Monday, October 28, 2019

Week of October 28-November 1

Monday - Only period 3 meets this day.

Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant for tomorrow.  Be ready for a quiz.  

Tuesday - Discuss pages 130-168 in The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 169-193 in The Assistant by Thursday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Wednesday - Reading day.

Homework - Read pages 169-193 in The Assistant by Thursday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Thursday - Discuss pages 169-193 in The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 194-214 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Friday - Reading day.

Homework - Read pages 194-214 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.

NEXT CURRENT EVENTS BLOG POST IS DUE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11th.




Monday, October 21, 2019

Week of October 21-25

Monday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - Quiz on The Assistant tomorrow.

Tuesday - The Assistant quiz and reading day.

Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Friday  Be ready for a quiz.  

Wednesday - "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Friday  Be ready for a quiz.  

Thursday - "The Laramie Project" and final discussion.

Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Friday  Be ready for a quiz.  

Friday - Discuss pages 103-129 in The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant for Tuesday  Be ready for a quiz.  

Friday, October 18, 2019

YouTube Link to "The Laramie Project"

If you miss any days during our viewing of "The Laramie Project," CLICK HERE to get caught up.  We watch about 30 minutes per class period, by the way.

Friday, October 11, 2019

Week of October 14

Monday - Finish discussion of The Zoo Story.

Homework - 1.) First current events blog post is due Wednesday.  2.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP!

Tuesday - Finish discussion of The Zoo Story.

Homework - 1.) First current events blog post is due Wednesday.  2.) Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.  

Wednesday - Reading day.

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.  

Thursday - Introduction to The Assistant and start "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.  

Friday - "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.  

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

"Free Speech Is Killing Us"

If there's any value that Americans seem to hold onto most dearly, it's freedom of speech.  It's a right enshrined in our Constitution and many Americans held up as heroes are celebrated for their sharing of profound ideas through their speech.

But when can speech be dangerous?  For example, the "loner gunman who killed innocents was radicalized on-line" is a  depressing news story that seems to happen every 6 months or so -- if not sooner -- in our news cycle.  Stories like this raise the question, "Are there tools at our disposal today (social media platforms, in particular) that should be reigned in with regard to what kind of speech they allow?"

These are some of the questions Andrew Marantz explores in his editorial from this weekend's New York Times.  His article is titled, "Free Speech Is Killing Us," and this is one of the quotes that caught my eye: "I am not calling for repealing the First Amendment, or even for banning speech I find offensive on private platforms.  What I'm arguing against is paralysis.  We can protect unpopular speech from government interference while also admitting that unchecked speech can expose us to real risks.  And we can take steps to mitigate those risks."

Marantz then goes on to list some examples of what the government and private sector can do to mitigate the risks of what he calls "unchecked speech" (CLICK HERE if you'd like to read his editorial).

So here some questions to consider: should private social media companies feel a stronger urge to reign in offensive speech?  And what might a social media company deem as "offensive?"  How does one draw the line?  Finally, if any of you out there are in favor of government regulation of hate speech on social media platforms, what's your reasoning for this kind of action?


Friday, October 4, 2019

Week of October 7-11

Monday - Intro to "The Zoo Story."

Homework - 1.) Read pages 1-top of page 11 in "The Zoo Story" for tomorrow and respond to the prompt on the front of the packet.  Write your response (typed and double-spaced) and be ready to share and submit in class.  2.) First current events blog post is due October 16th.

Tuesday - Discuss first half of "The Zoo Story."

Homework - 1.) Finish "The Zoo Story" for Monday and respond to the prompt on the front of the packet.  Write your response (typed and double-spaced) and be ready to share and submit in class.  2.) First current events blog post is due October 16th.

Wednesday-Friday: NO SCHOOL.


First current events blog post is due October 16th!!