Freewrite:
"In a national broadcast exclusive, we speak with Thomas Tamm, the former U.S. Justice Department attorney who helped expose the Bush administration’s domestic warrantless eavesdropping program that intercepted private email messages and phone calls of U.S. residents without a court warrant. On Tuesday, news broke that the Justice Department dropped its long-running criminal investigation of Tamm. The relatively quiet end to the investigation into Tamm’s warrantless wiretapping leak marks a sharp contrast to the controversy his information generated during the second half of the Bush administration about whether the government had overstepped its legal authority in response to the 9/11 terror attacks." See http://www.democracynow.org/2011/4/28/doj_drops_probe_of_whistleblower_who
What is the argument here? What are its implications re: privacy? What type of claim is it: policy, value, fact?
Give your thoughts on the issue. Is it moral or ethical to spy on citizens? When is this plausible, if ever?
2. Classical essay presentations.
3. The Toulmin essay form.
4. Homework.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Freewrite
Develop a character profile on Robert King. What do we know about him and how does his person proof the thesis of the book?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
3 Black Panthers & the Last Slave Plantation
We watched part of the video: 3 Black Panthers & the Last Slave Plantation.
This feature length documentary film Angola 3: Black Panthers and the Last Slave Plantation "tells the story of three former members of the Black Panther Party incarcerated in the Angola Louisiana State Prison known as the Angola 3 . We will focus on the issues that have surrounded and clouded their cases since the 70s. In addition our film explores the political climate of the 60s and 70s that produced “political” prisoners in America. By presenting a meticulously researched portrait of these men, their circumstances as well as the context of the times, we want to encourage viewers to think critically about history, racism, the prison system and to actively engage in making changes"
(from the website: Visit http://3blackpanthers.org/)
The film is narrated by Mumia Abu Jamal, an award winning journalist who is on death row in Philadelphia in 1982 (Visit http://www.prisonradio.org/mumia.htm)
I show you the film to give you a bit of background and set up for the memoir, From the Bottom of the Heap, which I asking you to read during the Spring recess.
We will use this book as the topic of the Toulmin essay. As you read, think about the following terms: prison, poverty, criminal, government surveillance, political prisoner and prisoner of war, human rights, institutional racism, resistance, Black Panther Party, resistance and its consequences, Angola State Prison, Louisiana, southern cultural, slavery, COINTELPRO, legality vs. morality, human rights vs. civil rights and so on.
Is there a relationship between imprisonment and enslavement? Is there a connection between justice and race? Is there a connection between the government and who gets prosecuted and for what?
Think once again about your thesis in the classical essay and how it applies in this case with these examples.
This feature length documentary film Angola 3: Black Panthers and the Last Slave Plantation "tells the story of three former members of the Black Panther Party incarcerated in the Angola Louisiana State Prison known as the Angola 3 . We will focus on the issues that have surrounded and clouded their cases since the 70s. In addition our film explores the political climate of the 60s and 70s that produced “political” prisoners in America. By presenting a meticulously researched portrait of these men, their circumstances as well as the context of the times, we want to encourage viewers to think critically about history, racism, the prison system and to actively engage in making changes"
(from the website: Visit http://3blackpanthers.org/)
The film is narrated by Mumia Abu Jamal, an award winning journalist who is on death row in Philadelphia in 1982 (Visit http://www.prisonradio.org/mumia.htm)
I show you the film to give you a bit of background and set up for the memoir, From the Bottom of the Heap, which I asking you to read during the Spring recess.
We will use this book as the topic of the Toulmin essay. As you read, think about the following terms: prison, poverty, criminal, government surveillance, political prisoner and prisoner of war, human rights, institutional racism, resistance, Black Panther Party, resistance and its consequences, Angola State Prison, Louisiana, southern cultural, slavery, COINTELPRO, legality vs. morality, human rights vs. civil rights and so on.
Is there a relationship between imprisonment and enslavement? Is there a connection between justice and race? Is there a connection between the government and who gets prosecuted and for what?
Think once again about your thesis in the classical essay and how it applies in this case with these examples.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Cyber-Assignment
Today we will continue with the Classical essay. The freewrite is to use the article I gave students last week, which you outlined in groups to write a classical argument.
The question is: Is imprisonment ever justified given Francisco Carillo's story (see "LA Man Freed After Wrongful Conviction"). Is as Angela Davis, prison abolisionist and scholar's statement: "Prisons are obsolete" true?
2. TKW
3. WLTC -- drawing or illustrating arguments
4. Homework
5. Robert King's Book: From the Bottom of the Heap
6. Peer Review of Classical Essay
The question is: Is imprisonment ever justified given Francisco Carillo's story (see "LA Man Freed After Wrongful Conviction"). Is as Angela Davis, prison abolisionist and scholar's statement: "Prisons are obsolete" true?
2. TKW
3. WLTC -- drawing or illustrating arguments
4. Homework
5. Robert King's Book: From the Bottom of the Heap
6. Peer Review of Classical Essay
Thursday, April 7, 2011
First Argument of Three Series
Using the classical model or argument, write an essay defending or challenging the value or usefulness of an existing law, policy or program, such as slavery as depicted in The Known World. Bring in your notes, an Initial Planning Sheet and the outline for the Classical Argument.
How is slavery both moral and legal? For whom is it such?
The essay should follow the outline/flowchart precisely. The argument will probably be about 250-500 words (1-2 pages). The three part thesis will work here as well; do not forget to use topics: definitions, analogies, consequences, and testimony.
Due Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Bring in a paper copy.
The Classical model of argument dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, and it is still sued. In effect, the Classical model presents a template, a preestablished structure for framing an argument. It includes three elements:
1.An introduction which presents the claim to be argued and gives necessary background information.
2.A body of collected data or evidence and appeals, which together attempt to persuade the audience that the claim is convincing, and acknowledgement and refutation of challenging views.
3. "A conclusion, which may summarize key points, reflect on implications and consequences, or make recommendations (if appropriate). In addition, the content of an argument was generated by modes of thought or topics, which definition, comparison, temporal/causal connection, circumstance, and testimony
"Argument in the ancient world was conducted mainly through oratory, the art of speechmaking. Training for a profession in which through argument was part of the job included being trained in the rhetorical strategies needed for giving speeches in that profession. Hence, aspiring politicians were trained in deliberative oratory, aspiring lawyers in forensic oratory. Everyone involved in public life was probably trained in celebratory oratory, which was used for honoring individuals and events" (from The Well-Crafted Argument A Guide and a Reader Third Ed. 109-110)
How is slavery both moral and legal? For whom is it such?
The essay should follow the outline/flowchart precisely. The argument will probably be about 250-500 words (1-2 pages). The three part thesis will work here as well; do not forget to use topics: definitions, analogies, consequences, and testimony.
Due Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Bring in a paper copy.
The Classical model of argument dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, and it is still sued. In effect, the Classical model presents a template, a preestablished structure for framing an argument. It includes three elements:
1.An introduction which presents the claim to be argued and gives necessary background information.
2.A body of collected data or evidence and appeals, which together attempt to persuade the audience that the claim is convincing, and acknowledgement and refutation of challenging views.
3. "A conclusion, which may summarize key points, reflect on implications and consequences, or make recommendations (if appropriate). In addition, the content of an argument was generated by modes of thought or topics, which definition, comparison, temporal/causal connection, circumstance, and testimony
"Argument in the ancient world was conducted mainly through oratory, the art of speechmaking. Training for a profession in which through argument was part of the job included being trained in the rhetorical strategies needed for giving speeches in that profession. Hence, aspiring politicians were trained in deliberative oratory, aspiring lawyers in forensic oratory. Everyone involved in public life was probably trained in celebratory oratory, which was used for honoring individuals and events" (from The Well-Crafted Argument A Guide and a Reader Third Ed. 109-110)
Cyber-Freewrite
Read the article. Using the Classical Argument flow chart or outline. Develop an outline for this article.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Today in class we reviewed Topical Invention (handout) and The Classical Argument form or Aristotelian (handout).
Some of the arguments developed were: Legality is outside one's control and morality is within one's control or sphere of influence.
Even though Skiffington is against slavery, it's his job to enforce the law which causes him a moral dilemma.
When majority population puts in place a certain set of rules to control and protect its people from harm, this is the proper role of government.
We reviewed 7B together and talked about Venn Diagrams. We'll complete 7C on Thursday.
Homework: Develop an outline for TKW essay for a classical argument. The topic is legality vs. morality. Use, "slavery" as depicted in TKW to prove your thesis.
Use the characters to illustrate teh legality and the moral issues connected to slavery, the institution.
Some of the arguments developed were: Legality is outside one's control and morality is within one's control or sphere of influence.
Even though Skiffington is against slavery, it's his job to enforce the law which causes him a moral dilemma.
When majority population puts in place a certain set of rules to control and protect its people from harm, this is the proper role of government.
We reviewed 7B together and talked about Venn Diagrams. We'll complete 7C on Thursday.
Homework: Develop an outline for TKW essay for a classical argument. The topic is legality vs. morality. Use, "slavery" as depicted in TKW to prove your thesis.
Use the characters to illustrate teh legality and the moral issues connected to slavery, the institution.
Legality vs. Morality
Reflect on the difference between what is legal vs. what is moral. Sometimes the two are in opposition. Look at the current debate between pharmaceutical companies with the USA judicial system which is using their life-saving drugs to kill convicted persons.
Look at the ever present argument about war and how war is necessary to achieve peace (?!)
Yesterday was the end of a period known as A Season of Peace, the dates between Mahatma Gandhi's killing January 30 and Martin Luther King Jr's killing April 4.
Reflect on legality vs. morality within the institution of slavery which is legal at the time events take place in Manchester county.
Look at the ever present argument about war and how war is necessary to achieve peace (?!)
Yesterday was the end of a period known as A Season of Peace, the dates between Mahatma Gandhi's killing January 30 and Martin Luther King Jr's killing April 4.
Reflect on legality vs. morality within the institution of slavery which is legal at the time events take place in Manchester county.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)