This assignment
requires your
discussion group to lead a free-for-all discussion
on your assigned topic for about 30 minutes.
A.
Your group should
begin by meeting and picking one of the four general topic areas shown in
B. below (first come - first served). Once you have been assigned a
general topic, the group should discuss how you intend to approach the
mashup and what "sub-topic" each group member will focus on fdor the
mashup and the paper. The fun of this assignment comes from
individuals taking strong (maybe even fairly extreme) positions on an
issue. Feel free to play devil's advocate and embrace controversy.
B. By no
later than one week before your "mashup," each group member should email
to the entire group and the instructor a one or two paragraph description
rough description of the position he/she will take concerningyour sub
topic.
C. At the time of the "mash-up"
each member of the group should submit a 3 page essay
presenting his/her
position on the specifc sub-topic he/she has selected to talk about.
This paper should include at least three outside sources (in addition to
the Tedford text) with appropriate citations in MLA or APA format.
A.
Format of the "Mash-up."
- The Mash-up will begin
with each group member taking and presenting his/her position on
some element of the topic. This position statement should
last no longer than 3 minutes and should be developed
independently of others in the group. The statement will
reflect what the person believes should be "the way things ought
to work" regardless of what current law or practice is and why
the group member holds this position.
- Second, each group
member will have the opportunity to critique, refute or support
the positions of any other members.
- Third, the group as a
whole should attempt to find areas of common agreement or key
points of disagreement across the group.
- Lastly, the group will
open the floor to general discussion by the class - at least 10
minutes worth.
B.
Group General Topic Assignments and Dates.
-
4/17 -
Group
D --
What is the right balance (legal or ethical) between the
individual's responsibility for his/her own behavior and the
speaker's responsibility for influencing or "causing"
unacceptable conduct? In general public discussions of
political/policy issues, In the Media, By important government
officials doing official business, In campaigns, In news reporting, etc.
- 4/22 -
Group
A --
What are the correct standards for expression in the schools (K-12 and Higher Ed.)
and what freedoms on expression should be protected?
Protection of minorities/diversity, Civility in education,
Maintaining conformity to the academic mission, Private vs public, speakers
and viewpoints on campus, Student press rights, Dress codes, etc.
- 4/24 -
Group
C --
What should be the limits (or freedoms), legal and ethical, on the Use of Intellectual Property in
the New Media Age? File sharing in private or for profit,
Mixes/collages, Fair use/free
use, Government supported research. education and information, Cultural property and the commons
(our common heritage), etc.
- 4/29 -
Group
B
-- What controls (laws or technical restrictions) or ethics should exist to regulate the Internet
and other new media in terms of such issues as -- Privacy,
Reputation, Net neutrality, Spam/viruses and hackers, Protecting children,
Cyber-stalking, Government collection of data/spying on
citizens, etc.?
In EVALUATING your
group
mashup
I will consider
-
how thoughtful the sum of the individual opening statements are,
-
how original and provocative the opening statements are,
-
how well the members are able to respond to each other, and
-
how stimulating the conversation becomes for the whole class.
For each individual I will
record a final mashup grade based on an overall group grade, modified by
the quality and contribution of the individual in his/her opening
statements, interaction with the group and participation in the class
discussion.
Papers will be
graded on the quality of ideas discussed and the reasoning for your
specific position, clarity of thesis. quality of sources used, and
overall writing quality.
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