Week 2: Monday, 8/31- Friday, 9/4

 Unit 1: Investigating a Discourse Community 

By end-of-day Monday, 8/31 

READING:

WRITING

Micro-Activity #2: Introduction to Discourse Communities 

  • Write a post in which you do the following:
    • Do a double-entry journal for two observations that Swales makes about discourse communities. To do this, find two quotes that you find compelling. Write down each quotation and then explain what you found interesting (or even confusing) about the quotation.

You can use the following format for your response:

Quote 1:

Response:

Quote 2:

Response:

    • Think about the basic definition Swales gives (page two/paragraph three), and make a list of three discourse communities you participate in. Write at least two sentences explaining each of your choices. Discuss the basic “values, assumptions, and ways of communicating” found in each discourse community you listed.
    • Look at the comments in the introductory Discussion about online learning from your classmates last week and comment on two (these should be in addition to the comments you already wrote). Think of your comments as a conversation with the other student: in other words, if you were in the classroom with this person how would you respond to their questions, confusion, expectations etc. about taking an online course.
  • Before publishing your post, make sure you do the following:
    • Title it “Micro-Activity # 2: Introduction to Discourse Communities”
    • Pick the category “Week 2 Work”

By end-of-day Wednesday, 9/2

READING:

WRITING:

Quick Comments

  • Go to my Discussion Question regarding Unit 1: Discourse Communities, and add a comment to list any questions you have about the assignment.
  • Go to my Discussion Question on Geeta Kothari and add a comment to respond to the following: Who is this piece intended for? To which DC/DCs does Kothari belong? Do you relate to her situation in any way: it does not have to be a situation that is specifically related to food! Think broadly. (approx. 150 words)

Micro-Activity #3: Brainstorming Discourse Communities

  • Write a post in which you do the following (approx. 300 words):
    • By now you have begun to think about the concept of a discourse community (DC) and you’ve identified discourse communities (DCs) to which you belong. Now pick one from that list (or choose a new one you’ve thought of) and name two or three issues or problems that are central to that DC.
    • Pick the issue or problem that interests you the most and spend 30 minutes online researching it. Set a timer to keep you on task! Some things to look for and note: Are there certain catch phrases or claims that continue to arise connected to this DC? What solutions have been tried regarding the problem or issue you are researching? Are there key players– if so, what are their positions/views? You may interview (over the phone or via email is fine) those affected by, dealing with, or who are in other ways involved with the problem you have identified. Find three or four relevant and reliable sources; keep track of your sources, and take detailed notes on what you find.
  • Before publishing your post, make sure you do the following:
    • Title it “Micro-Activity # 3:Brainstorming Discourse Communities”
    • Pick the category “Week 2 Work”