Here's your opportunity to suggest and create an extra credit assignment or two based on each of the books pictured above, Daniel Quinn's Ishmael and Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present.
Take a look at some of the other extra credit assignments posted on here. Do some research on what each of these books is about and how they either directly relate to this course to figure out some questions that could be answered in essay form.
You must suggest an extra credit assignment no later than 7 July and then we can discuss the finer details after. Get in touch with any questions as soon as possible.
“In the day we sweat it out in the streets of a runaway American dream”, from his song, “Born to Run”.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to go to obtain the Wings for Wheels DVD, which is on course reserve for in-library use only at the Beach campus, listed under my last name. Or you can rent or purchase it elsewhere.
Once you've obtained the DVD and viewed it at least once fully, write a response in the form of a formal essay. Do not summarize. I've seen this film more than a dozen times; there's not anything you can tell me about what happens in it that I don't remember.
Writing this essay, this argument, is about presenting new ideas.
In your critical response you should consider addressing one or several of these bullets: 1. How does the narrative of this documentary relate to what you've learned in the course? Write about specific lessons/ideas covered during class meetings or from your readings. 2. What did you learn from the film about yourself, creativity, writing? 3. Use specific details, painting a picture for your audience: What was the tone of the documentary, the mood, what were your feelings and thoughts? 4. What did the film make you think? 5. Critique the film--what was done well, what wasn't? 6. What other unique response can you give that I haven't directly prompted?
Word Count: 600+ words
Value: A possible 15 points, and an extra point of student posts on their blog (in which case you must email me a link to your post)
Submission: Responses accepted as blog posts or Google Doc for online only students. Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, etc. Treat it as any formal essay I assign. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs.
Any major formatting, spelling, or grammar errors will cause your essay to be invalid.
Due: 30 July 2011 -- though may be submitted earlier
“In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” -- Albert Schweitzer
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to write critically about your experience with any one of the following campus resources: 1. The Writing Center 2. The Tutor Lab 3. The Student Success Center 4. The Women's Center 5. Some specific part of the LRC in general, such as the reference desk 6. Other campus services may apply, so please inquire with me if they fit for this assignment
Once you've used one of these usually great services, write a critical response, in the form of a formal essay or a business letter. You will need to explain: 1. Which service you used 2. Why you sought this service 3. Ways was it helpful? 4. Ways it wasn't helpful 5. What might be done to improve the experience You can write it as a point-by-point essay, a narrative, a compare and contrast paper, etc.
Sample Essay: Enlightenment: One Student’s Experience at the Writing Center
Word Count: 500+ words
Value: Up to 10 points, and an extra point of student posts on their blog (in which case you must email me a link to your post)
Submission: Responses accepted as blog posts or Google Doc for online only students. Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, etc. Treat it as any formal essay I assign. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs.
Any major formatting, spelling, or grammar errors will cause your essay to be invalid.
“Criticism is always useful. When it's constructive it tells me about my work. When it's destructive it tells me about the critic.” – photographer Clayton Cubitt
Background: Similar to how you revise and rewrite your essays, I revise and re-imagine each course each semester, working to make course concepts, materials, and layout more accessible and understandable. Unfortunately I can only do so much on my own, having experienced this course only from the perspective of the one who designed it. What I need are fresh eyes to show me what they see. Since eye transplant surgery has not been perfected and I was writing metaphorically, I need you. You’re one key to your successors’ futures.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to write a formal essay in which you suggest and explain some constructive criticism: 1. which assignments you like or did not enjoy and answer why 2. new ways to organize the course materials and why you make this suggestion 3. suggest new technological tools or methods for course delivery and of course, answer why 4. explain how your experience in this class compares to other online courses regarding assignments, instructor feedback, how materials are delivered/presented, and anything else related to these contrasting courses If you have so much to say that you can make each of these numbered points into its own 500+ word essay, contact me and I’ll consider allowing you to turn in up to four essays.
Caveats: 1. Like any good critique, it should be honest and balanced, addressing the positive as well as what can be improved 2. you won’t use “I” or even you/we/us/our excessively--don’t assume your classmates had the same experiences and thoughts you did
Word Count: 500+ words
Value: Up to 10 points, and an extra point of student posts on their blog (in which case you must email me a link to your post)
Submission: Responses accepted as blog posts or Google Doc for online only students. Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, etc. Treat it as any formal essay I assign. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs.
Any major formatting, spelling, or grammar errors will cause your essay to be invalid and worth nothing.
Background: Some of you, when you graduate, will be free to choose your paths in life. Some of you will have unbearable loans to repay. Some will have new responsibilities. Some of you will still have children to raise or parents or other former guardians to take care of in sickness and in health. Regardless, this is an assignment of imagination and possibilities. This is your future as it could be if you made it happen.
In this future you may connect with humanity in a way you never have before. You can explore the world on your own or you can immerse yourself in the collective breath of your brothers and sisters. It's your choice. What will you have?
I highly recommend you travel when your degree has been completed. Or, if you can, travelwhile working on this degree. I know some of you have barely had a chance to leave the safety of theShire (you call it home), so change that. The world is a puzzle waiting to be solved. The question is, how will you solve it?
Will it be through travel alone, like William Least Heat Moon did in his autobiographical Blue Highways? Or will you, as a college student, become a citizen of the Road Trip Nation?
Maybe will you remove yourself from Mother Culture and every one of its absurdities and go... Into the Wild, like Jon Krakaue? View the movie trailer here.
Will you help your fellow humans through some service related organization?
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to write about what your ideal plan for L.A.D. While composing this assignment you will:
Be creative
Perform research and use it to support your ideas, while citing your research
Be specific; say exactly what you mean
Not over use the word “I” you narccisist
Explain what, where, who, why, and when all this is going to happen
Write this assignment seriously
Be specific; say precisely what you mean
Explain who it is you want to become
Learn a bit about yourself
Word Count: 900+ words
Value: Up to 20 points, and an extra point of student posts on their blog (in which case you must email me a link to your post)
Submission: Responses accepted as blog posts or Google Doc for online only students. Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, etc. Treat it as any formal essay I assign. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs.
Any major formatting, spelling, or grammar errors will cause your essay to be invalid.
Recommendation: Arthur C. Clarke and legendary director Stanley Kubrick worked closely together while making the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The novel was written in tandem with the film’s making and expands upon some of the ideas presented in the film. Watch the opening of the film before beginning the first part of the book; it might help you decipher the book.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to read the first section of Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey, "Primeval Night", about 35 pages.
Once you've read this, write a response, in the form of a formal essay. Do not summarize. I've read almost a dozen times; there's not anything you can tell me about what happens in it that I don't remember. This assignment is about presenting something new to the reader who has already read this work.
Criteria: What you need to answer, while giving evidence from the text and from your classroom experiences is this:
How does this relate to English 111 or 112?
Consider why I would ask you to read and write about this. How does it relate to teaching, learning, students, instructors, classroom mysteries, etc.?
Use at least three direct quotations, properly cited, to support your analysis.
If you need help, contact me or visit the Writing Center.
Suggestion: Use the Writing Center handouts on Character Development and Literary Analysis. There is also this How to Read Literature Handout. These may very well help you figure out what is going on in the story and why it is happening.
Also review your textbook chapters on analyzing literature.
Word Count: 600+ words
Value: A possible 15 points, and an extra point of student posts on their blog (in which case you must email me a link to your post)
Submission: Responses accepted as blog posts or Google Doc for online only students. Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, etc. Treat it as any formal essay I assign. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs.
Any major formatting, spelling, or grammar errors will cause your essay to be invalid.
I like my students cultured, even if I have to entice them with extra credit. Now please read on and become part of the rest of the world.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at TCC
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Wednesday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Creative writing professor and translator Carolina DeRobertis, author of best-selling novel The Invisible Mountain, published in 16 countries and 12 languages, will present the college-wide keynote address followed by a reception.
TCC Advanced Technology Center, Virginia Beach Campus
You can earn up to 30 extra points total, ten each for different kind of event you attend, up to three events. My suggestions:
The Keynote Address
Motorcycle Diaries (¡Viva la Revolucion!)
Frida Kahlo exhibit
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to attend up to three events and for each event attended write a response in which you try to persuade your audience if they should also attend the event if it were to be given again. Keep summary to a minimum.
Consider addressing at least one or several of these bullets:
Use specific details, painting a picture for your audience: What was the tone of the presentation, the mood, what were the audiences' responses?
How did the speakers/art/film make you feel?
What did it make you think?
What did you learn?
Praise it or critique it, or both.
What did you like most and/or least?
What does it tell us about how we construct identity and/or culture?
What other unique response can you give?
I suggest taking some notes and I also suggest sticking around for any question and answer sessions as they can be very informative and maybe there is free food. Word Count: 400+ words each, but make sure you've got a complete essay in the end, therefore if it needs to be longer, make it longer. ¿Comprende?
Value: 10 points possible for each event
Due Date: 20 October 2010 for all responses.
Submission: Responses accepted as Google Doc or blog posts:
Google Docs responses must be in MLA format, proofread, spell checked, etc. Good writing, you know?
Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs, proofread, spell checked, etc. Good writing, you know? Any student who creates and posts on a blog must send me their main blog address, to which I will link from my blog here.
This assignment is one that my Composition II students have been prepared for, but Comp I students can give this a shot.
Use the “How to Watch a Film” worksheet to guide you in your analysis and interpretation of the symbols. I'm going to tell you that if you write about "love" you will not receive any credit. Again, the visual symbolism will be incredibly important to look at here.
Requirements:
Write a 600—1200 word MLA formatted analysis and response to what you think the movie Cloverfield is really about. Consider what the imagery reminds you of from the news and history and how the Cloverfield monster resembles another film monster that was created as a reaction to another historical event that took place on the opposite side of the planet from us Americans.
Make sure your response includes direct references (evidence) to the film and American (and maybe Japanese) history support for your argument (analysis/interpretation).
Excessive grammatical and punctuation errors will cause me to stop reading your essay and you will then receive no credit.
Once you’ve written your analysis, print it and bring it to me or my mailbox or post it on your blog and email me with a link to the specific post(s) about each comic book. Again, do not send me the link to your blog, but the specific address of the post. Students in online courses may submit via email or Google Docs.
Submission: Responses accepted as hard copy or blog posts (Google Docs for online only students). Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, stapled, etc. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs and students will need to email me a link to their post.
Potential Points to Earn: 10 points for each piece of writing. You can write an analysis of up to three different comics from this year's selection.
Due Date:Extended to 7 May 2010
Don't forget to click on the "Extra Credit" label below to see other current and past extra credit opportunities.
Saturday 1 May 2010 is Free Comic Book Day. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a participating comic book store and obtain any one, or several, of this year’s free comic books.
Here comes the reading and writing part. In 600-1200 words in MLA format, you will rhetorically analyze the comic book (text) of your choosing. Remember, author, audience, purpose, rhetorical purpose, and rhetorical appeals used by the writer and artist (penciller), since comic books consist of both images and copy (see your notes and Visual Rhetoric PowerPoint if needed). Feel free to use the internet to find out more about your author. Remember to be as specific as possible when explaining your analysis (someone who likes The Simpsons might not like Japanese comics (Manga), for example, so be very specific), especially because comics are a written and drawn medium. Remember, you need to use evidence from the comic book itself to support your analysis. Excessive grammatical and punctuation errors will cause me to stop reading your essay and you will then receive no credit.
Once you’ve written your analysis, print it and bring it to me or my mailbox or post it on your blog and email me with a link to the specific post(s) about each comic book. Again, do not send me the link to your blog, but the specific address of the post. Students in online courses may submit via email or Google Docs.
Submission: Responses accepted as hard copy or blog posts (Google Docs for online only students). Non-blog responses must be in MLA format, stapled, etc. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs and students will need to email me a link to their post.
Potential Points to Earn: 10 points for each piece of writing. You can write an analysis of up to three different comics from this year's selection.
Due Date:5 May 2010
Don't forget to click on the "Extra Credit" label below to see other current and past extra credit opportunities.
keynote event Address by Kay Ryan, U.S. Poet Laureate Monday, April 5 · 7 p.m. TCC Roper Performing Arts Center Norfolk Campus Reception and book signing following
Performance Poetry by Taylor Mali Tuesday, April 6 • 7 p.m. TCC Roper Performing Arts Center Norfolk Campus
Campus Readings by Students and Faculty Tuesday, April 6 • 12:30 p.m. Building A, The Forum NEW Portsmouth Campus
Campus Readings by Students and Faculty Tuesday, April 6 • 12:30 p.m. Martin Building, Room 2505 Norfolk Campus
Campus Readings by Students and Faculty Tuesday, April 6 • 12:30 p.m. Room F-133 Virginia Beach Campus
Readings by Charles Wright Wednesday, April 7 • 7 p.m. Whitehurst Building, Room 2057 Chesapeake Campus
Campus Readings by Students and Faculty Wednesday, April 7 • 2:00 p.m. Pass Building, Studio Theatre, Room 157 Chesapeake Campus
An Evening with Nikki Giovanni Thursday, April 8 • 12:30 p.m. Advanced Technology Center Virginia Beach Campus
Thursday, April 8 • 7 p.m. Building A, The Forum NEW Portsmouth Campus
Free and open to the public
And now the extra credit for my students:
You can earn up to 50 extra points, ten each for the main speakers, and ten if you attend and write about the student readings.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to attend any or all of the speakers' presentations and then for each presentation attended and viewed write a response in which you should consider addressing at least one or several of these bullets:
Do not summarize.
Use specific details, painting a picture for your audience: What was the tone of the presentation, the mood, what were the audiences' responses?
How did the speakers make you feel?
What did it make you think?
What did you learn?
Praise it or critique it, or both.
What did you like most and/or least?
What does it tell us about how we construct identity and/or culture?
What other unique response can you give?
I suggest taking some notes and I also suggest sticking around for any question and answer sessions as they can be very informative. Word Count: 300+ words each
Value: 10 points each, and an extra point of student posts on their blog
Due Date: 14 April 2010 for all responses. Responses accepted as hard copy or blog posts. Hard copy responses must be in MLA format, stapled, etc. Blog posts should have spaces between paragraphs. Any student who creates and posts on a blog must send me their main blog address, to which I will link from my blog here.
From the desk of (but slightly modified by me) the Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs:
Tidewater Community College will host the 17th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film at the Roper Performing Arts Center beginning on Saturday, January 23rd, and running through January 31st. TCC and the Marilyn and Marvin Simon Jewish Community Center are proud to once again bring this rich cultural tradition to the Hampton Roads community.
With each passing year, the festival has grown and matured, providing a cinematic feast and cultural celebration. The eight-day festival will feature a wide variety of films, appealing to a cross-section of tastes and viewpoints - from the opening night presentation of A Matter of Size (Israel, 2009) in Hebrew with English subtitles, to Eyes Wide Open (2009) in Hebrew with English subtitles, running January 31st. The film Zrubavel, to be shown on Tuesday, January 26th, will be followed by a panel discussion involving TCC students. This unique film features a poignant look at a multi-generational family of Ethiopian immigrants and the challenges that they face assimilating into their new Israeli homeland. The conflict of the younger generation trying to fit in while their elders try to hold on to their native customs introduces the viewer to this ethnic group and their struggle to adjust. Zrubavel is the first feature length film created by Ethiopian-Israeli film makers.
The film festival is free to all TCC employees and students with a valid ID card. I encourage you to enjoy as much of the Festival as you can and to support our TCC students by attending the showing of Zrubavel on January 26.
And now your instructor speaks...er...writes:
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to complete it, requires you to see any or all of the films and then for each film attended and viewed write a response in which you should consider addressing several of these bullets:
What does it tell us about religion, politics, and borders?
What does it tell us about what we consider to be acceptable in society?
What does it tell us about how we construct identity and/or culture?
What does it tell us about...
Every response must:
Respond to the end of the film as well, so I know you attended the entire film.
Do not summarize. Again, don't tell your audience what the movie is about. Assume they've just watched it themselves.
I suggest sticking around for any question and answer sessions as they can be very informative and maybe there will be finger foods. Word Count: 500+ words each
Value: 10 points each
Due Date: The week of 10 February 2010 for all responses. Must be printed and stapled for traditional and hybrid courses and should be emailed for online students.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to do it, requires you to see the film and then write a blog post in which you should consider addressing several of these bullets:
Brainstorming: Have you ever been interested in reading or self-publishing alternative and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) magazines and comics (or comix)?
Requirements: Attend the Richmond Zine Fest and write about your experience in great detail.
Purchase a few zines or comix or see if there are any free ones. Read them respond.
Remember to give specific reasons for your thoughts or feelings. Take notes as you attend this event. Without including specific details, your thoughts are not as meaningful as they could be.
Word Count: 500+ words
Value: 25 points
Due Date: Blog your response and email me the link to that specific response by midnight Monday 16 November 2009.
Brainstorming: How do depictions of women in Hip Hop inform our interactions with, attitudes about, and opinions of women?
This Thursday, 29 October 2009 from 4:30-7:00 pm is the screening of the Bitches Scene & Women Unseen: Hip Hop & Gender in the 21st Centurydocumentary, followed by a panel discussion featuring Maori Karmael Holmes, Ursula Rucker, and Lucy Bell.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to do it, requires you to attend the film and discussion and then write a blog response in which you should consider addressing several of these bullets:
* Praise it or critique it, or both. * How did it make you feel? * What did it make you think? * How does it relate to knowledge you already have? * Has it changed your mind about anything? * What arguments did were made? * How well were the arguments made? * Do not summarize; that's why we have Internet Movie Database (IMDB).
Remember to give specific reasons for your thoughts or feelings. Take notes as you attend this event. Without including specific details, your thoughts are not as meaningful as they could be.
Word Count: 300+ words
Value: 10 points.
UPDATE: Due Date: Blog your response and email me the link to that specific response by 1 December 2009.
Requirements: Your extra credit assignment, should you choose to do it, requires you to see the film and then write a blog response in which you should consider addressing several of these bullets:
Extra Credit: For 10 points extra credit choose a banned book, read it, and write and post a 500 or more-word response to why you think this book was banned (think historical, cultural, etc. context) and why you believe it should not be banned.
Blog your response and email me the link to that specific response by 1 December 2009.
Your next Extra Credit Opportunity for 10 points is this:
On Thursday September 24th in the Pungo Auditorium at 12:30 pm is "Praising Our Hispanic American Cultural Patchwork" presentation by Dr. Gabriela Christie Toletti.
Attend this event and then create a new blog post and write 300-500 words on your reaction and response to Dr. Toletti's presentation. Do not summarize, but think and react to what she's presented. Again, do not summarize. Respond. I want your beautiful thoughts!
Blog your response and email me the link to that specific response by 15 October 2009.
Learn more about how TCC is celebrating on this page where I got the image.
