Friday, October 29, 2010
When You Get to Class: Write 5-10 Questions
Write 5-10 questions you hope to answer in your research.
How to Evaluate Sources: The Death of Christopher McCandless/Alexander Supertramp
To get a general idea about who Christopher McCandless (aka Alexander Supertramp) was, look at the Wikipedia entry.
There are a lot of different questions that could be asked about Christopher McCandless:
Was his death an act of suicide or an accident?
What was his exact cause of death?
How did his upbringing influence him?
How did his reading influence him?
Was he “crazy”?
How did his death influence others?
All of the following could be used for sources, but it depends on which direction you decide to go in for the paper.
There is a movie called Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn, which is based on the book by Jon Krakauer, which was originally written as an article for Outside.
There is also a documentary about Chris’s life called Call of the Wild in which the filmmaker, Ron Lamothe, follows in Chris’s footsteps and interviews many of the people from Chris’s life. He found a lot of things wrong with Penn’s movie and Krakauer’s assessments, which are detailed in part of his website.
Another book is in the works, due out the end of this year, called Back to the Wild. Here is the author's website.
Other sources:
“The Cult of Chris McCandless”
Chris’s S.O.S. note
“Mother Nature’s Restless Sons”
An interview with a man who met Chris on the road.
"Come to Alaska, but please don't go 'Wild'"
Excerpts from Chris’s own writing in his college newspaper:
“10 True Facts about Chris McCandless, or Alaska scores another point for natural selection”
“Into the Wild: The False Being Within”
In which situations might these different sources be useful? What might make you not want to use them? Think about what you have learned about different kinds of sources.
There are a lot of different questions that could be asked about Christopher McCandless:
Was his death an act of suicide or an accident?
What was his exact cause of death?
How did his upbringing influence him?
How did his reading influence him?
Was he “crazy”?
How did his death influence others?
All of the following could be used for sources, but it depends on which direction you decide to go in for the paper.
There is a movie called Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn, which is based on the book by Jon Krakauer, which was originally written as an article for Outside.
There is also a documentary about Chris’s life called Call of the Wild in which the filmmaker, Ron Lamothe, follows in Chris’s footsteps and interviews many of the people from Chris’s life. He found a lot of things wrong with Penn’s movie and Krakauer’s assessments, which are detailed in part of his website.
Another book is in the works, due out the end of this year, called Back to the Wild. Here is the author's website.
Other sources:
“The Cult of Chris McCandless”
Chris’s S.O.S. note
“Mother Nature’s Restless Sons”
An interview with a man who met Chris on the road.
"Come to Alaska, but please don't go 'Wild'"
Excerpts from Chris’s own writing in his college newspaper:
“10 True Facts about Chris McCandless, or Alaska scores another point for natural selection”
“Into the Wild: The False Being Within”
In which situations might these different sources be useful? What might make you not want to use them? Think about what you have learned about different kinds of sources.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Possible Sources: New Robert Moses documents in LaGuardia and Wagner Archives
Please see below. This might be helpful to those of you doing historically-based New York research.
Dear College Community,
Encourage your students to think like historians! I am pleased to announce a new collection of Robert Moses primary documents within the papers of the former New York City Council President Newbold Morris.
Attached are four documents from the mid-twentieth century found within the collection that may be useful in your classroom. The two Moses speeches look at New York City’s controversial Slum Clearance and Urban Renewal policies during the 1950s. Another speech is a Moses eulogy for LaGuardia in 1948, which is interesting considering these two men did not always see eye to eye. The other attached document is a New York Times interview conducted in 1959 which has a compelling metaphorical image of the “Master Builder” that can be used in a smart classroom to generate discussion about art, the media and civic responsibility. These documents can help those students taking the ACT exam, as well as Critical Thinking Social Science, and Communication students.
In addition to these documents, the La Guardia and Wagner Archives has a rich array of documents concerning urban planning, slum clearance and urban renewal, and other New York City social issues. If you have any further questions or would like to conduct research at the La Guardia and Wagner Archives, please contact me at: (718) 482-5065.
Tara J. Hickman
Educational Associate
La Guardia and Wagner Archives
Adjunct Professor
Social Sciences
(718) 482-5065
Thickman@lagcc.cuny.edu
Dear College Community,
Encourage your students to think like historians! I am pleased to announce a new collection of Robert Moses primary documents within the papers of the former New York City Council President Newbold Morris.
Attached are four documents from the mid-twentieth century found within the collection that may be useful in your classroom. The two Moses speeches look at New York City’s controversial Slum Clearance and Urban Renewal policies during the 1950s. Another speech is a Moses eulogy for LaGuardia in 1948, which is interesting considering these two men did not always see eye to eye. The other attached document is a New York Times interview conducted in 1959 which has a compelling metaphorical image of the “Master Builder” that can be used in a smart classroom to generate discussion about art, the media and civic responsibility. These documents can help those students taking the ACT exam, as well as Critical Thinking Social Science, and Communication students.
In addition to these documents, the La Guardia and Wagner Archives has a rich array of documents concerning urban planning, slum clearance and urban renewal, and other New York City social issues. If you have any further questions or would like to conduct research at the La Guardia and Wagner Archives, please contact me at: (718) 482-5065.
Tara J. Hickman
Educational Associate
La Guardia and Wagner Archives
Adjunct Professor
Social Sciences
(718) 482-5065
Thickman@lagcc.cuny.edu
Saturday, October 23, 2010
When You Get to Class: Write Me a Letter
When you get to class today, write me a short letter (at least a paragraph) in your research journal telling me about how your research is going, especially how your time in the library went last week. What is your topic right now? What are some problems you're having? What have you found so far?
Possible Website Sources: LaGuardia and Wagner Archives, NPR, and StoryCorps
Two of these possible sources were mentioned in your reading in Ch. 4 (The LaGuardia and Wagner Archives and NPR). Another one I have in mind is StoryCorps.
Take a look around these three websites. What kind of information can you get from them? What is the format of that information (sound files, photographs, etc.)?
More importantly, could you use any of these websites in your research?
Take a look around these three websites. What kind of information can you get from them? What is the format of that information (sound files, photographs, etc.)?
More importantly, could you use any of these websites in your research?
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Today's Class: Library Day
I won't be able to join you in the library today, but please make sure to give yourself a full two hours in the library researching your topic. Remember, for next class you will be bringing in three hard copies of possible research materials to share with the class. Also, make sure to read and do all of the activities in Chapter 4, which we will be discussing that day as well.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Possible Topics
Here is a list of possible topics that you said you were interested in last week (in no particular order):
Actually became very interested in Lizzey Borden
Adoption for Gay Parent
Adoption
Growing up Diabetic to Newly becoming one at an adult.
How old is too old/young to retired.
Do video games really affect children?
Health care reform.
How hard is to grow in a bilingual word?
Child abuse
I remember I read part of the book “The Little Seamstress”, which talks about the culture revolution of China around in 1940s. Chairman Mao would like to unify peoples’ knowledge and control their thoughts. However, in 1997, the civil revolution of China was caused by those young people who had higher education and questioned the authority for many hidden truths. As a Chinese, I am interesting on this topic and would like to put my time to do the research about the causes of China civil revolution. Besides finding the paper sources, I think I can do some interviews with my Chinese friend about this topic.
1) How not to raise a bully:
2) Living is a Lie
3) America’s History of Fear
4) Whether the National id is a good idea or not?
1. Global warming affects on Antarctic animals.
2. Stroke recovery survey in adults 40-62 years old.
3. September 11 recovery workers health affects
4. September 11 recovery workers that have died from exposure at wtc
5. Bp oil spill environmental affects.
6. Bed bugs
7. Out of hospital resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest.
8. Autism in children
9. Autism in Adults.
Sociologically related, Art related, Jewelry around the world, Museum & children workshops offered
Aftermath of world trade center, hurricane Katrina, suicide on college campus, teenage suicide, young children, teens on the internet(facebook) , what impact on learning a foreign language when you are young, euthanasia, what it is to be an African American women in the 21st century? Growing up in the 60’s in New York City, woman scholars,
Alcoholism
Over use of the internet and its sources
Transgenics
• Does technology have any effect on cancer?
• What type of food will give your dog longevity?
• Will you be a better parent if you have children at a younger age vs. when you are older?
-should a woman finish her career before or after having children?
Children Verbal/Speech Apraxia
Drug Addiction
Speech Disorders
Children and Communication
1. RESEARCH ON THE AMOUNT OF
STUDENTS THAT GRADUATE FROM CUNY
2. THE AMOUNT OF AAFRICAN - AMERICAN STUDENTS IN SCHOOL COMPARED TO IN
PRISON 3. THE RECIDIVISM RATE OF PRISONER RELEASED AFTER
SERVING 0-5 YEARS COMPARED TO PRISONER SEVING 5-20 YEARS
4.HIV/AIDS AND WHY IT EFFECT WHO IT EFFECTS.
5. THE POPULATION OF CUNY STUDENTS THAT WORK, GO TO SCHOOL,
AND ARE PARENTS
The 25 year history of The Mario Bros: a basic illustration of a world famous pair of plumbers and how they came into being strode into the public eye and leapt into super stardom, particularly, the red capped Mario and how a middle-aged plumber from Brooklyn was made into the everyman fantasy hero.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: A study in adaptations, focusing primarily on the evolution of The Little Shop of Horrors from b-list low budget film, to cult classic musical, to a major studio production with a star studded cast.
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: a brief history on several comic book authors born in the same neighborhood as me, their lives, rise to fame, and their fights to be recognized as artisans rather than simply facets of the industrial machine that is Comic Book Publishing. With side notes on the battles over the rights to Superman from his creator to the corporate wing.
Death of an Astronaut: Why did Nasa shut down the shuttle program.
The history of airplanes, the history of tanks, rap music, R&B music, the history of my neighborhood, the history of the Bronx, Asiatic Lion, how immigrants were treated in the 20th century, how it feels to be biracial, history of baseball, Akita dog breed, the history of video games, graffiti, cell phones, different neighborhoods of NY, jungles around the world, wars of the 20th century, Ebonics, attitudes towards immigrants around the world, attitudes towards Christians around the world, oil, dancing, singing, different types of governments, agriculture, industry, Siberian tiger, nomads, what the world was like during the year I was born, the architecture in NY,
1. Dog obesity
2. Animal cruelty
3. Animal therapy
4. Growing up with animals Vs not growing up with animals
Actually became very interested in Lizzey Borden
Adoption for Gay Parent
Adoption
Growing up Diabetic to Newly becoming one at an adult.
How old is too old/young to retired.
Do video games really affect children?
Health care reform.
How hard is to grow in a bilingual word?
Child abuse
I remember I read part of the book “The Little Seamstress”, which talks about the culture revolution of China around in 1940s. Chairman Mao would like to unify peoples’ knowledge and control their thoughts. However, in 1997, the civil revolution of China was caused by those young people who had higher education and questioned the authority for many hidden truths. As a Chinese, I am interesting on this topic and would like to put my time to do the research about the causes of China civil revolution. Besides finding the paper sources, I think I can do some interviews with my Chinese friend about this topic.
1) How not to raise a bully:
2) Living is a Lie
3) America’s History of Fear
4) Whether the National id is a good idea or not?
1. Global warming affects on Antarctic animals.
2. Stroke recovery survey in adults 40-62 years old.
3. September 11 recovery workers health affects
4. September 11 recovery workers that have died from exposure at wtc
5. Bp oil spill environmental affects.
6. Bed bugs
7. Out of hospital resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest.
8. Autism in children
9. Autism in Adults.
Sociologically related, Art related, Jewelry around the world, Museum & children workshops offered
Aftermath of world trade center, hurricane Katrina, suicide on college campus, teenage suicide, young children, teens on the internet(facebook) , what impact on learning a foreign language when you are young, euthanasia, what it is to be an African American women in the 21st century? Growing up in the 60’s in New York City, woman scholars,
Alcoholism
Over use of the internet and its sources
Transgenics
• Does technology have any effect on cancer?
• What type of food will give your dog longevity?
• Will you be a better parent if you have children at a younger age vs. when you are older?
-should a woman finish her career before or after having children?
Children Verbal/Speech Apraxia
Drug Addiction
Speech Disorders
Children and Communication
1. RESEARCH ON THE AMOUNT OF
STUDENTS THAT GRADUATE FROM CUNY
2. THE AMOUNT OF AAFRICAN - AMERICAN STUDENTS IN SCHOOL COMPARED TO IN
PRISON 3. THE RECIDIVISM RATE OF PRISONER RELEASED AFTER
SERVING 0-5 YEARS COMPARED TO PRISONER SEVING 5-20 YEARS
4.HIV/AIDS AND WHY IT EFFECT WHO IT EFFECTS.
5. THE POPULATION OF CUNY STUDENTS THAT WORK, GO TO SCHOOL,
AND ARE PARENTS
The 25 year history of The Mario Bros: a basic illustration of a world famous pair of plumbers and how they came into being strode into the public eye and leapt into super stardom, particularly, the red capped Mario and how a middle-aged plumber from Brooklyn was made into the everyman fantasy hero.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT: A study in adaptations, focusing primarily on the evolution of The Little Shop of Horrors from b-list low budget film, to cult classic musical, to a major studio production with a star studded cast.
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: a brief history on several comic book authors born in the same neighborhood as me, their lives, rise to fame, and their fights to be recognized as artisans rather than simply facets of the industrial machine that is Comic Book Publishing. With side notes on the battles over the rights to Superman from his creator to the corporate wing.
Death of an Astronaut: Why did Nasa shut down the shuttle program.
The history of airplanes, the history of tanks, rap music, R&B music, the history of my neighborhood, the history of the Bronx, Asiatic Lion, how immigrants were treated in the 20th century, how it feels to be biracial, history of baseball, Akita dog breed, the history of video games, graffiti, cell phones, different neighborhoods of NY, jungles around the world, wars of the 20th century, Ebonics, attitudes towards immigrants around the world, attitudes towards Christians around the world, oil, dancing, singing, different types of governments, agriculture, industry, Siberian tiger, nomads, what the world was like during the year I was born, the architecture in NY,
1. Dog obesity
2. Animal cruelty
3. Animal therapy
4. Growing up with animals Vs not growing up with animals
Roman Polanski: What Do Different Internet Sources Show?
Do a Google search for "Roman Polanski." As you begin typing in his name, what are some of the additional terms that Google search recommends? What might these tell you about who he is?
Read some of the different sources to get a general idea who he is and why he is famous.
How can you judge the material from these websites? Which search terms might you add to revise this search?
Read some of the different sources to get a general idea who he is and why he is famous.
How can you judge the material from these websites? Which search terms might you add to revise this search?
Essay Maps
(This activity is brought to us via the excellent writers of our textbook.)
One tool for planning your research is to write an essay map. An essay map answers these questions:
What am I going to write about?
What am I trying to demonstrate (or compare or persuade or describe)?
What is the purpose of my research?
What are the main points (or sources) I hope to use as evidence?
Here's a first attempt at an essay map:
In this essay, I am going to write about three films based on Edith Wharton’s novels. I want to demonstrate that in The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth the main characters are prisoners of their society. My research will be to find out how the values of nineteenth-century American society imprisoned certain individuals, in particular, I want to look at the way that society limited the activity of upper-class women. I will also look at Wharton’s own life to see if there are any clues to her interest in this theme.
Here is a revision that is a little shorter and smoother:
Two recent films based on Edith Wharton’s novels show upper-class women imprisoned in
their society. Set in the world of “old New York” in which the author grew up, The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence explore the lives of such victims.
One tool for planning your research is to write an essay map. An essay map answers these questions:
What am I going to write about?
What am I trying to demonstrate (or compare or persuade or describe)?
What is the purpose of my research?
What are the main points (or sources) I hope to use as evidence?
Here's a first attempt at an essay map:
In this essay, I am going to write about three films based on Edith Wharton’s novels. I want to demonstrate that in The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth the main characters are prisoners of their society. My research will be to find out how the values of nineteenth-century American society imprisoned certain individuals, in particular, I want to look at the way that society limited the activity of upper-class women. I will also look at Wharton’s own life to see if there are any clues to her interest in this theme.
Here is a revision that is a little shorter and smoother:
Two recent films based on Edith Wharton’s novels show upper-class women imprisoned in
their society. Set in the world of “old New York” in which the author grew up, The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence explore the lives of such victims.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Real Men: How Does Authorship Affect Reception?
Consider these two versions of the song "Real Men." The first is by Joe Jackson (no, not Michael's father), who originally wrote the song, and the second is a cover by Tori Amos. Does it matter who sings a song, or is a song the same no matter who sings it? Think about this in terms of your research; what are the implications of different sources of the same material?
Real Life Research
(This activity is brought to us via the excellent writers of our textbook.)
How would you go about answering these questions?
What kind of music do students in your class prefer?
What’s the best way of cooking baked ziti?
How do you diaper a baby?
What kind of jeans are “in”?
Which English teacher gives the most homework?
What is the fastest way of getting from the college to your home?
What present would your (mother, best friend) like for his/her birthday?
When is Christmas break?
What restaurant makes the best pizza in your area?
Would Venice be a good place to visit in the winter?
How would you go about answering these questions?
What kind of music do students in your class prefer?
What’s the best way of cooking baked ziti?
How do you diaper a baby?
What kind of jeans are “in”?
Which English teacher gives the most homework?
What is the fastest way of getting from the college to your home?
What present would your (mother, best friend) like for his/her birthday?
When is Christmas break?
What restaurant makes the best pizza in your area?
Would Venice be a good place to visit in the winter?
Adventures in Plagiarism: Excerpt from Recent 101 Paper
Plagiarism tends to rear its ugly head at least once a semester, and in my ENC101 class, I have seen it already, so I thought I'd show it to you as an example.
Here is a sample passage from the reading on which the first paper is based, an essay by Barbara Ehrenreich called "Are Families Dangerous?":
“Still, we shrink from the obvious inference: for a woman, home is, statistically speaking, the most dangerous place to be. Her worst enemies and potential killers are not strangers but lovers, husbands and those who claimed to love her once.” (Ehrenreich 38)
This is a passage from the student's essay:
Still, we seem to fall-short from the exposed presumption that, for some home is the most dangerous place to be. Her or his worst antagonist and possible killer are not intruders, but lovers husbands or wives and those who once claimed to have loved.
What do you think happened? Imagine you are that student: what is your thought process?
Here is a sample passage from the reading on which the first paper is based, an essay by Barbara Ehrenreich called "Are Families Dangerous?":
“Still, we shrink from the obvious inference: for a woman, home is, statistically speaking, the most dangerous place to be. Her worst enemies and potential killers are not strangers but lovers, husbands and those who claimed to love her once.” (Ehrenreich 38)
This is a passage from the student's essay:
Still, we seem to fall-short from the exposed presumption that, for some home is the most dangerous place to be. Her or his worst antagonist and possible killer are not intruders, but lovers husbands or wives and those who once claimed to have loved.
What do you think happened? Imagine you are that student: what is your thought process?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Good Hair: Different Reasons for Doing Research
Research isn't always done for a paper, and the topic isn't always "academic." Chris Rock decided to film his documentary for a very specific and personal reason. What was it?
Black + White = Grey (Album)
Last class, we briefly mentioned Danger Mouse and his "Grey Album," which was a mix of the Beatles' "White Album" and Jay-Z's "Black Album." Here's an explanation of the mashup experiment (sometimes the spelling in the video is a little off).
What Not to Do: Companies That Write Your Papers for You
This company has been advertising its services outside of LaGuardia. It goes without saying that you should not be using its services, but take a look around its website. Make sure to check out the FAQ section, particularly the answer to this question:
Once I Receive the Term Paper from you, Can I Hand it in to my Professor?
What is the answer to this question? What do you think about it?
Once I Receive the Term Paper from you, Can I Hand it in to my Professor?
What is the answer to this question? What do you think about it?