Monday, 8/31- Friday, 9/4
Unit 1: Investigating a Discourse Community
By end-of-day Monday, 8/31, the following activities are DUE (end-of-day means 11:59 PM):
READ:
- John Swales, “Reflections on the Concept of Discourse Community”
WRITE:
Micro-Activity #2: Introduction to Discourse Communities
- Complete double-entry journal for Swales reading. Post this under Student Work: Unit 1 Work. Read on below to visualize this:
- 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 2/paragraph 3), 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. Remember to post the journal under Student Work: Unit 1 Work.
- When you’ve posted the above journal, look at the observations about online learning posted by your classmates last week (the first “Micro” assignment) and comment on two. 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.
- Begin to brainstorm discourse communities for Unit 1: Investigating a Discourse Community
By end-of-day Wednesday, 9/2, the following activities are DUE (end-of-day means 11:59 PM):
READ:
- Read Geeta Kothari, “If You Are What You Eat, Then What am I?”
- Read through the assignment guidelines for Unit 1: Investigating a Discourse Community
WRITE:
Quick Comments
- Respond to Discussion Question regarding Unit 1: Investigating a Discourse Community: List any questions you have about the assignment.
- Respond to Discussion Question on Geeta Kothari and discourse community: 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
- The following activity should be posted under Student Work: Unit 1 Work. Write about 300 words to receive full credit!
- 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.
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