APELC Class Notes
Objectives: APELCers responded to their peers’ persuasion drafts.
Juniors and seniors, you did as the objective states. Remember that your essay need not follow the classical formula and need not advocate some earth-shattering social, political, or cultural change. It may take combine aspects of narration, description, classification, example, et cetera (look to the varied texts we’ve read this semester for inspiration), and your position may be one in which you argue the value of something (eg., a special relationship), or persuade your audience of the necessity of something (eg., respect for a tradition), or convince me of the definition of something (eg., the nature of an emotion). I know you’ve already completed your first drafts, but I also know some of you are frustrated over your topic, so see me about shifting your focus if you want and we’ll see what we can do to make it a reality for your second draft reviews.
Here’re two links to the concepts I mentioned in class today: the Wikipedia entry on Transhumanism, and from The New Statesman an essay on the myth of progress. And here’s the video for “Must Be Santa” from Bob Dylan’s new album Christmas in the Heart (which I heartily recommend):
(Again, no holiday or worldview endorsement here, since Dylan grew up Jewish, was publicly secular and sang songs full of existential even nihilistic angst, converted to Christianity, has since participated in Chabad-Lubavitch ceremony, and reflects some pantheistic notions in his music today. Just have fun and process it.)
Thanks to all of you who participated in the Sign Language Club’s collection of items for our service members. You have homework. See you next class.