OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT

Monday, March 29, 2010

FOUR DEAD IN OHIO: The Kent State Massacre: May 4, 1970


ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Due Friday, April 2, 2010
@ 12:00 Midnight EDT

Read the intro, watch the video, watch the video of Neil Young singing "Ohio" and read the lyrics, and post your response.  Responses should be between 150-200 words. This activity is worth 25 “extra credit” points.
Here are your prompts:
ª How do you feel/what do you think about what happened at Kent State on May 4, 1970?
ª Why do you think college students today are not protesting the War in Iraq and the War in Afghanistan?

Get a Sense of the Times: College Students Protest the War in Vietnam:
On May 4, 1970, a student demonstration at Kent State, Ohio left four students dead, one paralyzed, and eight others wounded. This demonstration, meant to be one of many peaceful demonstrations against the war, was ended abruptly and violently when the National Guard fired into the crowd for 13 seconds. The brief shootings ended the lives of students Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer. The distances ranged from 270 feet to 390 feet. Some of these students were not even directly involved. Justified or not by self-defense, the "massacre" sparked a nationwide student strike that closed many colleges and universities.


Neil Young singing "Ohio" live (YouTube has blocked all the album versions):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv6kwG4BhC8&feature=related

Be sure to put your first name and the initial of your last name on the post, or it will be rejected and we won't be able to enjoy your comment!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

"The Man He Killed," by Thomas Hardy


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Due Tuesday, March 30, 2010
@ 12:00 midnight EDT

Read The Man He Killed, by Thomas Hardy (p. 122).
Here's a link to an online version of the poem:
http://www.love-poems.me.uk/hardy_the_man_he_killed.htm

Write a First Response to The Man He Killed.
Use the following writing prompts:
Which aspect of the work affected you most? Why? What is the significance of the poem?
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotes from the poem to justify and/or explain your response.  Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 2-3 quotes from the poem and discuss how it affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are available here:

If you have any questions, send me an e-mail at english102wcc@gmail.com, and allow up to 24 hours for a response (although I will most likely get back to you much sooner than that).

"The Things They Carried," by Tim O'Brien

Photos taken July 8, 2003 by Melinda Roberts
Vietnam Veterans/POWs/MIAs Memorial
Little Saigon, Westminster, Orange County, California

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Due Tuesday, March 30, 2010
@ 12:00 midnight EDT

Complete the “Post a Comment” Activity: What do YOU carry?:

Read The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien (pages 1172-1185 of our text).

Write a First Response to The Things They Carried.
Use the following writing prompts:
What was your first impression of First Lieutenant Jimmy Cross? of the other soldiers? of the things they carried? Did any of your impressions change? If so, why? how? Which aspect of the work affected you most? Why? What is the significance of the things they carried?
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotes from the story to justify and/or explain your response.  Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 3-5 quotes from the story and discuss how it affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are available here:

If you have any questions, send me an e-mail at english102wcc@gmail.com, and allow up to 24 hours for a response (although I will most likely get back to you much sooner than that).

Get a Sense of the Times: College Students Protest the War:
On May 4, 1970, a student demonstration at Kent State, Ohio left four students dead, one paralyzed, and eight others wounded. This demonstration, meant to be one of many peaceful demonstrations against the war, was ended abruptly and violently when the National Guard fired into the crowd for 13 seconds. The brief shootings ended the lives of students Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer. The distances ranged from 270 feet to 390 feet. Some of these students were not even directly involved. Justified or not by self-defense, the "massacre" sparked a nationwide student strike that closed many colleges and universities.

Extra Credit Opportunity:
Watch one of the following Vietnam-era movies and thereafter submit a 400-500 word brief summary and first response.  The summary/first response should be submitted via e-mail to english101wcc@gmail.com on or before Wednesday, April 7, 2010 @ 12:00 Noon.  The summary will have a value of up to 25 points.


Flight of the Valkyries clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHjWDCX1Bdw

Born on the Fourth of July movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8NR6n1nRMI


Good Morning, Vietnam! trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mJoHqmtFcQ

The Killing Fields trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z1sj7gzpCk



What do YOU carry?


ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Due Tuesday, March 30, 2010
@ 10:00 PM EDT

What do you carry for luck?
What do you carry that you are superstitious about?
What do you carry for necessity?
What do you carry for someone else?
What do you carry in your thoughts?

Be sure to put your first name and the initial of your last name on the post, or it will be rejected and we won't be able to enjoy your comment!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTRA CREDIT
Due on or before 
Wednesday, May 5, 2010,
@ 8:00 AM EDT





To be eligible to "earn" extra credit, students must timely submit their Essay #1, Essay #2, Essay #3, and Research Paper.  Students who have not submitted the assignments required for the class are not eligible for extra credit.  In other words, students cannot use the extra credit assignments to "replace" work that was not turned in.

Each extra credit assignment is eligible to "earn" up to 25 points.  Students may turn in up to three (3) extra credit assignments, for a total of 75 points.

Students may attend an event related to the arts (theater, ballet, gallery opening, lecture, foreign film, etc.) and thereafter submit a 400-500 word brief summary and a first response.  The summary/first response should be submitted via e-mail (to english101wcc@gmail.com) on or before Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at 8:00 AM. Students are also required to submit their ticket stub from the event.  Extra credit papers submitted without a ticket stub will not be accepted.

Westchester Community College has many events scheduled this semester that "qualify" as an extra credit event.  Several are listed below.  Students may also attend an event of their choosing that is not on the list; however, any event not on the list below must have the prior approval of Professor Roberts.

E-mail any questions to: english101wcc@gmail.com


Mercy College 11th Annual International Film Festival
April 5-9, 2010 (a different film every night)
Door open at 6:30 PM: Films begin @ 7:00 PM and are followed by a lecture
Admission is FREE!!!
All films with English subtitles
Event Website:

Meet the Filmmakers: Ironbound Films
4/6/2010 @ 7:00 PM
Event Description:
Event Location:
Center for the Digital Arts  (View Map)
27 North Division St.
Peekskill, NY 10566
More Information and Ticket Prices:

Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn (sponsored by the English Department)
4/08/2010 @ 6:00 PM
Event Description
The Great Books Forum offers an opportunity to encounter great works of classic and modern literature and company with other interested readers from the college and the community. The theme of our Spring 2010 forum is literature set in Brooklyn.
Location Information:
Library - Room 320
Contact Information:
Name: Frank Madden
Phone: 914-606-6932
WCC Link:

LES BALLETS JAZZ de MONTREAL
4/24/2010 @ 8:00 PM
Event Description
Canada’s internationally acclaimed touring ensemble is known for its creative combination of ballet, jazz and modern genres, not to mention its indefatigable energy. Eleven powerhouse performers showcase a cascade of eclectically inspired music selections and dance styles from Vivaldi arias and klezmer to Brazil’s capoiera.
Wild but wonderful, this carnival of movement—“insect-like creeping, shoulderdislocating partnering, hitch kicks, ronds de jambe, wheeling turns, and leaping quick steps all bring down the house with sheer exuberance and precise execution, par excellence.”  (San Diego Arts)
Location Information:
Academic Arts Theatre
More Information and Ticket Prices:

FRIDAY NIGHT FILM SERIES (sponsored by the English Department):
(Six consecutive Fridays beginning April 10, 2010
All films begin @ 8:00 PM
April 10, “The Band’s Visit,” Israel (2007) (w/English subtitles)
April 17, “Private Fears in Private Places,” France (2007) (w/English subtitles)
April 24, “My Father, My Lord,” Israel (2008) (w/English subtitles)
May 1, “Mafioso,” Italy (1962) (re-released 2007) (w/English subtitles)
May 8, “Facing Windows,” Italy (2003) (w/English subtitles)
May 15, “Flight of the Red Balloon,” France (2008) (w/English subtitles)
Location Information:
Room 200, Classroom Building
More Information and Ticket Prices: http://www.sunywcc.edu/events/smart_arts/sa_film.htm

Friday, March 12, 2010

ESSAY #2: ARCHETYPES AND ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY

ESSAY #2: ARCHETYPES AND
ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010,
AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT EDT

ESSAY TOPIC: Archetypes and Analysis of the Short Story

ESSAY TITLE: ESSAY #2: ARCHETYPES AND ANALYSIS OF THE SHORT STORY

ESSAY STRUCTURE: Analyze and Discuss

ESSAY COMPONENTS: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and “A Worn Path” (choose one) and “Archetypes” handout (http://www.flagler.k12.fl.us/media/documents/02053085-6ca6-495a-aa6a-ecb27a004a9b.pdf)

ESSAY QUESTION: “An archetype is an original pattern, model or symbol, a persistent representation of an idea of concept across cultures which seems to represent common patterns of human life . . . making it (the archetype) the basis for universal themes.” (Nix)
Choose from “A Good Man is Hard to Find” and “A Worn Path.”  Use the “Archetypes” handout to uncover and discuss the archetypes (universal themes) of the story and how they add to a deeper understanding of the character(s) and the text.

ESSAY VALUE: Be sure to include all components of the essay question in your essay.  This essay has a value of 100 points.

ESSAY GUIDELINES: Be sure to follow the guidelines for preparing and submitting your essay.  Essay guidelines are available here:

ESSAY GUIDELINES


ESSAY GUIDELINES
COMP & LIT I

Paper Guidelines
© Minimum 800 words; maximum 1,000 words
© Minimum of five (5) quotes from each piece (although quotes should not exceed 20% of your total words)
© Minimum of three (3) primary sources, cited in MLA format; include the list at the end of your essay
Left-hand corner of paper, single-spaced:
FIRST AND LAST NAME (in all CAPS)
Date Paper Due
Professor Melinda Roberts
Comp & Lit I: Spring 2010
Centered Title (all CAPS and bolded):
“TITLE OF ESSAY"

Submission of Essay:
© Essays will be submitted via e-mail to: mailto:english101wcc@gmail.com
© Cut and paste your essay into the e-mail (essays sent as an attachment to the essay will not be accepted).
© Put your first name, last name, and TITLE OF ESSAY as the subject of the e-mail.

Essays must be received on or before at 12:00 midnight on the due date You will receive a reply e-mail confirming receipt of your essay within 24 hours. It is strongly suggested that you submit your essay well in advance of the deadline to avoid any computer and/or Internet-related technical snafus.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Papers that do not meet the paper guidelines (for any reason) will not be accepted and will be given a score of zero (0).

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Papers are due by 12:00 noon on the due date.  Late papers will not be accepted and will be given a score of zero (0).

Thursday, March 11, 2010

"Her Letters," by Kate Chopin

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010,
AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT EST

Read "Her Letters," by Kate Chopin, available online (not in the class text):
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/kchopin/bl-kchop-herletters.htm

For an audio recording of the story, go to iTunes on your computer, go to the iTunes store, search for "Kate Chopin - 23 Unabridged Stories," and then scroll down to Story No. 7 ("Her Letters"), and download it for FREE.

Write a first response to "Her Letters."
Use the following writing prompts: How did you feel about the wife? How did you feel about the husband? How did you feel about the letters? Did the ending surprise you?
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotations from the story to justify and/or explain your response.  
Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 3-5 from the story and discuss how it affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are available here:

"The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010,
AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT EDT

Read "The Story of an Hour," by Kate Chopin (pages 69-71).

Here's a link to a very cool online study guide which includes the full text of the story and study notes (caution! spoiler alert! be sure to follow the guidelines!):
http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/sg-Chopin-SH.htm

Here's a link to an online audio recording of a reading of "The Story of an Hour":
http://ia311030.us.archive.org/2/items/short_story_026_0804_librivox/shortstory026_storyofanhour_add_64kb.mp3

Write a first response to "The Story of an Hour."
Use the following writing prompts: How did you feel about Mrs. Mallard at the beginning of the story? At the end of the story? Did the ending surprise you?
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotations from the story to justify and/or explain your response.  
Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 3-5 quotes from the story and discuss how it affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are available here:

http://english101wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/03/first-response-paper-guidelines.html 

Secret Love

ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010,
AT 10:00 P.M. EDT

You have been happily dating/married to the love of your life for several years. Suddenly you discover your sweetie has been hiding a stack of letters from you. He/she is very secretive about the letters, won't tell you who the letters are from, and refuses to throw them away. What would you do?

Be sure to put your first name and the initial of your last name on the post, or it will be rejected and we won't be able to enjoy your comment!

Kate Chopin (1851-1904)

ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010,
AT 10:00 P.M. EST

Google "Kate Chopin." Find one interesting fact about her and post it. Be sure your fact has not already been posted by someone else, or your post will be rejected. Also be sure to include your first name and the first initial of your last name so we know who posted what.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Library Research Assignment


LIBRARY RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT
DUE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 2010
@ 8:00 A.M.

Here's the link to the assignment (in case you weren't there for the workshop on March 10th, or if you lost the papers): http://www.sunywcc.edu/library/research/lib_assign2010.pdf

If you have any questions about the assignment, please contact the librarian, Professor Kate Ray (who taught the workshop).  She can be reached in her office, by telephone, or by e-mail:
  • Office:  Library 121 (first floor in the back on the north side of the building)
  • Telephone:   914-606-6578
  • E-mail:  catherine.ray@sunywcc.edu
Bring your completed worksheet to class on March 24th, and I will deliver them to Professor Ray for grading.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Your research paper (due the last week of class) will not be accepted until you successfully complete the library research assignment.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Water, Water Everywhere . . .













SUNRISE ON A MAY MORN 2009
Looking south towards Manhattan from the east bank of the Hudson River, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York



ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2010
@ 10:00 P.M. EST

Is there a particular river, or other body of water, that you feel most connected to? What is it? Where is it? What makes it special to you?

"The Negro Speaks of Rivers," by Langston Hughes

Top Photo: A camel ride at the pyramids
Giza, Egypt: 12/24/2001
Bottom Photo: Waiting for the ferry, alongside the Nile
Aswan, Egypt: 12/26/2001


HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010,
@ 12:00 MIDNIGHT


Respond to Post a Comment assignment:
http://english101wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/03/sunrise-on-may-morn-2009-looking-south.html


Read "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," by Langston Hughes (on pages 1115-1116 of our text).


Enjoy Langston Hughes himself reading the poem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V425SdNWIJU


Write a first response paper to "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."
Use the following writing prompts: What images did the poem bring to you? What is the spiritual significance of the poem? 
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotations from the poem to justify and/or explain your response to the poem.  Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 2-3 quotations from the poem and discuss how it affected you.


Guidelines for first response papers are available here:
http://english101wcc02.blogspot.com/2010/03/first-response-paper-guidelines.html 

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

ONLINE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010,
@ 10:00 P.M. EST

An ancient Chinese proverb says: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." What is the furtherest you have journeyed from your home? Where did you go? Did you enjoy the experience?

Be sure to put your first name and the initial of your last name on the post, so we know who you are (otherwise your post will not be accepted and we won't get to read your interesting story . . .)

FIRST RESPONSE PAPER GUIDELINES


Graveyard angel blanketed in snow (taken 2/26/2010)

* Short Stories: minimum 350 words; maximum 500 words (NOT including student/class information and title)
* Poems: minimum 250 words; maximum 350 words (NOT including student/class information and title)
* A first response paper is not a summary -- use 3-5 quotations from the story (2-3 quotations from the poem) and tell how the piece affected you.

Upper left-hand corner, single spaced:
FIRST AND LAST NAME
Date Assignment is Due
Professor Melinda Roberts
Comp & Lit I: Spring 2010
Centered Title (all caps and bolded):
RESPONSE PAPER: "TITLE OF SHORT STORY/ POEM"

Submission of Response Paper:
  • Submit via e-mail to:  english102wcc@gmail.com
  • Cut and paste your response paper into the e-mail (response papers sent as an attachment to the e-mail will not be accepted.)
  • Put your first name, last name and RESPONSE PAPER: "TITLE OF STORY/POEM" as the subject of the e-mail.
  • Response papers are due on or before 12:00 midnight EDT on the assignment's posted due date.
  • You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your response paper within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within 24 hours, locate your original e-mail in your "sent" folder and resend it.
  • It is strongly suggested that you submit your response paper well in advance of the deadline to avoid any technical complications which may occur as a result of your computer or the internet.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Response papers that do not meet the paper guidelines will not be accepted and will receipt a score of zero.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Response papers are due on or before 12:00 midnight EST on the assignment's posted due date. Late papers will not be acceptedand will be given a score of zero.

If you have any questions, send me an e-mail at english102wcc@gmail.com, and allow up to 24 hours for a response (although I will most likely get back to you much sooner than that).

"A Worn Path," by Eudora Welty

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
DUE TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010,
@ 12:00 MIDNIGHT EST

Respond to "Post a Comment" activity:

Print out and read the story, "A Worn Path" (bring with you to class on March 10th):

You may also listen along as Eudora Welty reads "A Worn Path" (read in 1953):
(this link opens on my PC, but not on my MAC . . . :( )

Write a first response to "A Worn Path."  
Use the following writing prompts: What was your first impression of Phoenix Jackson? What was your impression of her at the beginning of the story? At the end of the story? Did your impression of her change as you read the story? Which aspect of the work affected you most? Why?
Or free-write your own response.
Be sure to provide specific textual details and quotations from the story to justify and/or explain your response to the story.  Remember, a first response is not a summary -- use 3-5 quotations from the story and discuss how the story affected you.

Guidelines for first response papers are available here:

Enjoy a movie adaptation of "A Worn Path" online (in two parts):

You may also enjoy:
An interview with Eudora Welty:
The photography of Eudora Welty:

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

"A Good Man is Hard to Find" In-Class Group Work Assignments



QUESTION: What does the grandmother mean by "a good man"? Whom does she consider "good people"? Why does she tell the Misfit that he is "a good man"?


  • The grandmother is the protagonist. She has strong religious beliefs and also has the superior attitude to think that everybody behaves wrongly except her. In her mind we can clearly judge that she was controlling the rest of the people around her by telling them where to go and what to do.
  • When the grandmother said “good people” shows her selfishness to safe her life; using those strong words, the grandmother thinks that she can change her destiny and the way of thinking of the misfit.
  • Also the grandmother considers that “good people” are those people like her only people from her generation were good, responsible, honest, and educated.
  • Since the beginning in the story the grandmother always want to change people’s idea.  “The grandmother didn’t want to go to Florida. She wanted to visit some of her connections in East Tennessee and seizing at every chance to change Bailey’s mind.” The same way she wants to do with the misfit when she knew that will be killed. The grandmother said “Jesus” the old lady cried. “You’ve got good blood!! I know you wouldn’t shoot a lady! I know you come from nice people! Pray! Jesus, you ought not to shoot a lady, I’ll give you all the money I’ve got!” unconsciously the grandmother was wrong about what good people.
  • We could say that the grandmother didn’t know anything about life because nobody knows what is good of bad or what people are capable to do. The misfit gave her a lesson. In the story the Misfit shows that you have to life the fullness without criticizing everybody around you.  “He thrown everything off balance” this phrase tells us that in this world there is not good or bad people and even thought your parents raised you with morals by telling you what is good or bad, everyone chooses what is better for each individual.
  • When the grandmother says “You are one of my children” she realizes the responsibility she had for the misfit as society has the responsibility for the common people in the world.
  • The grandmother tells the misfit that he is a good man because through his actions made her acknowledge how the grace can strength the faith. When the grandmother died she clears her mind knowing that she was like any other human being.
  • At the end of the story we can conclude that the Misfit and the Grandmother redeem themselves. The grandmother had to know where the good people are when they recognize their mistakes, and the only way was dying. She reached the grace of god and meet with Jesus in the only place in which Jesus is, Heaven. “It’s not a real pleasure in life.” These are the words the misfit said. He also had the opportunity to accept the grace when he killed the grandmother; watching the grandmother expression that kept in mind and wasn’t happy at all for what he done. 
Submitted by: Tania G., Diana M., and Cesar M.