January 10

Today, we covered the course objectives and policies as well as the sequence of assignments.  We also talked about how to read the daily calendar as follows:

• The "In Class" column explains what will be covered in class that day.
• The "Homework for Tonight" column explains the homework that will be due the next class.  For example, the homework in the row of January 10 (today) will be due on Tuesday.
• Anything in italics signifies things what needs to be brought to class that have not been upload to Blackboard
• Anything in small caps signifies something that is due on Blackboard.

We also talked about important things of which to be aware on Blackboard.

• In the "Course Info" tab, you will find the syllabus and the daily calendar.
• In the "Discussion" tab, you will find forums to which you will post your blog link and drafts of papers that will receive commentary from Megan.
• In the "Course Work" tab, you will find all the readings and handouts you will need to bring to class and/or complete for homework.  This tab is organized by folders labeled for each day we meet.  
• Any title in blue means you need to print a handout out and bring it to class on the day listed on the folder.  For example, the folder labeled "January 15" has a blue title, which means you need to bring that document on January 15.
• Any title in green means you need to print a reading out and bring it to class on the day listed on the folder.  You do not need to do the reading, though, because we will read it in class. For example, the folder labeled "January 15" has a green title, which means you need to bring that document on January 15.
• Any title in red signifies the homework for the day listed on the folder.  The homework will be do the following class period.  For example, if you have a red title in "January 10," it will be due on January 15.

We also responded to quotes about school.  We talked about how people should not judge homeless people because we do not know what has happened in their lives.  We cannot assume that they have dropped out of school or that they are drug addicts.  We cannot know what happened in their lives unless we have experience.  We also talked about the idea that ignorance is a choice.  Even if a person does not have access to books, he/she can learn things outside of books.  Finally, we had a brief debate about whether street smarts or book smarts is more important.  We may continue that debate on Tuesday.

Homework: Create a blogger account and post the hyperlink to Blackboard.  The subject should be your name.  In the message, you only need to include your link.