Your 200-word,You may choose to make any point that you wish related to the course material (readings, video lectures, other posts). Please do not hesitate to email me or visit Zoom office hours if I can help decide a topic or analytical angle for your post.
For RWS 305 discussions, take note of ideas that we read or see on videos and PowerPoints that interest you. Think in terms of rhetoric: argument, persuasion, relationship-building, human decision-making. Why do different messages appeal to different audiences? What ideas in the course content surprised you, and why? What ideas reminded you of other examples that might yield fresh insights into how humans communicate and behave? (Your major, future profession, and sociocultural background might provide those examples.) What ideas did you disagree with, and what other examples point to a different perspective on how humans communicate and behave?
Romare Bearden painting
The main purposes of these boards are 1) to provide new perspectives and insights into course material, just as a face-to-face discussion in class would and 2) to provide more practice writing analytically, especially in brief online settings.
Your post should begin with a sentence or possibly two of context, wherein you explain what concept from the readings, videos, and PowerPoints that you’re responding to. Other that those one or two sentences, you should not summarize the reading or video. Your post should offer your own analysis. If most of your post simply summarizes, do not expect higher than a C, even if it is well-written. If all of your post simply summarizes, not to expect higher than a D+. Remember, one of the main purposes here is to offer the type of discussion that we might have in a face-to-face class; in that setting, you would not be likely to raise your hand simply to summarize the reading for your classmates, who have also done the reading.
Romare Bearden painting
This is a good forum to “try out” ideas — please do not feel like you must be able to defend everything you say as if your life depended on it. Your post can have a merely tangential connection to the readings or lectures, but it should relate fairly clearly to rhetoric/human communication. Your post can have sort of a “I’m not totally sure if this idea really works, but it seems like . . .” kind of vibe. Obviously, trying out new ideas works best when were respectful of others, open-minded about adopting other perspectives, and generous with giving one another the benefit of the doubt when we disagree.
Try to use the detached, analytical perspective that I mentioned last week. If you find someone else’s post to be wrong-headed, instead of saying, “I’m offended by your comment that college students complain too much because I think you’re insulting college students who also have jobs,” try for something more like, “College students who have jobs might very well by offended by the claim that college students complain too much.” De-personalize the discussion. That will add to your post or comment’s depth anyway.
Romare Bearden painting
The main grading criteria will be the 1) originality and 2) depth of your post.
Originality consists of relating an idea or concept to an example that wasn’t part of the reading video, or from exploring a relatively minor example from reading or lecture in much greater detail. You can find originality in your other classes or in your personal life and observations.
Depth consists of relating an idea or concept to universal aspects of humans, human nature, human relationships, or human reactions.
Good Discussion Board posts often end up having one paragraph that offers an original example and then one paragraphs that explores the concept in depth. Think about how you’re organizing your ideas.
In general, think about using your Discussion Board work to add to the class’s understanding. Your original thread will be the main part of your Discussion Board grade, but 50-word responses that offer originality and/depth will increase your grade also. By Thursday, February 4, you should write at least two 50-word responses to your classmates’ threads or comments.
Romare Bearden painting
Grading Rubric:
A range: Analysis with well-developed originality and depth. Well-written and -organized.
B range: Analysis with well-developed originality or depth. Both originality and depth may be present, but only one is well-developed. Well-written and -organized.
C range: Analysis with originality or depth. Development is at an upperclassman level, but it does not rise above the average. Writing and organization may not be above average.
D range: S
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