Thank You for a Great Class

Thank you for a great semester. I enjoyed it and I hope you did, too.

To those of you going on with me to ENGL 2, I'll see you in few weeks. To everyone else, don't be a stranger.

Have a great break!

-D

Week 18: Mon 12.16

Week 18: Mon 12.16
Sec. 16-

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. @ Flames (across from MLK Library)

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Week 17: THU 12.12

Week 17: THU 12.12
Sec. 6-

Time: 8:10 - 9:00 a.m. @ Whispers (behind the Hammer Theater)

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Upcoming:

Week 18: MON 12.16
Sec. 16-

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. @ Flames (across from MLK Library)

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Due: IMAGE MACRO (EXTRA CREDIT) —Fri 12.13 (Email to dhdelao@gmail.com by 7 pm)

Social Media News 12.4

• Backlash over Peloton's Christmas ad heats up (USA Today)
• 2019: The year Tumblr kicked porn (The Atlantic)
• Unfounded rumors of white vans being used to kidnap women spread across Facebook (CNN)
• Viral video of the week: British citizens can't believe the cost of  US health care (The Hill) 
• Mando and "Baby Yoda" fight over the radio (Mashable)   

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Upcoming:

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Week 17: THU 12.12
Sec. 6- 

Time: 8:10 - 9:00 a.m. @ Whispers (behind the Hammer Theater)

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. @ Flames (across from MLK Library)

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Due: IMAGE MACRO (EXTRA CREDIT) —Fri 12.13 (Email to dhdelao@gmail.com by 7 pm)

Social Media News 11.30

• It's the end of the world as we know it: "Perineum sunning" sweeps Instagram (CNET)
• TikTok under fire for its handling of anti-China user (ABC News)
• Tracy Ellis Ross' rules for posting on Instagram (Guardian)
• Coming soon on Fox: Nick Cannon’s Hit Viral Videos (Deadline) 
• Doctors take to TikTok to share health info with teens (CNBC)

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28 (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)

Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—"Memes Rule the Internet: Share If You Agree”

UPCOMING:

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Due: IMAGE MACRO FINAL DRAFT—Thu 12.5 (Email to dhdelao@gmail.com by 7 pm)*

*Note new due date

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 6- 

Week 17: THU 12.12  

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Extra Credit: "I Bet Nobody Will Share This Post"—Creating an Image Macro

As you know, a "meme" typically refers to an activity, concept, catchphrase, or piece of media which spreads "virally" via the Internet. We will focus on what is arguably the most popular form of meme today: the "image macro." An image macro is an illustration or photograph with text (typically in Impact font) superimposed onto it. For this extra credit assignment*, you will create and examine memes, specifically image macros, from three vantage points: you will dissect one, you will rehabilitate one, and you will create one.

*Worth up to 10 points

Part I: Anatomy of an Image Macro
You are first tasked with analyzing one of the following image macros:

A.

B.

C.

In you analysis, consider:

1. How would you describe the premise? 
2. What is the meme's intended effect? Does it achieve it?
3. What does the viewer have to be "in" on in order for the meme to succeed? What do you miss if you're not "in" on the joke?

Word count: 250 words

***

Part II:  Rehabilitating an Image Macro
For this section, you will choose a less successful image macro (of which there are many), and examine its shortcomings. In your review, explore the reasons the meme falls short. What was its likely original intent? How was it poorly executed? Is it logically sound? Most importantly, how would you improve it?

Note: Cut and paste your image macro into Part II of the document

Word count: 125 words

***

Part III: An Image Macro is Born
First, using one of the images below, you will create an original image macro. The goal is to successfully marry image and text into a succinct and effective message. Use one of the stock images below. Secondly, encapsulate your image macro in a short summary. Explain what your goal was and how image and text came together to execute your vision.

Notes: 1. Use traditional Impact font in your design.  2. Cut and paste your image macro into Part II of the document

Word count: 125 words

***

Written requirements:

• MLA Style 

Sources for image macros:

• KnowYourMeme  
• Cheezeburger
• Imgur  
• TheChive|Memes
• Memes.com
• Reddit/r/memes

Note: Many of these sites contain NSFW material

Due:

FINAL DRAFT—Fri 12.13 (Email to dhdelao@gmail.com by 7 pm)

Social Media News 11.20

• Baby Yoda wins the Internet (Time)
• Whale is Facebook's new meme-creating app (TheNextWeb)
• It's official: Boomers love Snapchat (FastCompany) 
• Mashups: iPhone group chats and TikToks (BusinessInsider)
• The League dating app pairs up users for two-minute live video dates (TheVerge)

Week 14: Tue11.19/Thu 11.21

Week 14: Tue11.19/Thu 11.21

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Upcoming:

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28 (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)

Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—"Memes Rule the Internet: Share If You Agree”

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Due: MEME (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 6- 

Week 17: THU 12.12  

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Social Media News 11.16

• Report: TikTok surpasses 1.5 billion downloads (CNET)
• 5.4 billion: The number of fake accounts Facebook is shutting down this year (CNN)
• Tinder comes to the aid of its trans users (BBC News)
• Influencers see their incomes soar (BBC News)
• Thai tourist dies taking selfie at waterfall (CBS News)

 

Week 13: Tue 11.12/Thu 11.14

Week 13: Tue 11.12/Thu 11.14

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (DRAFT 1; BRING 1 HARD COPY OR AN ELECTRONIC VERSION)

Upcoming:

Week 14: Tue11.19/Thu 11.21

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28 (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)

Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—"Memes Rule the Internet: Share If You Agree”

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Due: MEME (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 6- 

Week 17: THU 12.12  

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Infographic: So You've Been Publicly Shamed

As Jon Ronson illustrates in So You've Been Publicly Shamed, Internet "justice"—in the Twitterverse, in particular—can be swift, harsh, and unforgiving. Our lives can be easily be ruined if social media decides we are a villain. But unlike past generations that have utilized shaming as form of punishment, Internet shaming can follow an individual for the rest of their life.

For this assignment, you will create an infographic illustrating the public shaming of a person profiled in Ronson's book. Your goal is to visually tell his or her shaming story. Draw only from So You've Been Publicly Shamed for your central argument.

Infographics are most easily utilized in PowerPoint (or a comparable program). Additionally, if you are experienced in them, you may also use Photoshop or Illustrator.

This assignment will be delivered electronically.

A well-executed infographic will:

• Have a title that articulates the goal of the assignment
• Have a concise thesis as the subheading—important
• Have a concise controlling argument dictating the design
• Visually translate perspectives and facts in a clear and enlightening manner
• Stay within the parameters of public shaming on Twitter

Due:

• Thu 11.14: DRAFT 1; BRING 1 HARD COPY OR AN ELECTRONIC VERSION)
• Thu 11.21: FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Social Media News 11.6

• Here are the most shared fake news stories on Facebook in 2019 (BusinessInsider)
• Facebook's secrets exposed (BusinessInsider)
• FTC issues regulations for ads by Instagram influences (NPR)
• Twitter may be rethinking retweets (TheVerge)
• Yes, even Trader Joe's has influencers (Vox)

 

Week 12: Tue 11.5/Thu 11.7

Week 12: Tue 11.5/Thu 11.7

Read: SHAMED—7. Journey to a Shame-Free Paradise – 15. Your Speed

Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations

Due: REFLECTION 5

Upcoming:

Week 13: Tue 11.12/Thu 11.14

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (DRAFT 1; BRING 1 HARD COPY OR AN ELECTRONIC VERSION)

Week 14: Tue11.19/Thu 11.21

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28 (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)

Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—"Memes Rule the Internet: Share If You Agree”

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Due: MEME (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 6- 

Week 17: THU 12.12  

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Social Media News 11.2

• Rep. Katie Hill resigns over nude photos. Is this the new norm for Millennial politicians? (Daily Telegraph)
• Viral video of "Swing Set Susan" leads to arrest for impersonating a police officer (NBC News) 
• YouTube now bigger fro music videos than MTV ever was (Forbes)
• PewDiePie is first YouTuber to hit 102 million subscribers (Dexerto)
• "No joke, I need him eliminated as soon as possible": Teen is arrested after alleged remarks on Instagram (Buzzfeed)

Reflection 5: Infected—On Viral Videos

Viral videos—those videos that quickly gain popularity throughout the Internet are seemingly made for an era in which information is transmitted rapidly and social networks are the new water coolers. Sometimes entertaining, sometimes even annoying, these videos often take on a life of their own, even if their shelf life is short. Yet, for every "Gangnam Style" there are thousands of videos that no one ever pays any attention to. Why? What is it magic formula for a video going viral? And what of the stars of these videos? While many people were inadvertently (and regrettably) associated with viral videos, many others hope that they will catapult them to stardom. Have viral videos become a shortcut to fame? And are they a legitimate way to break into show business? Finally, what are some of your favorite viral videos and why?

Find at at least two relevant articles in include in your discussion.

Required:

• MLA Style
• Approximately 250 words
• Works cited page

Due: Thu 11.7

Week 11: Tue 10.29/Thu 10.31

Week 11: Tue 10.29/Thu 10.31
Read: SHAMED—4. God That was Awesome – 6. Doing Something Good; eR—“The 100 Best Infographics” (Creative Bloq), “10 Tips for Designing Better Infographics” (DotDash), “12 Warning Signs that Your Infographic Sucks” (Visme)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations

Upcoming:

Week 12: Tue 11.5/Thu 11.7

Read: SHAMED—7. Journey to a Shame-Free Paradise – 15. Your Speed

Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations

Due: REFLECTION 5

Week 13: Tue 11.12/Thu 11.14

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (DRAFT 1; BRING 1 HARD COPY OR AN ELECTRONIC VERSION)

Week 14: Tue11.19/Thu 11.21

Class: Multimedia presentations

Due: INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Week 15: Tue11.26/Thu 11.28 (NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)

Class: Multimedia presentations; Lecture—"Memes Rule the Internet: Share If You Agree”

Week 16: Tue 12.3/Thu 12.5 (LAST REGULAR CLASS MEETING)

Class: Course wrap-up

Due: MEME (FINAL DRAFT; EMAIL TO DHDELAO@GMAIL.COM BY 5 P.M.)

Final Exam Meeting Times:

Sec. 6- 

Week 17: THU 12.12  

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

Sec. 16- 

Week 18: MON 12.16

Time: 7:15 – 9:00 a.m., Location: TBA

Due: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ASSESSMENT (SUBMIT VIA CANVAS BY 5 P.M.)

 

Social Media News 10.23

• #WeLoveYouMeghan: The Duchess of Sussex sees online groundswell of support after showing signs of distress (Glamour)
• MLB umpire on Twitter: “I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020.” (Slate)
• Mark Zuckerberg gets grilled in Congress (CNN)
• Kik is revived at the 11th hour (Axios)
• Miley Cyrus and her nipples challenge Instagram (Cosmopolitan)

Week 10: Tue 10.22/Thu 10.24

Week 10: Tue 10.22/Thu 10.24
Read: SHAMED—1. Braveheart – 3. The Wilderness
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4

Upcoming:

Week 11: TUE 10.29/THU 10.31
Read: SHAMED—4. God That was Awesome – 6. Doing Something Good; eR—“The 100 Best Infographics” (Creative Bloq), “10 Tips for Designing Better Infographics” (DotDash), “12 Warning Signs that Your Infographic Sucks” (Visme)
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Writers workshop

Social Media News 10.16

• Donald Trump's attempt to Twitter shame Nancy Pelosi backfires (MarketWatch)
• Actress Gina Rodriguez under fire for use on the N-word (Yahoo! News)
• Dark Web child abuse sting nabs hundreds (BBC News)
• Is Facebook locking out users who report fake accounts and scammers? (Mashable)
• Jennifer Aniston's Instagram debut actually broke it (CNN)

 

Reflection 4: Deplorable—Combatting White Suprememcy on Social Media

Post-911, our country's national security apparatus has focused almost exclusively on foreign-based terror threats. However, in 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had been "galvanized ... to expand its counterterrorism mission focus beyond terrorists operating aboard." The domestic threat most concerning to DHS is white supremacy—the belief that Caucasians are racially superior and, therefore, should dominate society. Buoyed by a perceived ally in the White House, a loose configuration of, often violent, groups (including Neo-Nazis, white nationalists, incels, the KKK, MGTOWs, and others) have coalesced under the umbrella of the Alt-Right. Recently, these groups have also aggressively expanded via social media, which they have utilized to recruit mostly young, white males. In fact, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Discord, and other platforms have all struggled to contain racist, homophobic, and misogynistic content. Meanwhile, other sites, like 8chan and Gab, have openly embraced the Alt-Right’s racist ideology. Like Jihadists before them, today's white supremacists understand the power of these platforms to lure unsuspecting and vulnerable users to their cause. But what can be done? Is it possible to close social media as an avenue for hateful ideology? And how should children, particularly boys, be protected?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "How Gab Became a Haven for the Alt-Right" (Rolling Stone)
• "The Problem Isn't 8chan. It's Americans." (Buzzfeed)
• "White Supremacists are Trying to Recruit American Teens Through Video Games" (Vox)
• "How One Mom Talks to Her Sons About Hate on the Internet" (NPR)
• "To Protect and Slur" (Reveal News)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Approximately 500 words
• Works cited page

Due: Thu 10.24

Week 9: Tue 10.15/Thu 10.17

Week 9: Tue 10.15/Thu 10.17
Read: AMERICAN—Chapter Four: 16 - Conclusion
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY (MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH ANNOTATIONS)

Upcoming:

Week 10: Tue 10.22/Thu 10.24
Read: SHAMED—1. Braveheart – 3. The Wilderness
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4 

Expository Essay: Girls and Social Media

Nancy Jo Sales' American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers is a harrowing look into the social media landscape teenagers must navigate. Just like previous generations of Americans, today's young girls must contend with challenges ranging from peer pressure to self-esteem. Unlike previous generations of Americans, today's young girls must also contend with an increasingly sexualized and aggressive online culture. American teenage girls today are routinely encouraged to feel shame about their bodies, sexually exploit themselves, and even bully one another. In short, social media culture is openly hostile to young women. But what can be done to help them? What should teenage girls know about the dangers of social media?

In a concise expository essay, identify three distinct steps teenage girls can take to not only protect themselves from the harms of social media, but to empower themselves to become discerning users. Cite exclusively from American Girls to support your thesis.

Mechanics:

• 2-2.5 pages in length
• MLA Style
• Annotations*
• Works cited

*This essay must be annotated. Follow these guidelines: 1. Underline your thesis 2. In the right margins, explain what each paragraph is about in no more than four words 3. For each body paragraph, underline your best evidence 4. After your conclusion, briefly explain your process for this essay (in no more than 5-6 sentences)


Due:  Tue 10.22
 

Social Media News 10.8

• Woman claims potential employer shamed her over her social media photo (TheHill) 
• Iran's "Zombie Angelina" arrested for blasphemy (CNN)
• Senate report: Russia interfered with 2016 election specifically to help elect Trump (Politico)
• California goes after deepfakes (Engadget)
• How a pro-Hong Kong tweet rocked the Houston Rockets (CNN)

 

Week 8: Tue 10.8/Thu 10.10

Week 8: Tue 10.8/Thu 10.10
Read: AMERICAN—Chapter Two: 14 - Chapter Three: 15
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations

Upcoming:

Week 9: Tue 10.15/Thu 10.17
Read: AMERICAN—Chapter Four: 16 - Conclusion
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY (MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH ANNOTATIONS)

Social Media News 10.2

• Meet the famous teens of TikTok (Vox) 
• Mark Zuckerberg is afraid of an Elizabeth Warren presidency (CBS News)
• Social media use by the generations (weforums)
• The science says quitting Facebook makes you less depressed (DigitalTrends)
• Teen cyberbullied on Snapchat kills himself (WCVB-TV)

 

Week 7: Tue 10.1/Thu 10.3

Week 7: Tue 10.1/Thu 10.3 Read: AMERICAN—Introduction - Chapter One: 13 Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations
Due: REFLECTION 3

Upcoming:
Week 8: Tue 10.8/Thu 10.10
Read: AMERICAN—Chapter Two: 14 - Chapter Three: 15
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations