Wednesday, August 29, 2012

For blogging workshop tomorrow: get a Gmail account

If you don't already have a Gmail account, please sign up for one before tomorrow's class.  Blogger, one of the blogging platforms we'll be working with, now requires a Gmail account for access. If you don't want to get a Gmail account, you can work with Wordpress instead, since it doesn't require one.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Visit to the MASC is set

Good news!  Our class visit to the MASC is confirmed for October 2.  I will talk about the details in class.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Reports

The report sign-ups have been posted to the web at http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/engl368/reports.htm. Please check to see that your choice is listed correctly.


. When you present your report to the class, keep in mind that it should be short: 5-7 minutes maximum. You can also team up with another class member, if you choose to do so. If you do, you may combine the number of allotted minutes (e.g., 2 people could have up to 10-14 minutes), although you do not have to do so. 

2. You can use PowerPoint or other presentation tools, but they are not required. If you use PowerPoint, you need to upload it to a presentation site such as Slideshare, email the presentation to me no later than 9 p.m. on the day before the report, or bring your own computer. 

3. If you choose the report option, you'll also prepare a one-page "fact sheet" to hand out to the class. This should include the following:

Information (bibliography) on your sources.

An outline, timeline, or summaries of information about articles you've read. You should include at least one critical article or book in preparing your report.



Your presentation may focus on something you wish to work on for your paper. You may also want to work on one of the following: 

Additional information about the social, intellectual, artistic, scientific, philosophical, or historical contexts for the works and authors assigned in class.

Interpretations of works or aspects of a work not read in class.

Introductions to authors not specifically covered in the course.

Discussion of one or more critical works relating to the era. Using information from Wikipedia or other general sources is not sufficient.

Background about the social and intellectual connections among certain groups of authors.

Note: These are suggested topics, but you're welcome to choose your own in consultation with me.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Office hours

My office hours will change slightly after September 12.

Current office hours: T, Th 9-10, 2:50-3:30

After September 12: T, Th 9-10, 12-1

Remember, you can always reach me via email to set up a "virtual office hour" in which to chat via Skype or Google chat.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

"Transcendental Wild Oats"

You can find Alcott's "Transcendental Wild Oats" in a printable version on the Readings page at http://www.wsu.edu/~campbelld/engl368/readings.htm, or click here for a direct link: http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/engl368/transoats.pdf.

For those of you who follow Twitter, I'll be tweeting as @campbellcourse. You can contribute to the discussion by using the hashtag #engl368.

Although I won't routinely send email to you all as a class, I'll be sending this message via email just to be sure that the address you have in zzusis is working.