Introduction and Critical Analysis Project Planning for the Week

Question 1: Discuss your major, hobbies, and areas of interest.

For the initial post of this week's discussion board , please post an Introduction. Tell us about yourself! If there is a nickname that you prefer to be called, now is the time to let everyone know. Here are a few topics to cover in your introduction.

What is your major? Do you have any hobbies or areas of interest? Anything about yourself that you'd like to share? Please note your time zone.

Describe the organization strategies you will be using this term. Do you use a planner or calendar? When do you plan to work on this course each week? Do you have a personal computer where you can keep all of your coursework?

In addition, consider what you would like to research for the Critical Analysis Project, and brainstorm a range of possible artifacts that would lead to that research in that area. This is a process called reverse-engineering, which means that you figure out how to begin a project by thinking of where you would like the project to end up.

What topics would you like to research? For example, you might research something related to your major, or something that is important to you. You will be writing about your artifact and a related topic for six weeks, so choose a topic that fascinates you!

What artifacts can you think of related to your areas of interest? Please choose artifacts that are web-accessible. A 1-5 minute film or commercial, an image, or an article can all make good artifacts. Please post a few links to artifacts that you might analyze.

Do you have any questions about the Critical Analysis Project? For your responses to your peers (due Sunday), you might view some of the possible artifacts that students have posted and offer your own insights. You also might post ideas for other possible artifacts that would lead to related research. To make it clear who you are responding to, briefly greet the individual you are responding to. For example, "Hi Alfred, I am intrigued by your special theory of relativity."

How will you grade this discussion?

Put thought and effort into completing the task. Spell and punctuate correctly.• Use paragraphs (i.e. don't write one big chunk of text).

As a general rule, your initial post should do the following Initial posts should be about 300 words in length; this is roughly the equivalent to one typed page, double-spaced. These posts should be thoughtful and contribute to the class, exchanging ideas, helping one another, and thinking through fascinating and complex issues.

1. Effective posts demonstrate that a student has completed the required reading and can apply their understanding of the concepts covered.

2. The student invested time and effort to consider carefully and craft thoughtful posts.

Each response should be roughly about 100 words in length. Examples of effective responses: offering specific examples of the topic at hand, asking a question, answering a question, showing how the ideas connect to class concepts or other relevant events, etc.

Students should strive to answer someone's initial post who does not have responses yet; if your response is the fifth to the same student, you might do better to respond to a student with less replies.