Blog Assignment #2--Part 1

Watch this video:

• Write a comment on the video post—click on the “comments” link below and add a comment like we did in class when we set up the blogs and you commented on the pictures.
• I am expecting that you will write a concise (about 100 words), organized, thoughtful comment, giving me some insight into what you think about the ideas in the video.
• There are no “right” or “wrong” answers here. I am interested in what you think.
• I will be evaluating you on how thoughtfully you are engaging with the ideas as well as how clearly you present them in writing.

Your comment will consist of a brief response to one of the following questions:

1. Colbert raises the idea that “truth” is just a matter of majority consensus—if enough people agree on something it must be true. He brings up the example of Galileo to point out that what “truth” is can change based on developments in areas of knowledge like science. What do you think about this idea? Is truth merely something “enough” people have agreed on? Why or why not?

2. One of the points Colbert is trying to make is that it’s kind of scary that anyone could change “facts” based on dubious motives—a whim, a political agenda, etc. Was it “ethical” for Colbert to change the Wikipedia entry on elephants like that (assuming he actually did)? Is it ethical for people to “use” information sources for their own ends? Why or why not?

• I realize that some of these questions are bigger than I am giving you space to write about here. Feel free to write a bigger post on your own blog if you are feeling inspired.
• Each student is required to make one comment, using the guidelines above. I am hoping that you will also read each other’s comments and perhaps engage in an online discussion. Any additional comments will make me happy but will not affect your grade.

Have fun with this...

America vs. Americans

This semester, as we have explored the unique development of Chicago as a dynamic community, we have spent time learning about the immigrants who came to make up the city. Our conversations and reading have helped us to understand Chicago as a global city, connecting with other nations as early as the mid- to -late 1800s for trade and industry.

To continue this conversation, we read Mark Hertsgaard's book "The Eagle's Shadow: Why America Fascinates and Infuriates the World," which looks at the United States and it's residents from a global perspective. On October 9th, our class began discussion of Hertsgaard's book, with a conversation about the following question:

Hertsgaard suggests that the world sees the United States in two parts: 1) America, and 2) Americans. How would you characterize each of these? Compare and Contrast.

Click on their individual blogs to see their responses. Enjoy!

Note: Photo taken from Wright State University at: www.wright.edu/uc/book.jpg.

Chicago Field Trip

On Tuesday, September 25th, the Exploring Chicago FYS class visited Chicago. Students broke up into 6 groups and fanned out across the city for visit the following sites:

• Michigan Avenue


• City Core


• Millenium Park


• Navy Pier/ North Pier


• South Loop


• UIC/ Taylor Street

While we were in the city, students used the "City as Text" concept to observe the people, places, and overall atmosphere of their specific sites. Check out the blogs of individual students to learn more about the wonderful sites they visited and the great things they learned!

Note: Thanks to Hannah for the group picture!

Hi guys--

I have posted the links to everybody's blogs on this page. If you don't see your blog here, please contact me ASAP; it means I don't have the url. I'm beginning to look at your blogs to read your essays on the plagiarism discussion--don't forget this is due by Tuesday Sept 18th.

Peg

FYS Information Ethics Blog Assignment

Your first assignment is to write a blog post with some reflections about the readings and discussion about academic dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, etc; that we worked on in class today. This post contains some places to start as you begin to write out your thoughts about information ethics. Use any or all (or none) of these questions/prompts to organize your thoughts.

You should write at least 5 paragraphs.You spent some time writing your reflections before we had the group discussions. What were those reflections? Did you hear ideas brought out by students that read a different article than yours that you hadn’t thought of? Did your understanding of what plagiarism or cheating is change after the discussion? Did hearing those ideas change how you thought about the concepts of academic dishonesty?What are your thoughts about academic dishonesty? What constitutes cheating? Is cheating a “victimless crime”? Are some kinds of cheating OK? Under what circumstances?

All of the articles talk about the idea of integrity and of building student integrity as a solution to the problem of academic dishonesty. What do you think about that idea? What does integrity mean to you in an academic context?

Several of the articles talk about honor codes as a way to discourage cheating. Should Elmhurst College develop an honor code?

Write your response as your first post in your own blog.

This post is due Tuesday September 18th.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Exploring Chicago blog, which represents the work of one section of the First Year Seminar at Elmhurst College. This semester, we hope to delve into the complex community that is Chicago, while simultaneously considering the role of a liberal arts education. Together, we will explore the city and create a classroom community in which we can ask some difficult questions. Although we will not discover the answers to many of them, this course will challenge you to uncover more information and experience firsthand the complexities of critical thinking. We're glad to have you as a part of this community of scholars!