I know that you all have done an amazing job in Bridge. For your final posting, I would like you to all reflect on what you learned in Bridge, what help you think Bridge will be to you in the future. Also, if you have SPECIFIC, CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions, I would love to hear them!!
Please write a complete paragraph or two.
Thanks!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Considering the Backyard
Tomorrow afternoon you will be hearing from two faculty who are going to analyze the photos of "Beyond the Backyard," exhibition from the Contemporary Museum of Photography. So that you all are on the ball for tomorrow, I want you to--
1) Recall your favorite/most interesting photo in detail. Describe why you were intersted in it and what it "means" in the larger scheme of the exhibition.
2) Make an argument about the overall message of this exhibition. What does it tell us about American Culture, about backyards,etc? In other words, what are some beliefs--possibly the larger myth--that frames and guides the choices of the photographers, of the curator (the guy who chose the photos for the exhibition)?
1) Recall your favorite/most interesting photo in detail. Describe why you were intersted in it and what it "means" in the larger scheme of the exhibition.
2) Make an argument about the overall message of this exhibition. What does it tell us about American Culture, about backyards,etc? In other words, what are some beliefs--possibly the larger myth--that frames and guides the choices of the photographers, of the curator (the guy who chose the photos for the exhibition)?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
B Cells: Culture Implications
In the lecture yesterday, Heather A Minges Wols spoke about the science behind our immune systems, but little was said about the cultural significance of vaccinations, and diseases such as STDs and AIDS. What communities or cultures are affected by bad immune systems? Why? What can be done about this? Is there enough research/problem solving being done about these communities and diseases? Discuss thinking locally and globally.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Open-Ended Responses
For the most part so far, I have been very specific about how to respond to an idea or prompt. Many times an instructor will not be so specific and leave it up to you to choose what to talk about and then to make a conversation out of your own discussion.
I hope that you now understand that you can always use the LOCAL/GLOBAL approach to write about almost anything. To date, you all admit that two specific ideas have grabbed your attention: 1) critical thinking; 2) shock art/artistic activism. For this response, write two fully developed paragraphs on either of these ideas--or even one of your own choosing--making clear that you can respond in a thoughtful complete manner without specific directions. Remember that a complete paragraph covers the 4 steps and is about 5-8 sentences long.
I hope that you now understand that you can always use the LOCAL/GLOBAL approach to write about almost anything. To date, you all admit that two specific ideas have grabbed your attention: 1) critical thinking; 2) shock art/artistic activism. For this response, write two fully developed paragraphs on either of these ideas--or even one of your own choosing--making clear that you can respond in a thoughtful complete manner without specific directions. Remember that a complete paragraph covers the 4 steps and is about 5-8 sentences long.
Monday, July 28, 2008
How we get to the SO WHAT?!?!?! of writing.
One of the goals of a liberal education is to teach students how to think beyond the obvious, to learn to synthesize and analyze information. So far in Bridge, we have begun to model this process for you thorough the two part assignments and the Bridge postings that are usually written in two parts--one focusing on local or personal information and the second focusing on political and/or global perspectives.
For today's prompt, I want you to consider what you did this weekend. In about 100-150 words, describe something you did as fully as you pssibly can. Then, in a follow-up paragraph of 150-200 words, analyze your own behaviors using one of or all of the following ideas: worldview, mindset, or American Myth. That is, consider how what you did reveals a particular perspective or belief. Consdier what role this has in terms of political power. Discuss larger issues that may be addresses from behavior that is usually understood as somewhat irrelevant or benign--like going to the movies, or hanging out with friends. In other words, how could you turn your individual personal story into a longer discussion about something relevant to other people? That's the real goal in most writing.
For today's prompt, I want you to consider what you did this weekend. In about 100-150 words, describe something you did as fully as you pssibly can. Then, in a follow-up paragraph of 150-200 words, analyze your own behaviors using one of or all of the following ideas: worldview, mindset, or American Myth. That is, consider how what you did reveals a particular perspective or belief. Consdier what role this has in terms of political power. Discuss larger issues that may be addresses from behavior that is usually understood as somewhat irrelevant or benign--like going to the movies, or hanging out with friends. In other words, how could you turn your individual personal story into a longer discussion about something relevant to other people? That's the real goal in most writing.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Getting to know you!
Thanks to you all for posting introductions. I appreciate your candid responses and am really interested in the range of passions and accomplishments represented in this class. This is definitely an interesting group of people with a wide-range of tastes and experience. This kind of diversity is what makes a college classroom one of the most exciting places in the world. Of course, that is my opinion. But, since you're here, I would have to assume that this can be, at the very least, a bonus of your college life.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Yesterday's trip to the Cultural Center
Describe yesterday's trip to the cultural center.
1) Reflect upon the exhibit and your connection/reaction to what you saw. Marilyn Monroe was quoted as saying, "I am an artifical product." What does this mean? What does it say about the relationship between stardom and media?
2) Do you feel that there are other celebrities or cultural figures who represent these kinds of political ideas? Who might be a great example of the relationship between image and power in the media? What do you think about how they are using this relationship?
1) Reflect upon the exhibit and your connection/reaction to what you saw. Marilyn Monroe was quoted as saying, "I am an artifical product." What does this mean? What does it say about the relationship between stardom and media?
2) Do you feel that there are other celebrities or cultural figures who represent these kinds of political ideas? Who might be a great example of the relationship between image and power in the media? What do you think about how they are using this relationship?
Monday, July 21, 2008
This drives me CRAZYand that is AMAZING!!
I thought we might have a "fun" little place on the blog where folks could vent about anything and everything (given that we're not specifically mean). I can start--
When I am driving, it makes me NUTS when drivers drive slowly in the far left lane!!
When I am on the train, it drives me crazy to have to watch, smell and hear folks eat when it is early in the morning!!!
In contrast, I totally LOVE it when the train is just pulling up when I get on the platform and I neither have to speed up or slow down in order to get on and then get a seat,
This isn't a required posting, but I thought you could all add your own thoughts whenever you feel like it!
When I am driving, it makes me NUTS when drivers drive slowly in the far left lane!!
When I am on the train, it drives me crazy to have to watch, smell and hear folks eat when it is early in the morning!!!
In contrast, I totally LOVE it when the train is just pulling up when I get on the platform and I neither have to speed up or slow down in order to get on and then get a seat,
This isn't a required posting, but I thought you could all add your own thoughts whenever you feel like it!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Welcome!!!
Hello and welcome (once again!) to the 2008 session of Bridge at Columbia College Chicago. These next four weeks have been designed to be an intense and rewarding experience for you.
As a part of your English Studies course in Bridge, you will be required to post prompts and respond to promts here on our Bridge 2008 Blog.
The purpose of this work is to provide you with more opportunity to write, with more expereince with responding to ideas.
In this, your first Blog posting, I ask that you write an Introduction for yourself. You might begin with some basic demographic information--age, major, where you live, family members, etc.--but work toward a more complicated, complex, and complete presentation of yourself. Don't only tell us what you like to do, but WHY. You might begin by describing how you spend your time, but also let us in on your own personal beliefs about some idea. What makes you who you are? What makes you think the way you do?
Of course, you can't say everything about yourself in this short amount of time, but do what you can to really give us an interesting description of who you are and why you're here in the Bridge program.
As a part of your English Studies course in Bridge, you will be required to post prompts and respond to promts here on our Bridge 2008 Blog.
The purpose of this work is to provide you with more opportunity to write, with more expereince with responding to ideas.
In this, your first Blog posting, I ask that you write an Introduction for yourself. You might begin with some basic demographic information--age, major, where you live, family members, etc.--but work toward a more complicated, complex, and complete presentation of yourself. Don't only tell us what you like to do, but WHY. You might begin by describing how you spend your time, but also let us in on your own personal beliefs about some idea. What makes you who you are? What makes you think the way you do?
Of course, you can't say everything about yourself in this short amount of time, but do what you can to really give us an interesting description of who you are and why you're here in the Bridge program.
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