Unit Four Short Response

Two to three thoughtful paragpraphs
Feel free to add links, pictures, and videos
Comment on at least two classmates' short responses

We've talked about college, "stuff," and philanthropy. These three topics have more in common than one may think at first. For each topic, the concept of privilege is inescapable.

One definition of privilege is

a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most: the privileges of the very rich. (dictionary.com)

For your fourth papers, you are writing about people we may consider "underpriveleged." But what about people who are highly privileged?

What does it mean to be privileged? How does privilege manifest itself in daily life or in the world?

Can you post a picture or link that you believe exhibits or defines privilege?

Short Response 3: Stuff

Two to three thoughtful paragraphs
Please respond to at least three classmates' blogs.

Now that you have watched "The Story of Stuff," "Less Stuff, More Happiness," and Jacqueline Nordquest's videos, think about the role of stuff inf your own life. What is one type of stuff you have a lot of? This item may be nonperishable, like an ipod, or it may be perishable, like a food item.

"The Story of Stuff" discusses the way stuff is created, used, and discarded. How do you think your stuff is created? How do you use it? How is it discarded?

"Less Stuff, More Happiness" suggests that we could make do with a lot less stuff. Do you think you could do without or with less of your stuff? Why or how?

The Nordquest video suggests that those with a lot of stuff can help those with less stuff. Do you think your item is easy to obtain anywhere in the world? Is your item a want or a need? Think about the way your use or decreased use of this item may help others.

Post a picture, video, and/or link to your stuff for readers to visualize.

Short Response Two: College

Two to three thoughtful paragraphs, feel free to include pictures, videos, and links. Post to your blogger account.

Post before September 18th
Read and comment on at least three of your classmates' blogs.

Vincent Tinto discusses transitioning to college as earning a “rite of passage.” The key to successful college life, he believes, is for students to become full-fledged college students and by identifying themselves, first and foremost, as a college student.

This is a multistage process that involves separation (leaving one's normal life or routine), transition (learning a new way of life), and incorporation (making that way of life your own) (p. 93).

Choose one or more of these three stages and write about a specific experience you have had in college that you think exhibits one of these stages. This may be about a current or past experience. You may choose to write about a successful transitional experience or an experience that led to an early failure in transitioning. Remember that Tinto believes transitioning is a socialization process rather than a sign of one’s intelligence.

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Here's a link to my alma mater, Ursinus College, and to Brookdale Community College, where I took classes towards my degree. I've also posted a picture of me looking young and tired at graduation.

http://www.ursinus.edu/netcommunity

http://www.brookdalecc.edu/pages/1.asp

English 101 Honors Fall 2012 Short Response One Prompt

I. Short Response One

Must post before the start of class on Tuesday, September 4th

Write a two to three paragraph posting about your first and last name. Reflect upon several of these possible topics.

You may have to interview family members and/or visit behindthename.com for complete details.

1. Do you like your name?
2. Does your first name carry any special meaning to your family or you?
3. Who named you?
4. Do you have a nickname?
5. What is the origin of your last name?
6. Was your last name ever changed at some point during your family history?

Remember to post your short response to your blogger blog. Feel free to use links, pictures, or video postings as well.