Week 2: Writing
Summary: Professor Jerry LaLonde, Classics, guest lectures on the development of writing.
Goals:
- Consider the development of an ancient technology that has had profound effects on human culture.
- Revisit our definition of technology.
Looking ahead:
Monday, January 26: Writing (1)
Guest lecturer: Jerry LaLonde, Classics
No reading.
Due:
- Each
study team should establish a regular time when you can meet. Post to
your study team blog either a report of your first meeting (if you have
already met) or the date, time, and location for which your first
meeting is planned (if you have not yet met).
Monday, January 26, 5:30 p.m.: Rough draft 1 due
Submit a short essay (rough draft) responding to one of the following
prompts. Be sure to review the guidelines for essays.
- Attempt to carefully define the term technology.
What is included in your definition? What is excluded? Draw upon last
week's readings or other sources to support your definition.
- Write
a story. Place your story in the context of this course by relating it
to a quotation or paraphrase from one of last week's readings.
- How did you learn to use some particular technology? (For example, I could write about learning to ride a bike last spring.)
- How has the adoption of a new technology changed your interactions with others?
- What have you invented? What motivated you?
- How has technology gotten revenge on you?
- Argue for or against Joy's position regarding the future of technology.
Consider framing your response as a letter to the editor of Wired. (Because I am asking you to write a relatively short essay, you may need to focus on just one of Joy's points.)
To
submit your essay, please place it in the folder outside my door. Feel
free to drop in and chat if I am available and you would like to talk
with me about your essay.
Wednesday, January 28: Writing (2)
Guest lecturer: Jerry LaLonde, Classics
Read handout from Monday.
Friday, January 30: Discussion of Writing (Team 1)
Study team 1 leads a discussion about the development of writing.
Janet
Davis (davisjan@cs.grinnell.edu)
Created January 18, 2009
Last revised January 27, 2009