Memoir

What have you learned about Carlos Eire thus far? Who is he and why do you think he's writing? Also,  what does today's reading suggest to you about memoir as a genre? How would you describe that genre based on what you've read so far?

due in class 11/14

Election Reflections

Now that it's all over but the recounting and at least some of the dust has settled, take a few minutes to reflect. For many of you, this was the first presidential election in which you were old enough to vote. What was it like? What did you learn about the electoral process? What was your favorite moment of the campaign so far?

due 11/9
Note also that Personal Blog 6 has been moved to Wednesday, November 14.

Inquiry Presentations

Choose one of the presentations from today and write a response to it. You might choose the one that you found most interesting, most aggravating, or perhaps the one that you just really want to have a conversation about.

Your post might address the strengths or weaknesses of the argument or other points that weren't mentioned. You should also mention why you chose to respond to this particular presentation and not another.

due October 29

All in Moderation

The moderators for this year's presidential (and vice presidential) debates have been getting a lot of attention, much more than I personally can remember in a past election. What do you value in a debate moderator? What do you think her/his role is and what has been your favorite "moderator moment" thus far?

due October 19

How to Stuff Your Face Like a President: Athens Edition

During Monday's class we took a look at the rhetoric of presidential eating and the New York Times' slideshow, "How to Stuff Your Face Like a President." We spent a few minutes talking about where we should send Obama for a quintessential Athens bite. I think Paul mentioned Big Mamma's burritos (which is probably where I'll frequent this afternoon for my make-it-through-the-rally food).

Then it hit me: Nothing is more Athenian than Casa. We always take guests there so that they get the full Athenian experience. But then, of course I realized that Obama can't go to Casa. (10 bonus points to the first person to tell me why!)

But then a few hours later I saw the owner of Donkey posting to FB that he really hoped President Obama would come to Donkey. We were all suggesting ways that Chris could encourage Obama to stop in. And last night I walked into O'Betty's and the guy at the counter said that Obama might stop in there because he likes to eat at locally owned restaurants. O'Betty's, according to Counter Guy, had been cleared by the Secret Service.

So where will Obama show up? O'Betty's? Donkey? Casa? All have great food and great Athens culture. Also, I'm pretty sure he should drink beer. Because this is Athens.

Wherever it is, I will be taking a play from Maggie's grandparents' book when I have some Obama-supporting friends in town this weekend. 

Postscript: As I was adding in the hyperlinks, I saw a big sign on Casa's page saying that they're closed today. I laughed so hard I almost fell off my chair. So yes Mr. President, if you want the full Athenian experience, go to Casa, find out it's closed, and then go get a Syra at O'Betty's and wash it down with a nice Frescante from my friends, Chris & Angie Pyle.

Personal Blog 6: Face to Face with a President (or at least within shouting distance)

For most of us, getting to hear a President speak live is a once-in-a-lifetime event. What do you think was the rhetorical purpose of Obama's appearance in Athens? (i.e. beyond getting you to vote for him) What specific arguments did you hear him making?

Were there other implicit arguments at work? (perhaps through his appearance in a college town, appearance in Ohio, through the warm-up acts, maybe through his choice of clothing?)

Finally, what was it like to be there in the crowd? Did you find him more or less persuasive in person?

If you weren't able to attend the rally, then an alternate prompt will be added closer to the due date.

due 11/9 to your Personal Blog
due 11/14 to your Personal Blog; respond to the "Election Reflections" post for Friday, 11/9, instead.

The Rhetoric of the Lie

After reading through the factcheck.org responses to the vice presidential and first presidential debates, what do you think is the rhetorical value of lying. Do you think that one kind of lie is more likely to get candidates in trouble than another? Why do candidates persist in lying in this age of near-instant factchecking? From the candidates' perspective, how does untrue information manage to persuade people anyway? (even when it's easy to demonstrate that the information is untrue?)

due on October 17, 2012