World View

Today in class we spoke about world views and how one's world view can both expand or limit one's perceptions. The discussion was quite involved and enlightening. Students then wrote a freewrite. We read Jon Carroll's column The Problem with New Data (7th Edition 5-6; Sixth 4-5) and then read The Writer by Richard Wilbur (7th Edition 15-16; Sixth Edition 19-20).

Homework
1. Read all of chapter 1. Jot down any questions and bring to class.

2. Complete exercises: 1A Examining Your World View (7th Edition 6-7; Sixth Edition 5-6).

3. Second writing assignment: Exercise 1C or 1D: Understanding Figurative Language (7th Edition 16:2; Sixth Edition 20:2). Do not complete 1. We reviewed this in class. Pay attention to the chapter summaries and to the vocabulary. There will be weekly or bi-weekly quizzes on vocabulary and on key concepts.

4. Bring Baldwin to class on Tuesday. We will finish the discussion of the book.

I will post Tuesday's lesson plan before class (smile). The goal is to send everyone and post here the daily objectives and assignments. Now that we all have our books, this will be easier to accomplish--stay well (smile). See you next week

Today's Lesson Plan. You will note that we did not get to everything:

Thinking Made Visible (reprise)

Critical Thinking – thought characterized by careful analysis and judgment. It is important to have an open mind (Both editions 2-3).

When one thinks about argument or persuasive discourse, one almost feels like he or she needs to inoculated against false ideas, that the open minded person is the one most likely abused, when perhaps the opposite is the case. A closed fist doesn’t get fed, similarly, a closed mind cannot change.

The authors in the new edition talk about Hedgehogs and Foxes, a concept posed by British philosopher Isaiah Berlin (1909-1997). He divided thinkers into 2 categories—hedgehogs and foxes (7th Edition 4-5). This in itself might pose a dilemma in that, often categories are boarder than two. It is like the either or argument, either you are with me or against me, when there are certainly other options.

The title comes from a poem by Greek poet Archilochus: the fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. According to Berlin, hedgehogs see the world through a single lens, a dominant idea, while foxes base their view of the world on a wide variety of experiences. Hedgehogs have a focused worldview and strong convictions. Foxes are less rigid and more pragmatic, more aware of complexity and nuance.  See (7th Edition 5).

I found an interesting article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hedgehog_and_the_Fox
I also found it interesting that the hedgehog is preyed on by foxes. Berlin's essay is in the circulating collection at COA.

Talk about the writing process: (Seventh 7-11; Sixth 10-14). Anne Lamott. Read the child’s draft (9-10).

Audience and Purpose (Seventh 12-13; Sixth14-17).

Audience is "the face beneath the page"—Virginia Woolf  (Seventh 14; Sixth 14).

Aristotle: Logos  or reason; Ethos or the use of one’s character and creditability to persuade an audience; and pathos the use of emotional appeals to sway the audience (Seventh 12)

Emailing and Test message (Seventh 12; Sixth 15-16)

Not assigned. Writing Assignment 1 Considering one’s audience—due Thursday, Feb. 14. This is a cyber-assignment. Bring a copy to class to share or your computer (Seventh 13; Sixth 15).

Reading homework. Read Chapter 1, preview chapter 2 in WLTC.

Group assignment—Read the poem "The Writer" (Seventh 15-16) Complete 1C/1D together. Talk about Baldwin.