Grades

Fellow Writers,

I will be submitting grades tomorrow. I got everything from my mailbox today and have only received two emails so far from people with questions. If I do not hear from you by five P.M. tomorrow, I will go ahead and submit grades. No changes will be permitted after that. Please email me at jenniferlhudgens (at) uky (dot) edu if you would like to schedule a meeting tomorrow afternoon.

I had a great semester teaching you all! Have a wonderful summer!

Presentation Order

Monday:

1 PM

Apple Parody

2 PM

Guys Being Dudes

Wednesday:

1 PM

Aunt Jemima

Wildcats

2 PM

SAP Group

The Gay Agenda

Friday:

1 PM

GPS Parody

The Race Group

2 PM

Team Race
Lotamotion 

WRD 111 Spring 2016 Playlist

Tracy Chapman - Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution
Maddie & Tae - Girl in a Country Song
The Cure - Boys Don't Cry
Third Eye Blind - Jumper
Nina Simone - Mississippi Goddam
Murs - The Science
Shamir - In for the Kill
Beyonce - Formation
Mike Doughty - Busting Up a Starbucks

Evals Today

Don't forget to bring a device on which to do evals!

Meet in the Library Basement Monday!

This is officially your reminder that we are meeting at the Media Depot in the basement of WT Young Library on Monday. Be there or be square - and be on time!!

Filmmaking 101

Here are the absolute basics of film production: the kinds of roles people can take and the five steps of the filmmaking process.

Roles:

Screenwriters - write the script, aka the screenplay

Filmographers or camera people - record the performances on video

Actors - the people who perform the script; includes voiceover actors, stars, as well as extras and supporting roles

Sound technicians - responsible for recording audio, adding in music and sound effects, layering different soundtracks so it blends properly

Editors - put everything together in the right order using video and audio editing equipment

Graphic designers - responsible for the overall "look," including on-screen text, animations, etc.

Directors - lead production by telling actors where to stand, how to emote, when to do what; casting directors select who act in which roles

Producers - often an honorary title, but strictly refers to the people who manage the production team as a whole and move the project from development to distribution; frequently also the people who provide financial backing or other resources for the film

Gophers - the people who "go for" whatever the crew needs, from food to equipment, the road crew of the production company

Five Stages of Filmmaking 

Not only in this strict order, some stages overlap, and sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board!

1. Development - brainstorming, rough drafts, scriptwriting, storyboards, etc.

2. Pre-production - assigning/hiring cast and crew, designating meeting places and times for production schedule, set building, etc.

3. Production - shooting the raw footage, recording audio & video, animations, etc.

4. Post-production aka post - editing everything into a film

5. Distribution - sharing the final cut (posting online, showing in theaters, presenting in class)

Some other considerations:
- EVERYONE in the group should have a copy of the video file BEFORE the day of the presentation
- We also need to decide presentation order today
- You may either use your phones for video & audio recording or you can check out equipment (incl. cameras) from WRD (13th floor of Patterson Office Tower, go to the big glassed-in office) AND from the AV Services (in the basement of WT Young, incl. tripods for stable video)

Groups for Ad Parody Project

1 PM
Gender (women)
Sabrina Morgan Maddie Hannah

Gender (men)
Wade Kody Dameon Bailey AJ

Race
Ethan Khaylae Crysta Tristian

Silver Bryan Tyler Conner


Class
Levi Ashley Chris Drew Sam





2 PM
Gender (women)
Sharon Blake Jessica Farha Rachel

Gender (men)
Zach Mark Adam Chris

Race
Dre Viv Yifan Jackson Abby


Sexuality
Jennifer Mary Lily Arul
Regina Leigh Kristen Joe

More Links

Group Presentation Video

SNL Totino's Parody
SNL "Things We All Share" Parody

DeVry Parody

UKY Student Parody
FarmersOnly Student Parody
Carl's Jr. Student Parody
ASPCA Student Parody

Ad Parody Links

This is the remaining schedule for the semester. As of now, there are no changes.

Here is the rubric for the ad parody video.
Here is the rubric for the group presentation.

Group components - 15% of your final course grade

Individual components - 10% of your final course grade

You will collaborate in small groups of 4-5 to complete this project. You will work with other students who used the same critical lens (class, gender, or race). You will use your combined efforts to synthesize research you did independently and complete new research in order to explore one contemporary social problem regarding class, gender, or race (or another cultural lens). For this project, you will create a parody of an advertisement in video form. You will be advertising a fake product that you “created” as a parody. The goal of this assignment is to make a parody as a way of “talking back” to the companies you wrote your essays about, and other companies who advertise in similar ways. 

You will make a (0:30-1:00 minute) video and give a 5 minute presentation (1 minute minimum per member) explaining your product, what it is parodying, and why you made the rhetorical choices you did. The goal is to think critically about your lens (gender, race, or class) and make an observation about how advertising relates to that topic. You will also provide an annotated bibliography (see example here) - MLA formatted, 2 sources relevant to your topic, a paragraph of summary for each source with at least one complete sentence describing the relevance of that source to your group project as a whole or to your work on the project in particular.

The group component will be half based on the overall group grade for the project (see the video rubric) and half based on group evaluations (see guidelines here). 

The individual component will be half based on your 1 minute minimum of group presentation (see the presentation rubric) and half based on the quality of your annotated bibliography (due the day your group presents). 

Group Contracts - guidelines 

We will work on the contracts this Friday - your participation is mandatory and will be graded, finalized versions should be emailed by midnight!!!

Conference Schedule

Link here.

Free Speech Links

U.S. Courts on protected vs. non-protected speech.
Jacobellis V. Ohio "I know it when I see it"
Miller v. California SLAPPS test aka the Miller test for obscenity
Roth v. United States definition of "prurient interest"
Cohen v. California and political speech ("Fuck the draft")

Additional Satire Links

Palin (Fey)/Clinton (Poehler) sketch.
Countdown's side-by-side of Sarah Palin and Tina Fey's comparison.

Friday canceled

Fellow writers,

I'm canceling class on Friday. Please use this time to revise your draft in response to the comments from peer review.

On Monday we will cover BOTH the SNL  and the "Why there is no conservative Jon Stewart" articles, and arrange conference dates then as well. 

Let me know if you have questions and have a good weekend!

Follow-up Survey - Participation Credit

Here is the follow-up survey for the library. Please complete this before class on Monday.

Office hours canceled 3/23

I am under the weather and ONLY canceling office hours; see you in class! Don't forget to bring your draft!!

Bonus Opportunities Past and Present

Those of you who attended class the Friday before Spring Break (as required) received 5 points of bonus to Participation Grade #3.  Those of you who missed that day missed that opportunity, but there is an additional opportunity for everyone.

WRD Gallery - 5 points to Participation Grade #3

Go to the Hub in the library. View one of the video screens that is showing WRD projects. Using a QR code reader, watch or view a student project and write a 100 word summary and reflection. Alternatively, go to Core 3 in the basement and use the computers there to view a student project or website and do the same reflection. Due by April 1st (no fooling!)

Reminder: Today is Library Day!!

Please meet in the basement of William T. Young library in front of the Writing Center!

Week 9: Ad Analysis Essay Details

The Ad Analysis Essay Draft 1 is due at peer review on Wednesday, March 23rd and is worth 3% of your final grade in the class. Draft 2 is worth 7% of your final grade and is due the week of April 4th on the day of our conference (scheduling TBA). Draft 3 is worth 20% of your final grade and is due in class on Wednesday, April 13th.
Here is the rubric. 2000-2500 words (please include a word count with each draft from introduction to conclusion, not including bibliography, header, or title).
Here is the set of guidelines we will use in peer review on March 23rd; participation is mandatory.

Formatting and other minutiae:
The polished final draft must be printed and stapled, have MLA formatting for all sources and include URLS for any online sources, be Times New Roman 12 pt font, double-spaced with 1 inch margins, have a single-line header, a single-spaced bibliography with hanging indents for each entry, be carefully edited for spelling, grammar, and style, and show significant improvement from the first two drafts.

Breakdown of Requirements for Substance of Analysis:
1. Use the same ad, or talk to me about changing to a new one.
2. Explore the elements (visual, textual, verbal) through a critical lens (gender, sexuality, race, class, ability, etc.)
3. Rely on secondary sources to support your argument and add substance to your analysis with facts you properly cite. 2 secondary sources minimum.
4. Explore the other ads by the same company, past, present, and from the same campaign as the ad you focus on to add context about the company and their advertising choices.
5. In your introduction have a strong, clear thesis which unambiguously states the cultural impact (harms OR benefits) of the ad AND how it affects a larger cultural issue or problem.

Link to Survey

http://bit.ly/1RHokAX

Please fill out this survey ASAP! It counts towards participation. Beth (our librarian) and I need it done no later than Monday before class, please.

Sample Outline

Here is a sample outline I created to give you an idea of what I'm looking for when you finish your presentation. Do NOT forget the bibliography (and be sure to provide sources for all information you collect - who the producer is, what definitions of terms you use, any information about the cultural lens, etc.). If you do not give me a bibliography, you will receive a zero for the outline.

For Groups with Absent Members in Peer Review

Here is the blank rubric in case your group had an absent member today.
Instructions:
1. The absent member should email you their outline for the ad analysis presentation.
2. Fill in the rubric with your comments and mail the completed rubric back to them ASAP so they can incorporate the changes this weekend.
3. If you want additional comments from the absent member, email them your outline; they should email you comments back on this rubric, too.
PLEASE try to complete this before Sunday night if you would like full credit for participation in peer review.

Week 7

Replacement Mountain Dew Ad: here.

Ad Analysis Checklist: here.

Short Essay #4

I just noticed that by canceling the Mody reading, you only have one option for the essay. Feel free to write on Mody, hooks, or Coates if you prefer those articles to the McIntosh. Talk about representation in the media, whether commercial or political, and try to provide examples to back up your claims.
Let me know if you have questions!

New Updated Schedule

Check it out, you have one reading assignment no longer included, and no deadlines have been changed: here.

Class Canceled - But Wait, There's More

Fellow Writers,

I have to cancel class today, unfortunately. We will discuss the Coates and McIntosh articles on Friday and I will post a revision to the schedule then.

I do want you to benefit from today in terms of writing and starting to think about your upcoming analysis of an advertisement, so here is a practice run. Please bring your print-out or hand-written copy of your answers to this assignment to class on Friday - this will count towards participation grade #2.

First, watch this Super Bowl Hyundai Ad: Here. Then pull out a pen and paper or a computer to take notes for each of the six questions below. Watch it again. Let it loop if that helps.

Second, do a rhetorical analysis of this advertisement. Read your notes, maybe let the ad loop some more if you want. Write one or more (complete, grammatical) sentences in response to each of these questions:
1. Who is the author of this piece/the creator of the message? Do a Google: who is responsible for this particular ad campaign for Hyundai?
2. Who do you think is the intended audience? Do not simply say "people watching the Super Bowl" or "black people" - there is more going on here. Which kind of people is the advertisement targeting and why, in your opinion?
3. What is the message this advertisement conveys, beyond simply "buy Hyundai"? Why do they want you to buy Hyundai? Also: What does this message say about black fatherhood, masculinity, sexuality, etc.? Think about how race intersects with other cultural lenses.
4. Make some claims about design choices: what decisions did the creators make about what you see, what you hear, what you read, what kind of text, etc.? Why do you think they made those choices specifically?
5. Make some claims about design strategies: What kind of impact does the advertisement have in terms of ethos (authority - techniques to make us feel the ad comes from a trustworthy source of information, the sense that the ad is 'legit'), pathos (emotion - techniques to make us feel good or bad in order to convince us to accept their message), and logos (argument - techniques to appeal to our sense of reason and logic to convince us to accept their message)?  Why did the advertisers use those appeals to convince us to buy Hyundai?
6. What constraints or limitations affected their decision making process? Why could they not make certain choices, include different strategies? These can be any number of things: time, resources, what year it is, what politics are in place, all sorts of contextual issues, etc.

Additional Links for Feb 8-12

Sexuality
Monday
Things Guys Say to Lesbians: Here.
Things Bisexual People are Tired of Hearing: Here.


Here is an example citation for a Buzzfeed video on Youtube in MLA style:
Buzzfeed Yellow. "Things Bisexual People Are Tired of Hearing." Online Entertainment Video.  
      Youtube. Buzzfeed, 10 Apr 2014. Web. 7 Feb 2016.
       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6SXrK0l-ZA




Race
Wednesday
How to Tell Someone They Sound Racist: Here.

Friday 
bell hooks. "Eating the Other: Desire and Resistance." From Black Looks: Race and Representation. New York: Routledge, 1992. Pp. 21-39. Print.
Here is a link to the pdf.

Ad Analysis Links

Ad Analysis Presentation Rubric: Here.

Presentation Order (TBD): Here.

Gender and Sexuality Links

Gender Identity Webcomic: Here.
Street Harassment Video: Here.

Note for Essay Prompt 2

What I mean by "invisibility" is how we don't see representation of this kind of difference in the media, and how people hide it by not talking about it. One thing I mentioned in class is how representation matters. How does this affect class difference?

Short Essay Guidelines

Okay, so here are a few guidelines that might help:
First, consider the question in the essay prompt. Write your introduction as an explanation of what you think the question is asking, and give a thoughtful reply. You can write the reply part after you've written the body, if that helps.
The body should briefly summarize the text you want to discuss and the extra piece of media you found. Then synthesize and reflect: how do these two things relate to each other, and how do they relate to the question? What evidence do they provide for your answer? Can you make an argument? Do you have any criticisms of the author or creator of the media, and how they use satire? If so, why are these things problematic, why does it matter?  Do you have other thoughts about this subject? What is at stake? Why are the pieces significant?
An entire conclusion paragraph isn't so necessary in such a short, reflective piece, but you might include a sentence or two about any new ideas or avenues of research these thoughts direct you to examine.

Important Links Discussed in Class Today

Updated Schedule: Here.
Readings Folder Link: Here.
Example Short Essay: Here.
Rubric for Short Essays: Here.

Week 3, January 25-29

It's snowing! However, chances are that classes will resume back to normal next week, so here is the plan:

On Monday, January 25th, we will plan to discuss how to find an argument and the purpose of satire in an argument on the basis of the Swift and Foer articles.

For Wednesday, January 27th, bring in your printed first short essay assignment. Be sure to include your name and section number at the top, and a bibliography at the end.
My mentor suggested reducing the number of reading assignments, so before class on Tuesday only read the Sanders article linked here, "Common Wealth."

Friday, January 29th we will be watching and discussing the Ted Talk by Aaron Huey. I'm going to work up  an adjusted schedule accounting for the snow day and the reduction in reading assignments, and post it sometime next week, so stay tuned!

Short Essay Prompts Plus Readings for Week 2

Here is the link to the Short Essay Prompts.
And the link for the Ad Analysis Presentation.

For Monday, we have an academic holiday in honor of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., so no class.
Wednesday, please bring a (digital or printed) copy of a news article for a citation exercise.

Before class on Friday, read these two articles:
Jonathan Swift "A Modest Proposal."
Jonathan Foer "A Case for Eating Dogs."
Note also that your First Short Essay Option is due on January 25th. Please bring a printed copy to turn in at the beginning of class.

First Syllabus & Schedule of Assignments

Welcome to the Spring 2016 WRD 111 Blog!

Here are a few links to get you started: 

Syllabus
Schedule of Assignments
Friday's Reading: Savini's "Looking for Trouble"

These files may change - usually they both do - so check back daily for new blog posts. I will not be using Canvas or Blackboard during this semester, so this blog and your email address will be our main points of contact. 

My email for this class is jenniferlhudgens (at) uky (dot) edu or if you fail to reach me there you can try jenniferphilosophy (at) gmail (dot) com - but I DO NOT discuss grades by email, you must come to office hours or make an appointment. This is to protect your privacy, and is policy!

I had a fantastic time teaching WRD 110, and I hope we have another great semester this Spring with WRD 111!