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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal structure for the journal?
Perhaps one effective way to proceed is to respond to questions on the websites for each part. You may also respond to the following:
What did you learn from the sites & the reading material? Why? Where?
Discuss the underlying concepts. How did they make you think? Mention specific examples.
How does the subject matter interest you? Cite specific examples.
How does the subject matter relate to your life? Can you think of instances in which it relates to other people's lives?
Wow! This is a lot of reading! Do I have to read every word of every text?
You do have to go to every resource listed on the site, and you should be able to reasonably and intelligently discuss what the sites are about. You should at least skim all the reading. Does this mean memorizing every word? No. However, it does assume a certain level of comprehension!
My video store did not have the videos I wanted to watch! Where are they? Will I be penalized if I have not watched every movie that the course lists??
Don't worry! The films are suggestions -- they are highly recommended viewing. However, if you are not able to watch each film, do not worry. You may even substitute a different film -- please try to watch at minimum of 4 films for this course, and include an analysis of each one in your journal.
I'm worried about the online research project!! How should I describe the websites I find? What do I need to do to describe them?
We're glad you asked!! It's very simple, really -- just include the following:
Name & website address (URL)of the site -- the website must have something to do with Love & Madness
What entity or author created or sponsored the site?
Is this an academic site?
Can you trust the information? Is it highly biased, or does it seem prudent & well-considered?
Is this an "info-mercial" -- is it selling a product?
Is this site expressing an individual's personal viewpoint?
Is it a reliable, academic source that seems to have taken into consideration other people's ideas?
Did you enjoy this site? What did it make you see in a new way? Would you recommend it to others?
Now, from a design standpoint (presentation vs content!!) -- what did you think of this website? Did you like it? Could you have done a better job? What would you have changed?
Can I write anything I want in my journals? What do you want?
Your journals should demonstrate that you're reading the websites, watching films, and actually learning something. You should make connections between the readings and the questions on the websites and/or the "online lectures." You should let yourself go in the journals -- explore new ideas! Let yourself be free -- use this as an opportunity to really think -- to let yourself see life in a new way.
How will you grade the journals?
The journals are graded by the following criteria:
-- number of pages / words (you must satisfy the minimum)
relevance to the topic at hand -- did you demonstrate that you've been thinking about the reading and making connections between readings & questions?
Willingness to explore new ideas
How will you grade the final project?
I will look at the following
Your proposed topic
Your references (you should have at least 25, which can be web-based or traditional)
Then I will approve the topic, and you may proceed. Your final project will be graded on:
Relevance to the class topic
Originality of thinking
Your willingness to take intellectual risks
Effectiveness of presentation
Number of words (must satisfy the minimum)
Meaningfulness to one's life (this is why I prefer to see creative final projects -- short stories, plays, creative non-fiction essays, brazen ramblings) -- please write something that is meaningful to you! If you do that, chances are, it will be meaningful to the reader, as well!
Please note -- you will always have the opportunity to rewrite your final project. I will review the proposed topics and the drafts, and I will guide you until you achieve the result that you desire. I will not shirk as a virtual mentor !! :-) I am here to help you succeed.
Sincerely,
yr instructor
(dr. susan nash)
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