Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sample Week One

Let's say your topic in contemporary women's issues was Women and the 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Here's an example of what you might post during week one for your topic:

Check out Sarah Palin's position on abortion here:

[Insert 75-100 word comment on these quotes]

You can read more about Palin and her stance on the issues at http://www.ontheissues.org/Sarah_Palin.htm.

SNL video that's got everyone talking:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/34465/saturday-night-live-palin--hillary-open

[Insert 75-100 word comment on this video]

This link contains several other links to articles discussing the impact of gender on the Clinton campaign:
http://womensissues.about.com/od/hillaryclinton/p/SexismHillary.htm
[Insert 75-100 word summary of these links and their usefullness]

Contemp. Issues Blog Evaluation Criteria

Your contemporary issues blog will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Posted Content (30%)
Each week, you must post at least 3 new items or links on your blog. These items must connect directly to your contemporary issue and add in some way to an understanding of the issue/the arguments surrounding it/approaches to responding to the issue.

2. Content Reviews/Reflections (30%)
Each week, you must also provide 75 to 100-word reviews/reflections on at least 3 of the items you post (if you post more than 3 items, you do not have to provide a review or reflection of those additional posts).

3. Comments on others' blogs (30%)
Each week, you must also provide a 100-word or more comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs. These comments can either respond to their posted items or to their issue in general.

4. Presentation/style (10%)
To help maintain a level of professionalism and academic standards, be sure to carefully proofread and edit your blogs. That doesn't mean that you can't incorporate your personality into your blog--this is your space, so speak up and out in your own voice, in your own words. But don't be sloppy or lazy.

Compare the voices in these two blogs, for example:

http://www.theluckynest.com/ (this voice is conversational and personal, but still creative and smart).

http://red.blogs.aol.com/rtbear6/writing_is_my_life_but_ill_settle_for_cheesepuffs/ (nothing wrong per se, but probably a little too relaxed).

Try to strike a balance, yeah?



Here are some links to other blogs you might find interesting/inspiring:

http://www.wimnonline.org/WIMNsVoicesBlog/
Note how this blog has a mix of links and articles from other sites, as well as reflections from the bloggers themselves.

http://www.ourbodiesourblog.org/
Women's health news

http://www.vivalafeminista.com/
Check out the description of this blogger. How would you describe yourself?

http://girldrive.blogspot.com/2008/01/project.html
An inspiration, for sure :).