UNIT I: YOU, THE CONSUMER
Week 1 (Jan 7-11)
Jan 7: 1st day of class
Jan 11: last day to add/drop)
Mon
Introduction and Syllabus
Wed
CLASS: Ze Frank; Chillout; Dreams Project, A Show: Make Believe
Fri
Watch: Ze Frank’s Web Playroom (2010)
Watch: Ze Frank’s Nerdcore Comedy (2004)
Week 2 (Jan 14-18)
Mon
Watch: Matt Ridley, “When Ideas Have Sex.” TEDGlobal (July 2010)
Bring a commodity that you enjoy
In class: Invention Mobs and Activities
Wed MEET IN AVERY 105 (Computer Lab on First Floor of Avery)
DUE: WordPress Blog URL [Tutorial] [Submit URL here]
BLOG: Define communication in the 21st century. What does it mean to “learn how to write”? #reflection [NOTE: “#reflection” indicates that you should TAG your blog post with the word “reflection.”]
[Unless otherwise indicated, all blog posts are due before class meets, and all posts must be at least 250 words in length.]
Fri
Watch: Daniel Pink, “On the Science of Motivation” (2009)
Watch: Simon Sinek, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” (2010)
BLOG: How do you identify yourself as a consumer? How might you need to change your consumer behavior, and why? #consumer
Week 3 (Jan 21-25)
Jan 21: MLK Jr Day
Mon
No Class
Wed
Watch: Derek Sivers, “How to Start a Movement” (2010)
Class: Cool Advertisements and Visual Rhetoric
Fri
Watch: Cameron Herold, “Let’s Raise Kids to Be Entrepreneurs”
BLOG: Perform a rhetorical analysis of an advertisement for a commodity you currently own. #consumer
CLASS: Guide to Rhetorical Analysis
Week 4 (Jan 28-Feb 1)
Mon
Watch: Rachel Botsman. “Collaborative Consumption.” TEDxSydney (31 May 2010).
Read: Rachel Botsman, “The Stranger Exchange,” Shareable.com (29 Nov. 2009)
BLOG: Design a new ad—with images, slogans, and text—based on your own experience of the commodity you chose for your rhetorical analysis (above). #consumer
Wed
Read: Lars Eighner, “Dumpster Diving”
Read: Rosenbloom, Stephanie. “But Will It Make You Happy?” New York Times (7 Aug. 2010)
Fri
BLOG: Look through your belongings. What are some items you could or couldn’t live without? Take photographs and tell your story. #consumer
DUE: Blog Progress Report #1 Due
Week 5 (Feb 4-8)
Mon
BLOG: Synthesize all of your #consumer blog posts. Make a statement about consumer culture today, based on your experiences, class discussions, and class materials. Compile a rough draft of 1000 words. For more details, view the assignment sheet.
Wed [No F2F]
In lieu of class, sign up for instructor-facilitated peer reviews. Sign-up sheet will be available in class.
Fri
BLOG: What did you learn during peer review? Make a specific list of goals to undertake in your revision of this draft based on peer review. #consumer
UNIT II: A BETTER TED TALK
Week 6 (Feb 11-15)
Mon
CLASS: TED Talk Brainstorming
Wed
Watch: Jane McGonigal, “Gaming Can Make a Better World” (2010)
Fri
Read: Bryce Henderson, “The Looks on Their Faces” with “Story Building: Lego Invention Mob”
Week 7 (Feb 18-22)
Feb 18: President’s Day, No class
Mon
No Class
Wed
BLOG: Complete TED Talk research preparation document: TED Talks (Blank).
See my example: TED Talks (Art & Business)
Fri [HYBRID]
BLOG: Browse and read this web resource from Purdue’s OWL on Conducting Research. Focus on the sections under Primary Research. Write a blog post that describes the kind of primary research that you would like to undertake for your TED Talk / Research Essay. #ted
Week 8 (Feb 25-Mar 1)
Feb 27: Mid-Term Grades due
Mon
BLOG: Draft a transcript for your oral presentation. Goal is 500 words (3 spoken minutes) #ted
CLASS: How to deliver an oral presentation.
Wed
Browse and read this web resource from Purdue’s OWL on Establishing Arguments.
Fri
BLOG: Visual Essay. Produce 3 original slides. Use photography, charts and diagrams, or a mixture of both to create a photo essay. #ted #visual
CLASS: Research tips
Week 9 (Mar 4-8)
Mon
Library Session: Meet in Terrell Library, Lower Online Classroom, Room #20E
Watch: Libraries’ Online Tour
Wed [HYBRID]
No face-to-face class meeting.
Compile 3-5 articles on your topic. Print out your articles, highlight key points, and write questions in the margins. If you missed the library session on Monday, meet with a librarian at the reference desk in Terrell Library.
Fri [HYBRID]
No face-to-face class meeting.
DUE: Produce an annotated bibliography of at least 3-5 sources on your topic. See assignment details here. Submit as a blog post. Due by 5pm. #ted
SPRING BREAK (Mar 11-17)
UNIT III: INVENTION MOBS, PORTFOLIO
Week 10 (Mar 18-22)
Mon
Form groups for Invention Mobs. Pro tip: select group members based on availability, in addition to shared interests. Brainstorm ideas.
Wed
DUE: Blog Progress Report #2 Due
Fri
DUE: Synthesize your research materials into an essay. Length: 2000 words. Post on your blog.
CLASS: Informal presentations on your invention mob
Week 11 (Mar 25-29)
Mon
DUE: At least 5 samples of contributions to your mob (these can be made by group members / friends).
PRESENT: A web presentation that identifies your mob’s purpose, mode of persuasion, and 5 samples of contributions. (Pro tip: create a new WordPress website for your group’s invention mob.)
Wed [HYBRID]
Use class period to produce invention mobs materials.
Fri
DUE (for a grade): At least 10 more samples of contributions to your mob (made by acquaintances, campus strangers).
PRESENT: A web presentation of any revisions made to your mob’s purpose, mode of persuasion, and 10 additional contributions. Draft a narrative of your mob’s process (success, failure, social interaction, mode of collection).
Week 12 (Apr 1-5)
Mon
DUE: At least 5 more samples of contributions to your mob (made by campus strangers).
PRESENT: A web presentation of any revisions made to your mob’s purpose, mode of persuasion, a total of at least 20 contributions, and process narrative. Draft the final creative artifact of your mob (a synthesis of all of the contributions.
Wed [HYBRID]
Use class period to complete production process.
Fri
DUE: Invention Mob “Creative Artifact” and “Narrative of the Process.”
PRESENT: A web presentation that tells the story of your artifact and shares the compiled creative artifact.
Week 13 (Apr 8-12)
Mon [HYBRID]
BLOG DUE: “Individual Rhetorical Analysis (SOGC)” (1500 words, submit as a new blog post)
Wed [HYBRID]
BLOG: Draft the cover letter to your portfolio (1000 words).
Cover Letter Prompt:
- Revisit the first blog post you wrote on your definition of communication in the 21st century. How has your understanding of communication changed over the course of the semester?
- Re-read your favorite blog posts / pages. Why are they your favorite? What makes them different from your least favorite posts?
- Define yourself as a writer, thinker, inventor. Who have you become this semester, and how did you get there?
Fri
Bring printouts of all 3 essays (Consumer Essay, Research Essay, and Invention Essay).
CLASS: Guide to Global Revisions
Week 14 (Apr 15-19)
Mon [HYBRID]
BLOG: Create an outline for your revision of the Research Essay or Invention Essay.
Wed MEET IN 105 AVERY COMPUTER LAB
CLASS: Set up portfolio on the blog.
Fri [HYBRID]
Attend your scheduled Peer Review session.
Week 15 (Apr 22-26)
Apr 26: Last day of class
MWF: Portfolio Revisions, Peer Review
FINAL PORTFOLIO DUE: APRIL 26