CMNS 110 (SPR
07)
Midterm Take-Home.
INSTRUCTIONS
The
exam should be handed in to your TA at lecture week 11;
depending on your TA’s schedule, arrangements may be
made to hand in the exam earlier. There is no minimum
limit, write as much as you think it takes; upper limit;
individual answers may not exceed 750 words.
Proper academic form is expected in the take-home
assignment, as with all formal written work. In addition to
command of course or research literature, clarity and
transparency of the organization of discourse, succinct
writing, correct use of citations and bibliographies,
introductory summary, clear point of departure, conclusion
or summation, course-driven vocabulary and copia, overall
presentation, and the presence of the “something
extra,” are all factored into grading criteria.
QUESTIONS
I. COURSE LITERATURE BASED ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS
Do THREE
(3 X 5% = 15%) of
the 6 below.
1.
Explain the origins and characteristics of “courtly
love” as a literary genre. Could we say that a form
of double bind is built into the genre? Why or why not?
2. What was it about poetry
that made Plato throw the poets out of the Republic? Why
might we say that Plato, perhaps unconsciously -- through
the banishment of the poets, and his own opinion on orality
and literacy -- appears to present us with either an
inconsistency or contradiction? Would you agree or
disagree, why?
3. What is the “art of
memory”; which are its essential elements and
techniques? In this context, why and how is the theory of
loci to be considered as a technique for composition rather
than rote learning? How could this be reconciled with the
idea that memory is the recollection of things and events
past? Or, is this a limited view of memory?
4. Why and how is the self a
product of “conversation?” With whom?
It’s been suggested that “flame” rather
than “stone” is a better metaphor for
describing consciousness and identity. Why?
5. What is propaganda? Listing
six communication and/or media strategies used by
propagandists, explain how each of these might be used
in framing
social issues,
&/or rules, &/or relations.
6. What constitutes a public
sphere? What would characterize communication practices and
institutions in Habermas’ ideal public sphere? Would
propaganda be allowed in this ideal public sphere? Why or
why not? How would Dewey respond to Habermas’ ideal
public sphere?” Lippmann?
II. 2. RESEARCH ASSIGMENT DEVELOPMENT & PROGRESS REPORT
(10%) Again, no lower limit, but may not exceed 1000 words.
Provide an update on your progress on the research
assignment.
Along a clear articulation of the issue/s you will address
and option you have chosen, and such discussion and
exposition of substantive content of your explorations as
necessary to illustrate, support, or inquire further,
explain:
• Why you chose this topic (why should anyone care)?
• What you think the limitations of the Wikipedia
entry, discussion available on Wikipedia, or general public
(media) discourse are, as well as providing your reasons
• How has the information you’ve begun to
consult informed or enriched your critical understanding of
the issues at hand, thus enabling overcoming such
limitations in your revision, original entry, or critical
intervention.
PDF
CMNS 110 MT
TAKEHOME