Web-X Assignments for English 1001

The internet is becoming a primary means of research and the exchange of ideas, and this assignment requires us to consider the possibilities and pitfalls that our increasing dependence on the internet entails. You will complete all of the following assignments on the Web-X forum designated for Fall 2005 English 1001.

Each of the following assignments requires one initial posting and at least one response of 50 words minimum to a classmate's posting.

1. Favorite Poem. Which poem by Frost or Williams on the syllabus is your favorite? Refer to specific details in the poem in supporting your argument. You must restrict your choice to the poems on the syllabus for this class. (200 words) DUE FEBRUARY 1st.

2. Helpful Websites. What is a useful website for researching a topic related to one of the works on the syllabus? (250 words, one link) DUE DATES (CHOOSE ONE):

   COOPER—MARCH 2ND

   ERDRICH—MARCH 23RD

   TWAIN—APRIL 6TH

   HURSTON—APRIL 25TH

   Sign up in advance for one of the above works on the syllabus. Identify a topic related to the chosen work. Then, find a website that provides useful information that pertains to that topic and that offers you a clearer understanding of that topic. The topic you choose should be something other than the title of the work or the name of the author. Also, do not use a link to Sparknotes or any similar resource that simply addresses the chosen work. Instead, be creative in your choice of topic and think of some new way to approach your chosen work. Identify your topic clearly in your posting (i.e., include it in the subject line).

   By the deadline for your book, post your link with a 250-word commentary that explains why we should find this link helpful. Two basic rules for links:

   1. It cannot be a link that someone has already posted to the forum.
   2. Again, it cannot be a link to the Sparknotes, Cliffnotes or other obvious page for this work. Be creative in choosing a site.

   Commentary should provide a brief overview of what the site has to offer and an argument for why your classmates should bother looking at the site-how the site will give your classmates a new perspective on the chosen book. Type the URL for the link directly in your commentary. Web-X can usually figure out that you are using a URL and will turn it into an active link automatically. You can make extra sure that it does this by typing it in with html markup (if you know how to do that).

3. Why We Read Literature. In light of the issues we have discussed this semester, what is the primary reason for us to study literature? Write a brief, persuasive argument to support your opinion. (150 words) DUE APRIL 25th.

4. Response to Other Postings. 50 words minimum for each response—respond to postings for each of the above by the following dates to receive credit: INTRODUCTION-FEBRUARY 9TH; HELPFUL WEBSITES-MAY 4TH; WHY WE READ LITERATURE-MAY 4TH.

   Procedure

   1. Sign up before the end of the third week of class for one of the authors on the course syllabus. I will pass a sign-in sheet around in class.

   2. Sign in to Web-X:

      1. Go to "http://www.d.umn.edu/webx".
      2. DO NOT REGISTER. Simply log in instead.
      3. Log in using your UMD login ID (the first part of your e-mail address) and "webx" as your password (unless you have used Web-X in a previous class, in which case your password should still be the same as before).
      4. Once you are logged in, a list of folders will appear. You will want the one titled "John Schwetman."
      5. On your first visit, click on "Preferences" to give yourself a new password and an image to identify yourself with. I have provided some images for this purpose on the course web page at "http://www.d.umn.edu/~jschwetm/spring2006/engl1001/extra.html". You can obtain one of these pictures by right-clicking (PC) or control-clicking (Mac) on it and saving it to your local computer's hard drive and then enter it from there into your Web-X preferences.

   3. By the above deadlines, post your commentaries and respond to those of your classmates. Choose commentaries that look interesting to you, and follow any links included. Then post a response to that thread. Do you agree or disagree with the commentary? You are welcome to include links in your responses if they contribute in some way to the point you are trying to make.

   Grading Standards

   You will receive a grade on this assignment based on the following factors:

   Clarity of the arguments that you make at each stage of the project.

   Originality of your choice of a link and of insights regarding the link and the literary work in question.

   Understanding of the subject matter.

   Persuasiveness.

   This project contributes to half of your participation grade for this course.