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| "Reading a Story" (ca. 1879) by James Tissot |
The sort of conversation we're looking for is academic in character. Thus, your responses should consist of clear, concise statements of your ideas crafted in standard English (not text-speak--some of us are old!). They should be long enough to convey your thoughts, but short enough for other readers to read and respond to fairly quickly. In short, you don't want your responses to be so long that you monopolize (or kill) the conversation by going on, and on, and on.....(we all know how irritating that can be!).
Obviously, responses should not use profanity. They should be civil and respectful. People do not always agree. Responses can be critical; however, all communication is expected to be courteous and professional. Contributor's positions may be questioned; their character should not.
The object here is to reflect on some of the issues raised by the text, to connect the reading to your personal experience, and to help first- and second-year Honors students get to know each other better.
How and why was this particular book chosen?
The Honors Faculty started by reading reviews of popular, recently published books that address the gap between the Humanities and the Sciences. We presented three of these titles to Honors Students at the 2014 Spring picnic and caucus, where Honors students planning to take EQ3 in the fall voted on the one that looked best to them. The Storytelling Animal was the winner.
Are there any disclaimers I should be aware of before I begin reading the book?
Yes! No one who voted on this book had read the entire book before we chose it. It was only after we did so that we found out the coarse imagery the author deploys that the ideas he articulates that some may find quite offensive. Our choice of this book should not be interpreted as an endorsement of that imagery or the ideas expressed by the author. It is not the mission of ECU's Honors Program to promote the worldview of Jonathan Gottschall or any other particular author; we do, however, believe that students can benefit from engaging a variety of viewpoints, including the kind that are expressed by the author of The Storytelling Animal.
When should I begin posting my responses?
As soon as you have read the opening pages of The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Try to read the questions about each chapter before you read that chapter.
When is this assignment due?
This writing assignment is designed to be completed before classes begin. Details about where and how to account for and submit your word count total will be provided in class when the semester starts.
Where do I post my responses?
At the bottom of each question post, you will find a "comment" link. If it has a "0" beside it, that means no one has commented yet; as more people comment, the number will go up. (Click here to see a list of all the chapters that have questions associated with them.) When you're ready to weigh in, click on the "comments" button, read any previous comments, and start writing. Please sign your posts. And use your real name--not a nickname--so we can get to know each other).
The object here is to reflect on some of the issues raised by the text, to connect the reading to your personal experience, and to help first- and second-year Honors students get to know each other better.
How and why was this particular book chosen?
The Honors Faculty started by reading reviews of popular, recently published books that address the gap between the Humanities and the Sciences. We presented three of these titles to Honors Students at the 2014 Spring picnic and caucus, where Honors students planning to take EQ3 in the fall voted on the one that looked best to them. The Storytelling Animal was the winner.
Are there any disclaimers I should be aware of before I begin reading the book?
Yes! No one who voted on this book had read the entire book before we chose it. It was only after we did so that we found out the coarse imagery the author deploys that the ideas he articulates that some may find quite offensive. Our choice of this book should not be interpreted as an endorsement of that imagery or the ideas expressed by the author. It is not the mission of ECU's Honors Program to promote the worldview of Jonathan Gottschall or any other particular author; we do, however, believe that students can benefit from engaging a variety of viewpoints, including the kind that are expressed by the author of The Storytelling Animal.
When should I begin posting my responses?
As soon as you have read the opening pages of The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. Try to read the questions about each chapter before you read that chapter.
When is this assignment due?
This writing assignment is designed to be completed before classes begin. Details about where and how to account for and submit your word count total will be provided in class when the semester starts.
How many questions should I respond to?
We do not expect you to respond to each question, but you should respond to several representing different sections of the book.
How much should I write?
Your responses should add up to a sum total of not less than 750 words. Don't try to load up all 750 words into one or two comments. You should also respond to comments left by other readers. And pose questions to other readers. (Check back later to see if anyone has responded to your comments-and respond to their responses.) All of this writing will count toward your word total. Students are responsible for keeping track of their word total (you can cut and paste your responses into a Microsoft Word document, which has a word count feature). This is not just a writing assignment, though; it's a reading assignment, too. Every student is responsible for reading every word of the assigned text.
Where do I post my responses?
At the bottom of each question post, you will find a "comment" link. If it has a "0" beside it, that means no one has commented yet; as more people comment, the number will go up. (Click here to see a list of all the chapters that have questions associated with them.) When you're ready to weigh in, click on the "comments" button, read any previous comments, and start writing. Please sign your posts. And use your real name--not a nickname--so we can get to know each other).
More questions?
E-mail us at sbenton@ecok.edu!
E-mail us at sbenton@ecok.edu!
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