Link for podcast from "Revisionist History"

CLICK HERE for the link to Malcolm Gladwell's "Carlos Doesn't Remember" episode from his podcast Revisionist History.

Week of October 22-26

Monday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - 1.) Read pages 215-232 in The Assistant for tomorrow.  Be ready for a quiz.  2.) The Assistant final, short essay is due Wednesday.  If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment! 

Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - Finish The Assistant for tomorrow.  The Assistant final, short essay is also due tomorrow.  If you want some help from Mr. Lawler, set up an appointment! 

Wednesday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday.  In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too.  (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)

Thursday - Podcast from "Revisionist History."

Homework - 2nd blog post due Friday.  In addition, comment on a classmate's post by this date, too.  (Be sure to comment on a different classmate's post.)

Friday - Discuss podcast, intro to the unit 1 final assessment, and quarter 1 participation reflection.

Homework - Prewriting for Unit 1 final assessment due Monday.

"Red Brands" and "Blue Brands"

Should it matter whether or not you share your boss's politics?  This question (and others) are raised in a National Public Radio story from the other day (CLICK HERE to read or listen).  In the piece, the reporter describes CEO political activism and how it impacts the workplace.  Companies referred to in the piece include: Levi Jeans and Dick's Sporting Goods.  In short, the story explores what it's like to be in the workplace where leaders of a company take political positions on different issues.

But what caught my attention most is this quote from Melissa Harris, a marketing agent in Chicago: "I think increasingly you're going to see more 'red brands' and 'blue brands.'"  Harris goes on to explain that companies come to her firm asking for "provocative" language for grabbing more consumers' attention.  What I find so interesting (maybe even troubling) about this is that branding (clothes, cars, technology, maybe other products) seem to be carrying political brands in addition to their label.

Can anyone out there share an example of a product that seems to be a "red brand" or "blue brand"?  Does branding products tied to political parties divide our country even more?  Or should we have great respect for CEOs sharing their political views?

Week of October 15-19

Monday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Tuesday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Wednesday - Reading day.

Homework - Read pages 130-168 in The Assistant by Thursday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Thursday - Discuss pages 130-168.

Homework - Read pages 169-193 in The Assistant by tomorrow.  Be ready for a quiz.

Friday - Discuss pages 169-193.

Homework - Read pages 194-214 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.

YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH.  YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.

Week of October 8-12

Monday - No class.

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Tuesday - "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Wednesday - No class.

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday.  Be ready for a quiz.

Thursday - Finish "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by tomorrow.  Be ready for a quiz.

Friday - Discuss The Assistant.

Homework - Read pages 103-129 in The Assistant for Monday.  Be ready for a quiz.

YOUR 2ND BLOG POST OF THE FIRST QUARTER IS DUE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH.  YOU ALSO NEED TO COMMENT ON A DIFFERENT CLASSMATE'S 2ND BLOG POST BY THAT DATE, TOO.

Matthew Shepard and "The Laramie Project"

CLICK HERE for some helpful context on this tragic event we'll be exploring in the film we start soon.

Week of October 1-5

Monday - Discuss The Zoo Story.

Homework - 1.) Finish The Zoo Story for tomorrow and follow the reading guide.  Be ready to share in class.  2.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP!  

Tuesday - Finish The Zoo Story.

Homework - 1.) Purchase your copy of The Assistant from the bookstore ASAP!  2.) Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.

Wednesday - "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Your first blog post is due Thursday and your first comment on a classmate's blog post is also due Thursday.

Thursday - "The Laramie Project."

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th.  Be ready for a quiz.

Friday - No class.

Homework - Read pages 3-102 in The Assistant by Friday, October 12th.  Be ready for a quiz.