was so happy to hear from me. Still, if I had a cell phone then I could have called my parents to let them know where I was, what I was doing, and why I was going to be late coming home.

Change in Office Hours

Hello All,

Please make note that my office hours have changed from Tue 6:00-6:50 to Thurs 3:00-3:50. I will still be "around" the English Department office(s) most Thursday mornings if you happen to be on campus and desire to find me for anything class related. 

Talk soon,
s.

(#1 9/19) Cellphones and... Spy Games

Over the weekend I would like all of you to print and read Lisa Guernsey's article titled "Taking the Offensive Against Cell Phones". Annotate this text as you are reading it. Attempt to locate her thesis statement and supporting points. Also, highlight or mark any passages that you deem to be important, significant, outlandish, interesting, etc.

Consider how Guernsey's article compares and contrasts to Christine Rosen's text "Our Cell Phones, Ourselves". Remember that a contrast seeks only differences, while a comparison seeks both similarities and differences. We will be performing this activity in our next class.

For your journal writing I would like you to do the following... and remember do not do anything overzealous! I want you to be detectives, yes, but responsible, courteous ones at that!

Thus, the prompt:

Observe people in a public space such as a shopping center, a subway station or platform, a park, or a busy street. Spend one-half to one-full hour taking notes on those individuals that use cellphones. Describe the users' appearance, gestures, tones of voice, volume of speaking, and anything else that seems interesting and important about their use of their phone.

I would like you to observe two (2) people during this activity, providing a paragraph-length description of each. Post your observations below by signing in and clicking "replies." And remember, have fun with this activity. 

Intro: How to Join and Contribute

As a member of our ENG 125 course it is your responsibility to join this e-journal blog and, crucially, to participate throughout the semester. You will do this in three ways: (a) by submitting your journal entries as comments to posts of at least 150 words, (b) by following the prompt's directions, and (c) by turning-in these assignments before the class period in which they are due.

Importantly, this site will also serve as a message board from me to you and you to me. I will most likely have to pass on important information regarding class meeting times, assignment deadlines, changes in the syllabus, etc. throughout the term. Therefore, be sure to check this site frequently, especially on days before and after we meet for class, to be sure you are current with the goings-on of the course.


Okay, so what's next?
Below I am going to detail how to join this blog and how to contribute. If you are unfamiliar with using blogs have no fear, Blogger is quite user-friendly and you should catch on quick. Remember, you can always email me with questions. What you should do is email me immediately if you are having trouble with the site, for journal entries may be submitted via email and handed in hard copy the day they are due if such internet hiccups arise.


How to Join
Via email you'll receive a link allowing you to gain authorial access to this blog. Follow the link and you'll have the opportunity to create a new Google username and password and officially join Blogger and the course e-journal. If you already use Gmail, you can use your existing account log-in information without having to create anything new. Please use your last name as your username!

From now on you'll use that username and password you select or create to log into this blog before you add a comment or a post. So write it down or email it to yourself so you do not forget this information!


How to Comment and Post
First, you must log in.

To comment to any post click on the post's title or on the ## replies link at the bottom of the post. You can also click on the post's title found under the archived posts on the right side of the site. At the bottom of the post you'll find an editable text box. Remember to write at least 150 words! You can offer something in response to the main post thread, or you can reply to a comment written by another student. If the debate gets intense enough then you, or I for that matter, may decide to move the discussion into a new thread (i.e., post) all its own.

To post a new topic or thread once logged in, go to the top of the site and at the right of your email address/username on the navbar you'll see a link titled "new post". This is your ticket. Once you've arrived at the post-editing screen you'll notice it's a bit more complicated than the comment box; yet, think of it like a word document screen and you'll catch on quickly.


More Editing and a Vital Disclaimer
If you happen to know html and/or java scripts you can use these to edit your posts to a greater degree---adding images, video, links, and more.

If a you should choose to add media to a post, keep in mind that inappropriate material and language will be subject to immediate removal. Depending on the level and degree of inappropriateness, the student faces disciplinary action such as receiving a zero on the assignment (minimum) or being reported to the Dean of Student Affairs (maximum). Please see the CUNY Computer User Responsibilities webpage for information concerning such disciplinary processes.


In Closing...
Be sure to bookmark this site on your personal computer so that you can check the blog frequently. As I recommended above, nearly once a day you should be visiting our e-journal. While you are required to only submit one writing per e-journal assignment, you may write as much at you wish on this blog. Contributing more with extra effort certainly weighs positively on your overall class participation!

Remember, the point of this blog is not only for me to impart important class announcement nor for you to just submit a weekly journal entry; rather, it serves as a birthplace for written ideas. The things discussed and argued here will undoubtedly come up in class, and should, so feel free to verbally reference the blog's content while we are in the classroom. Paper topics and sites of argumentation will also present themselves here. This is a vital component and goal of this site: for as we test and share ideas with one another, we further understanding of specific subject matter, thereby developing and deepening our ability to discuss the course's texts and topics to a greater degree.

I hope you join as soon as possible so that you can begin adding to your classroom e-community by contributing commentary and content to what is now our new ENG125 course blog!

Accessing Your York College Student Email

Visit this FAQ site for questions and answers regarding the initial activation and access to your York College Student Email account.

The direct link to your email appears on this blog's left sidebar under On-Campus Links for future convenience. 

How to Access Library Databases When Off-Campus

• To access York's licensed databases off-campus, you must be a currently enrolled student or a faculty/staff member with an active ID in the York library system. Check at the York Library circulation desk to make sure your ID is active. See CUNY's FAQ for more information about remote access to licensed resources.
• You then need to enter the 14-digit Library I.D. (barcode) number from the back of your York I.D. card.
• Users can also access all of the licensed resources after logging into York's VPN (Virtual Private Network): use these links to connect to the Faculty/Staff VPN or the Student VPN. Contact Academic Computing's helpdesk (ext. 5300) for more information about VPN.
• AOL users may need to launch Internet Explorer in order to access online databases.
• Several New York State Library databases now offer remote access using your New York State DMV Driver License or Non-Driver Photo ID Number.
• You can also access CUNY-wide E-journals and Reference Databases off campus by logging into the CUNY Portal. Logon to the Portal and click on: E-Journals and Reference Databases.
• See information on using Find It!

Still have problems/questions connecting to the library databases remotely? Send e-mail to: helplibrary@york.cuny.edu

Include your name, barcode number (i.e., Library I.D. #), name of the database you were trying to access, and the time of day you attempted access. Also include the error message, if any.  You can also try calling the CUNY Computing Center Help Desk at 212.541.0981 or 212.541.0982.
 
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