The Racial Mountain

After reading Langston Hughes' manifesto for the Harlem Renaissance, please respond to the following questions with thoughtful analysis and use textual reference to support your assertions.

1. What is Hughes' main argument about one's culture and heritage, and do you agree?

2. What is the racial mountain he refers to? Comment on Hughes' thesis in this essay?

DO NOT merely repeat what someone else has written. You need to read, analyze and speak for yourself.

Race, Class and Gender Response

Please write your response to the following-when you are done, ask a strong question that starts a discussion thread. Comment on other people's ideas and questions. I want you to be thought-provoking and challenge one another.

What was illuminated to you in this reading? Use 2 quotes to support your response;
Did this reading give you any new ideas? If so what were they? How might YOU change your perceptions based on this reading?

Introspective Glimpse Into Thoreau

Please respond, individually, to the following prompts. When you are finished, please ask a question. As you are writing your discussion thread, make sure to use specifics from the text to back up your responses and to keep questioning, challenging other people's thinking. I would like our discussion to talk not only about the text, but its application to contemprorary society.

Please write your favorite quote and analyze its significance. (What intrigues you about Thoreau's perspective of living?) Also, Thoreau went to Walden to find out what was necessary in life and what could be done without-he claims a more fulfilling life is simpler. Do you agree? Leave us with an interpretative or critical level question.

Actt 2 Crucible Discussion Thread

Today we are going to have a discussion thread based on Act 2 of The Crucible. I want you to respond to others, make comments, using textual support and I always want you to end with a question-intepretative or critical. I do not want one word responses; I expect formal writing and intelligent thought showing your discerning observations and analysis. Please keep in mind the ideological statements and central questions as a means of helping you analyze further. To start:

How far reaching has this epidemic become? Everyone should start here with comments and then take the thread where it will...

Fear and Fervor

After reading excerpts from Jonathan Edwards', Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" there are a few items I would like you to reflect upon.

Make sure you treat this like a discussion, not just an individual response. I want you reacting to other people's ideas as well. Answer the following:

1. What images and figures of speech do you find most powerful and persuasive in Edwards' sermon? Why are they powerful (thus, what do they help to emphasize/what is its purpose?)

2. Why did the Puritans value this sermon?

3. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that, "Fear is an instructor of great sagacity and the herald of all revolutions." Is fear a powerful motivator for human behavior? Please list some examples to back up your opinion. (Think about the things you do out of fear)

4. We have been reviewing aspects of Puritan culture-do we see aspects of this culture today? What aspects have we kept from Puritan culture?

Your Learning

Please repsond to ALL of the following questions/statements-make sure to label your answers accordingly: (Please make sure to proofread and use complete sentences)
1) What is the value of "learning"?
2) What is your role as a learner?
3) What constitutes a "good" student? Hence, what do you expect of yourself and your classmates as students and learners?
4) What do you expect of a good, quality teacher? Thus, what do you expect of me?
5) What does this class need to do/have in order for a productive, fun, learning environment to exist? What does that look like?

Inspiration

After watching our inspirational video, Inspired Bikes, please answer the following: (Make sure you are being true to your response-
1. What lessons can we take away that involve struggle, potential, expectations, work ethic etc.? (Hence, what do these videos have to teach us regarding these issues?)
2. How might these ideals apply to your future or present day life?
4. What inspires YOU?