Questions for "I'll Be Back" (Black Mirror episode)

1) What role does social media play in the episode?


2) What ethical problems or questions are raised by the episode?


3) Do you think robots/ai's have consciousness? Why or why not?

4) If your closest loved one died, would you be tempted to use this technology if it were widely available? Why or why not?

5) If you were to die, would you be comfortable with your closest loved ones using this technology? Why or why not?

6) Discuss the role of money in the episode.

An interesting article to read for next Monday: https://aeon.co/essays/could-machines-have-become-self-aware-without-our-knowing-it

A good read on why literature matters, what it offers us.

Please read this letter from Apple in addition to your regular reading for Friday. 

https://www.apple.com/customer-letter/

WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP GUIDELINES

DIRECTIONS: Please answer in complete sentences and take time and care in responding, as you will be graded on your answers. You do not need to write down the questions.

You should be addressing all questions within a given section. Give the notes to the Paper Author when finished. They will hand it in to me next week at the beginning of class on the day your final paper is due, and you will both get credit for the assignment.

1) Is the essay's thesis clear? Point out any areas where it could be clearer. Is it arguable? Is it well-qualified (specific)? Even if the thesis seems to be specific enough, suggest a way for the writer to make it even more specific and narrow. Also note any awkward grammar or unclear word choice.

2) Is the writer incorporating research from scholarly sources into the essay? Do the sources seem to be a strong and relevant for the thesis at hand? Do not ask the writer to tell you about them, but judge them based solely on what is in the paper. Write what you know about the sources below and give any suggestions for what you need to know more about:

3) Does the writer incorporate plenty of quotes/paraphrases/summaries from the book/outside sources examples in the essay? They should! Are those quotes strong enough to use (i.e. “murder weapon quotes”)? Which quote is the strongest and which is the weakest? Why? 

4) Does the writer provide convincing, sufficient analysis for their quotations? Remember, analysis is as important than the quote itself. Make suggestions for improvement below, and be specific. The analysis should of course connect back to the thesis.

5) Is the paper organized? Do the main topics of the body paragraphs seem to build logically upon one another? Are the quotations logically organized? Give at least one suggestion for improvement.

Please note that my office hours are canceled today. I will see you in class!

Hi everyone,

This is a friendly reminder to bring two PRINTED copies of your rough draft--which must be at least TWO pages, typed, double-spaced--to class on Wednesday.

Failure to bring your rough draft means you may be sent home! So do bring it.

Your final draft must be the full length of 4-5 pages.

Lastly, I will post here if we will be meeting in the alternative classrooms on Wednesday. For now, plan to be in our regular classroom.

1) What is the Black Mirror?
2) What aspects of our world today does the show reflect? Why do you think that the creators chose these aspects to explore?
3) What "message" does the ending of the episode send? How does this ending reflect our world today?
4) What utopian and dystopian elements did you notice in the show?
5) What is the role of the judges on the show? How does your perspective of them shift over the course of the episode?

Hi everyone,

Please note that I have shifted our Rough Draft workshop to Wednesday. I will let you know in class what to do for the workshop.

If you have any questions, let me know.

Prof D

Dear students,

Our class for Monday has been relocated.

Please note that my 1:30 and 3:30 classes have been relocated to two separate places. Please make sure to note which one is yours.

1:30 class

Club 88

3:30 class

Ball Hall Living Learning Classroom

 Below are your pairs for Friday's activity. When you have completed the activity, please email me a grade for your partner. The grade will be kept private and will inform my grading on this assignment. Essentially, I want so ensure the work is shared and one person doesn't carry the whole load.

Pairs for 1:30 class

Tori and Miranda
Danielle and Bryan
Oliver (group of one)
Zeke and Delaney
Alex and Elise
Mia and Maria and Jake
Gaby and Jasmine
Li and Luis

3:30 class

Will andArthur
Brie and Dominic
Daniel and Nick
Tess and Sam
Alex and Ashton
Frankie and Mukewele and Kelsey

Sci Fi Tv Show Synopsis Pairs Project

For Friday, you will meet outside the classroom with a partner at an agreed upon time, in order to put together a synopsis for an episode of a sci fi tv show akin to The Twilight Zone or Black Mirror.

You may want to read through some of the synopses for  these two shows online in order to make sure that you don't copy an idea that's already been done, but also that you are in line with the basic elements of the show.

You are also welcome to watch another episode or two, although this is not required.

 Your synopsis should be one and a half to two pages in length, typed and doublespaced. Let your realtor know who the characters are, what the basic plot elements are, where the episode is set, and what time period it is in. You may choose to explore dystopian or utopian ideas, or to try something else.

This is due via email only by the beginning of Monday's class.

Hi everyone,

Please read this article on Flint Michigan for Wednesday.

Essay 1 Prompts

Choose to respond to one of the following prompts for your first essay in this course. Your final paper should be 4-5 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, and should follow MLA formatting (including a Works Cited page, which does not count as one of the 4-5 pages).


Make sure to use at least three, scholarly outside sources from the library's databases to support your ideas.


1) Write a comparison/contrast paper that compares Lauren's religion of Earthseed to one or more major religions in the world. What does Earthseed have in common with these religions? How is it different? And, most importantly, what makes Earthseed significant as a religious movement? (Please note that this is an analytical paper--aim for secular objectivity.)


                                                                     OR

 2) Analyze the social and imaginative importance of dystopian novels. Why might this genre of novel be important? What are its major aims? How might a dystopian novel affect a reader or group of readers, if taken seriously? Please make sure to use lots of examples from the novel to support your ideas, and feel free to use additional examples from other dystopian novels, provided that your primary focus is Parable of the Sower. You may want to do research not only on dystopian novels and their value, but also on real life issues (science based) that parallel the novel.

Mars One

Hi everyone,

Please check out this website on Mars One before Friday's class! You can simply skim through. I recommend spending around 10 minutes with it.

Best,
Prof D

Office Hours

Professor Durbin's office hours are from 12:15-1:15 and 2:30-3:15 on MWF in the top floor of Mendenhall. It's always a good idea to give me a heads up before you make the trek up to Mendenhall, just in case I step out for a minute.