Week 19

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Celebrity News 12.12.15

• Adele's new short haircut breaks the Internet (People) 
• Here are the best new bloopers of 2015 (YouTube)
• Rihanna glitters at her annual Diamond Ball (Huffington Post)
• Which celebrities most influenced new baby names in 2015? (Yahoo! News)
• "Instagram husbands" tell all in new skit (Jezebel)
• Viral video of the week: Daredevils climb Rio's Christ the Redeemer at night (YouTube)

 

Week 18

Week 18: Mo 12.7 (LAST REGULAR DAY OF CLASS)

Class: Presentations
DUE: CLOSE READ (Note Monday due date)

Upcoming:

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Celebrity News 12.5.15

• Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman, Scott Weiland, dead at 48 (CNN)
• Male pornstar superstar James Deen accused of rape by several female co-stars (Salon)
• What does Twitter want to name Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's new baby boy? (Us Weekly)
• Pamela Anderson named Playboy's final nude centerfold (USA Today)
• Hey, girl: Ryan Gosling breaks during Saturday Night Live alien abduction skit (People)
• Yahoo!: Bobbi Kristina Brown was most searched celebrity name in 2015 (New Music Express)

Close Read: The Paparazzi Photography of Ron Galella

A close read, sometimes called an explication, is a detailed analysis of a small section of a text, such as a paragraph of a novel, or a shorter text, such as a poem. Though traditionally applied to poetry and fiction, close reads can also be relevant to photos, songs, films, even video games. Whatever the medium, goal is always to uncover new meanings through a minute analysis.

For this assignment you will conduct close read of a photograph from the infamous paparazzo Ron Galella. In a career spanning decades, Galella was the bane of celebrities worldwide. His aggressive and intrusive style earned him many enemies. Today, however, his photographs are highly sought after by serious photograph collectors.

Below are the photos you may choose from for you close read. Write about only one.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, 1968

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, 1971

Marlon Brando (and Ron Galella), 1973

Jaclyn Smith, 1978

Al Pacino, 1979

John F. Kennedy Jr., 1980

Sean Penn, 19986

Naomi Campbell, 1991

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• 2-3-page minimum
• Include a works cited page

Due: Mo 12.7 (Note Monday due date)

Week 17

Week 17: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Presentations; Lecture: “Close Reads 101”

Upcoming:

Week 18: Mo 12.7 (LAST REGULAR DAY OF CLASS)

Class: Presentations
DUE: CLOSE READ (Note Monday due date)

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Celebrity News 11.27.15

• How Adele and the BBC pranked a group of Adele impersonators (Entertainment Weekly)
• Also ... Adele performs "Hello" on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots using classroom instruments (YouTube)
• Modern Family's Reid Ewing discloses body dysmorphia and plastic surgery past; also comes out as gay (Towleroad)
• Twitters turns on Aaron Carter after he claims Michael Jackson personally passed the torch to him (dlisted)
• Sweden's Princess Sophia debuts her royal baby bump (People)
• On trend: The glitter beard (Esquire)

Week 16

Week 16: Mo 11.23/We 11.25 (THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS)

Read: OWEN—Pg. 151 – 200

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Upcoming:

Week 17: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture: “Close Reads 101”

Week 18: Mo 12.7 (LAST REGULAR DAY OF CLASS)

Class: Presentations
DUE: CLOSE READ (Note Monday due date)

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Celebrity News 11.17.15

• Charlie Sheen: "I'm here to admit that I am, in fact, HIV-positive" (NBC News)
• Last week ... Adult film actress: Womanizing A-list actor is HIV+ (Daily Mail)
• Also ... Report alleges at least six former sexual partners are about to sue Sheen for not disclosing his condition prior to sex (TMZ)
• Madonna brought to tears in tribute to Paris terror victims at Stockholm concert (People)
• Rob Lowe faces Twitter backlash over Paris terrorist attack tweet (Variety) 
• Viral video of the week: A father and his young son's personal conversation about the Paris attacks (Yahoo! News Canada)

Week 15

Week 15: Mo 11.16/We 11.18
Read: OWEN—Pg. 76 - 150
Class: Watch—Smash His Camera (HBO)

Upcoming:

Week 16: Mo 11.23/We 11.25 (THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS)

Read: OWEN—Pg. 151 – 200

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Week 17: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture: “Close Reads 101”

Week 18: Mo 12.7 (LAST REGULAR DAY OF CLASS)

Class: Presentations
DUE: CLOSE READ (Note Monday due date)

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Celebrity News 11.10.15

• Justin Bieber's a good sport on UK's Chatty Man (Entertainment Tonight Canada)
• Deadspin illustrates why the NFL's Greg Hardy was arrested for assault (Deadspin)
• Also ... Domestic violence continues to plague the NFL and its players (Dallas Morning News)
• Colorado high school hit with sexting scandal involving dozens of students (People)
• Former pastor wages social media campaign against Starbuck's "hate" of Jesus (CNN)
• Viral video of the week: British daredevil scales the Eiffel Tower at night (YouTube)

Week 14

Week 14: Mo 11.9/We 11.11 (VETERANS DAY—NO CLASS)

Read: OWEN—Pg. 1 – 75 

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (Due Sat 11.14; submit via email by 5 PM) 

Upcoming:

Week 15: Mo 11.16/We 11.18
Read: OWEN—Pg. 76 - 150
Class: Watch—Smash His Camera (HBO, 2010)

Week 16: Mo 11.23/We 11.25 (THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS)
Read: OWEN—Pg. 151 – 200

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations

Week 17: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture: “Close Reads 101”

Week 18: Mo 12.7 (LAST REGULAR DAY OF CLASS)

Class: Presentations
DUE: CLOSE READ (Note Monday due date)

Week 19: Mo 12.14/We 12.16 (FINALS WEEK)

Sec. 1 Final Exam Time: Mo 12/14 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Sec. 7 Final Exam Time: We 12/16 from 7:15 – 9:30 AM

Class: Class review

Due: REFLECTION 8

Infographic: So You've Been Publicly Shamed

As Jon Ronson illustrates in So You've Been Publicly Shamed, Internet "justice"—in the Twitterverse, in particular—can be swift, harsh, and blunt. Our lives can  easily be ruined if social media decides we are villains. But unlike past generations that have utilized shaming as form of punishment, Internet shaming can follow an individual for the rest of their life. For this assignment, you will create an infographic illustrating the public shaming of a person profiled in Ronson's book. Your goal is to visually tell his or her shaming story. Draw only from So You've Been Publicly Shamed, for your central argument.

To help guide your design:

• "You Suck at Infographics" (Wired)
• "80 Best Infographics on the Web" (Creative Bloq)
• "What Makes a Great Infographic?" (DashBurst)
• "Infographics: Separating the Great from the Mediocre" (The Next Web)

All above articles are located in the eR.

Infographics are most easily utilized in PowerPoint (or a comparable program. Additionally, if you are experienced in it, you may also utilize Photoshop. This assignment must be delivered electronically.

Requirements:

• Include a works cited page

A well-executed infographic will:

• Have a title that articulates the goal of the assignment
• Have a concise thesis as the subheading—important
• Have a concise controlling argument dictating the design
• Visually translate perspectives and facts in a clear and enlightening manner
• Stay within the parameters of public shaming on Twitter

Due: Sat 11.14 (submit via email by 5 PM)

Celebrity News 11.3.15

• Celebrity Halloween costume roundup (E! News)
• Prince Harry comes to America (People)
• Celebrity men are baring their nipples to raise awareness for male breast cancer (PerezHilton)
• Justin Bieber storms offstage in Europe (dlisted)
• Halle Berry's exes smell blood after her split with Olivier Martinez (Huffington Post)
• Viral video of the week: High school calculus teacher gets his Drake on for Halloween (WGHP-TV)

 

Week 13

Week 13: Mo 11.2/We 11.4
Read: SHAMED—11. The Man Who Can Change the Google Search Results – 15. Your Speed; eR—“Infographics: Separating the Great from the Mediocre” (The Next Web), “What Makes a Great Infographic?” (DashBurst), “70 Best Infographics on the Web” (Creative Bloq), “You Suck at Infographics” (Wired); “Ron Galella, King of the Paparazzi” (Time)
Class: ENGLISH DEPT. ASSESSMENT; Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (SUBMIT VIA EMAIL BY 5 PM; INCLUDE FIRST DRAFT)

Upcoming:

Week 15: Mo 11.23/We 11.25 (THANKSGIVING—NO CLASS)
Read: OWEN—Pg. 76 - 150 

Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture: “Close Reads 101”

DUE: CLOSE READ (Due Mo 11/23; Note Monday due date)

Celebrity News 10.28.15

• South Carolina high school student violently assaulted by school cop in new viral video (CNN)
• The Khloé Kardashian-Lamar Odom divorce is off (People)
• Philadelphia boxer who was found to have done gay porn: I was drugged into participating (Philadelphia Enquirer)
• Adele smashes Taylor Swifts single-day viewing record with her new single, "Hello"  (Entertainment Weekly)
• Sofia Vergara in bitter dispute with ex-fiancee over fate of their embryos (Radar)
• Child's Pablo Escobar costume stirs controversy (Daily Mirror)

Reflection 7: En Masse—The "Instafamous" of Instagram

Since its inception only five years ago, Instagram has become a cultural phenomenon. And as with other social media platforms (e.g. Vine, YouTube, Twitter), some users shrewdly utilized Instagram to propel themselves to Internet fame, and even monetary gain. Thus, thanks to tens of thousands—even hundreds of thousands—of devoted followers, many users can rightly claim to be "instafamous." In some cases, followers of these amateur users' accounts rival those of firmly established celebrities. But is there a discernible formula for "instafame?" What do all "instafamous" users have in common? How does one stand out on a such a crowded Instagram field? For this reflection, look at the Instagram accounts of two of the following "instafamous" users:

• Dan Bilzerian (@danbilzerian)
• Coco Rocha (@cocorocha)
• Shawn Megira (@shawn_megira) 
• Acacia Brinley (@acaciabrinley)  
• Ryan Parilla (@novess)
• Anthony Danielle (@takinyerphoto)
• Mark Otto (@markotto)  
• Hailey Luntz (@haicat) 
• Luis R. Ruiz (@literaluis)
• David Mcintosh (@king_david85)
• Arianna Bowman (@Aritunechii)
• Rich Kids of Instagram (@richkidsofinstagram)
• Eugénie Grey (@feralcreature) 
• Tony Toutouni (@Lunatic_Living)
• Nash Grier (@nashgrier) 
• Jen Selter (@jenselter)
• Cameron Dallas (@camerondallas)

Include at least two of the following in your discussion:

• "Inside the World of the 'Instafamous'" (Washington Post)
• "The 'Insta-Famous' Sons and Daughters of New York's Elite Let Me into Their Circle — Here's What It Was Like" (Business Insider)
• "Demand for the 'Insta-Famous' Model Rises" (Daily Mail)
• "Here's How an Amateur Used Instagram to Become a Successful Pro Photographer" (Huffington Post) 
• "How These 6 All-Stars Turned Instagram into a Full-Time Job" (Elle)
• "The 50 Most Popular People on Instagram 2015" (TheRoosevelts)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• One full page in length
• Works cited page

Due:  Wed 11.4

Week 11

Week 11: Mo 10.19/We 10.21
Read: SHAMED—4. God That was Awesome – 6. Doing Something Good
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Most Common Grammatical Errors—And How to Avoid Them”
Due: REFLECTION 6

Upcoming:

Week 12: Mo 10.26/We 10.28
Read: SHAMED—7. Journey to a Shame-Free Paradise – 10. The Near Drowning of Mike Daisey
Class: English Dept. Assessment; Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 7

Celebrity News 10.21.15

• Lamar Odom recovering after he was found unconscious at Nevada brothel over the weekend (CNN)
• Brody Jenner shares video of woman at Walgreens who asks him, “Is Caitlyn your daddy?” (Instagram)
• Kate Middleton attends her first state dinner at Buckingham Palace (People)
• Lindsay Lohan may run for president in 2020 (Fox News)
• Chris Pratt and Anna Kendrick meet Billy on the Street (YouTube)
• Those times celebrities wore cringe-inducing Halloween costumes (Us)

Reflection 6: The Royal Treatment—If America Had a Royal Family

For many Americans, it is a point of pride that the United States has never had a monarchy. In fact, the mere idea of a royal family is generally considered un-American. Still, anti-monarchy sentiments are somewhat disingenuous because A) we are obsessed with the royal families of other countries, particularly Britain's and B) we celebrate so many dynastic American families as if they were true nobility (e.g. the Kennedys, Rockefellers). Additionally, we've elevated celebrities to the level of pseudo-royalty. Witness any major entertainment awards ceremony, and you'll see a parade of kings, queens, princes, and princesses. If we indeed have stand-in royalty in America, who are they? Who are those families and individuals that we regard as the British might their own royal family? And if the notion of royalty is so repugnant to American ideals, why are we so fascinated with them?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• The US May Have No Queen, but It Has More Royal Families than It Knows What to Do With" (Guardian) 
• "If the United States had a Royal Family, Which Family or Couple Would be Royalty?" (Reddit)
• "The Regal Republic: Why are Americans Obsessed with the Royal Family?" (Independent)
• "Piers Morgan: 'If You Love Our Royals so Much, America, Perhaps it's Time to Have a Monarchy of Your Own?" (Daily Mail)
• "America’s ‘Lost Monarchy’: The Man Who Would Be King" (Newsweek)
• "America’s Obsession With Royalty Started With Princess Diana" (New York Times)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• One full page in length
• Works cited page

Due:  Wed 10.28

Multimedia Presentations, Sec. 7 (Updated Schedule)

Find the original assignment here.

Week 12: Mo 10.26/We 10.28

1. Matej M. and Justin G. – The Legend of Billy the Kid
2. Zan J. and Diana D. - The Life and Times of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico  
3. Paige S., Darriell F.,  and Aspyn A. - FF: Fifty Shades of Grey and the World of Fan Fiction

Week 14: Mo 11.9

1. Selena R., Megan S. and Alec R. - Legendary Hoaxes: The Surgeon’s Photograph, The War of the Worlds, and Ballon Boy
2. Nada H. and Gabriel L. - The Reality of Reality TV 
3. Jaspreet S. and Taylor R. - Mark David Chapman: The Man Who Killed John Lennon 

Week 16: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

1. Derrick S. and Patrick O. - Entertainment for Men: Hugh Hefner and the History of Playboy
2. Maria R., Quynh P., and Taylor M. - No Laughing Matter: The Fatty Arbuckle Scandal
3. Bharath K. and Armand M. - "The Crime of the Century": The Lindbergh Kidnapping

Multimedia Presentations, Sec. 1 (Updated Schedule)

Find the original assignment here.

Week 12: Mo 10.26/We 10.28

1. Cooper D. and Diana M. - FF: Fifty Shades of Grey and the World of FanFiction
2. Aiden L. and Jocelyne S. – The Reality of Reality TV
3. Savannah M. - Entertainment for Men: Hugh Hefner and the History of Playboy

Week 13: Mo 11.2/We 11.4

1. Jennifer C. and Joseph M. - Eight Men Out: The Black Sox Scandal
2. Madison C. and Guadalupe R. - "The Crime of the Century": The Lindbergh Kidnapping 
3. Cole H. and Sam E. – I Heard the News Today: The Assassination of John Lennon 

Week 14: Mo 11.9

1. Ann G. and Alyssa K. - John Hinckley Jr.: Jodie Foster Stalker and Would-Be Presidential Assassin
2. Catherine K. and John D. - The Celluloid Closet: Being Gay During Hollywood’s Golden Age

Week 16: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

1. Kaliph Z. and Jhonnatan R. - The Life and Times of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico
2. Cody Y., Dzu B., and Emily d L. – No Laughing Matter: The Fatty Arbuckle Scandal
3. Brian H. and Junior M. – The Life and Times of Marilyn Monroe 

Week 10

Week 10: Mo 10.19/We 10.21
Read: SHAMED—1. Braveheart – 3. The Wilderness
Class: CLOSE READ; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“Close Reads: A How-To”
Due: REFLECTION 5

Upcoming:

Week 11: Mo 10.19/We 10.21
Read: SHAMED—4. God That was Awesome – 6. Doing Something Good
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“The Most Common Grammatical Errors—And How to Avoid Them”
Due: REFLECTION 6

Reflection 5: Flagrant Fouls—When Athletes Behave Badly

As Lance Armstrong's infamous 2013 doping confession reminded us, professional athletes are people, too. And just like people, they sometimes do bad things.  However, in the past twenty years, pro athletes have been involved in a variety of scandals, including sexual assault (Mike Tyson, Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger), steroids (Mark McGuire), illegal betting (Pete Rose), sexting (Brett Favre, Metta World Peace (AKA Ron Artest), drunk driving (Charles Barkley, Aldon Smith), drug possession (Jennifer Capriati, Daryl Strawberry), sexual harassment (New York Jets), infidelity (David Beckham, Tiger Woods), dogfighting (Michael Vick), bounty rings (New Orleans Saints), domestic violence (Tito Ortiz, Hope Solo, Ray McDonald, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin), prostitution (Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo, Alex Rodriguez), assault (Tonya Harding, Jason "Mayhem" Miller), and even murder (OJ Simpson). Still, in the court of public opinion, some athletes transgressions are judged more harshly than others. Some athletes have the ability to sail past scandal (e.g. Michael Phelps), while others' images remain permanently impaired (e.g. Barry Bonds). What is the line between what fans can forgive and what they cannot forget? Has a favorite athlete of yours ever been embroiled in controversy? If so, did you continue to support him or her?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Michael Vick Will Forever be the Most Disliked Player in the NFL" (USA Today)
• Out of Control Athletes: Why Do We Forgive Them?" (KATU)
• "Terry Bradshaw is Fed Up with the NFL's Domestic Violence Problem" (Huffington Post)
• "'How Could You?': The Fan's Response to Athletes Behaving Badly" (Psychology Today) 
• "Sports: Where (Almost) All of Your Sins are Forgiven, Maybe" (The Sports Manifesto)
• "Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and American Athlete Worship" (The Sports Fan Journal)

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• Two full pages in length
• Works cited page

Due:  Wed 10.21

Celebrity News 10.12.15

• Paparazzi snap nude photos of Justin Bieber on vacation—Internet breaks down (People)
• Also: Bette Midler goes after Bieber's dad for his lewd Twitter comments (HollwyoodLife)
• And: Is there a double-standard at play with Bieber's nudes? (E!)
• Jared Leto visits New York Comic Con in disguise (Comicbook.com)
• California bans paparazzi drones over celebrity homes (Slate)
• Selena Gomez's revelation: "I was diagnosed with lupus, and I've been through chemotherapy" (People)
 

Week 9

Week 9: Mo 10.5/We 10.7
Read: FAME—6. When Reflected Glory Isn't Enough: Confessions of an Upwardly Mobile Celebrity ‘Slave’ – 8. Conclusion: Some Reflections from Hollywood's Premier Retirement Home
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY OUTLINE

Upcoming:

Week 10: Mo 10.19/We 10.21
Read: SHAMED—1. Braveheart – 3. The Wilderness
Class: CLOSE READ; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lecture—“Close Reads: A How-To”
Due: REFLECTION 5

Expository: Fame Junkies

In his introduction to Fame Junkies, Jake Halpern writes:

Anyone who has ever been in the limelight, even for participating in a high school musical or telling a good story at a cocktail party, can attest to the fact that there is a rush that comes with commanding everyone’s attention. Isn’t it possible that this feeling is, in fact, addictive? Isn’t it possible that many behaviors related to fame—including becoming famous, being near the famous, and even reading about the famous—trigger a rush, a high, or even a numbing effect that is potentially addictive?

In a concise outline, illustrate some of the obsessive lengths the famous (and not-so-famous) go to to feed this addiction to celebrity. What drives them to so fervently pursue fame? How does their desire to simply be famous differ from a desire to be recognized for their talents or accomplishments? Finally, can their pursuit of fame really be likened to an addiction? Cite specific evidence from Fame Junkies to support your thesis.

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• Include a works cited page

Due: Wed 10.14

Celebrity News 10.6.15

• This week's most hated man in America is: Geris Hilton of Atlanta
• Model sues Bill Cosby over alleged assault, suit calls him a "serial rapist" (TheWrap)
• Author Stephanie Meyer switches genders of Edward and Bella for special tenth anniversary edition of Twilight (CNN)
• Kylie Jenners snaps her "bomb" Spanx from Target (Mashable)
• Ariana Grande "accidentally" posts video of her and Liz Gilles locking lips on Instagram (MTV News)
• #polishedman: Why men are painting a single finger nail (Yahoo! News)

Week 8

Week 8: Tu 10.6/Th 10.8
Read: FAME—3. A Home for the Famous and Almost Famous – 5. The Desire to Belong: Why Everyone Wants to Have Dinner with Paris Hilton and 50 Cent
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Excerpts from $ellebrity (Showtime); Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: REFLECTION 4

Upcoming:

Week 9: Mo 10.5/We 10.7
Read: FAME—6. When Reflected Glory Isn't Enough: Confessions of an Upwardly Mobile Celebrity ‘Slave’ – 8. Conclusion: Some Reflections from Hollywood's Premier Retirement Home
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: EXPOSITORY (ANNOTATED—INSTRUCTIONS TO BE GIVEN IN CLASS PRIOR TO DUE DATE)

Celebrity News 10.3.15

• Katie Perry groped by fan onstage in Brazil (Rolling Stone)
• Gwyneth Paltrow encourages Goop followers to buy $350 T-shirts, says women "will want 17 of them" (Daily Mail)
• Instagram model says she makes more money from a single selfie than from four days of work (Daily Mirror)
• Madonna's under-21 daughter, Lourdes, seen drinking at her mother's Detroit concert (Irish Independent)
• Gone viral: A man's emotional reaction to learning of his wife's pregnancy (KTLA)
• What have we done to deserve this?: Honey Boo Boo debuts rap single (Daily Mail)

Reflection 4: The "Exclusive" Inside Story—Exploring Tabloid Magazines

People currently has the ninth largest circulation in the United States, and earns a staggering $100 million yearly in advertising revenue. What this speaks to is the popularity of celebrity-fueled tabloid magazines in America. With all the twists and turns of a Mexican soap opera, tabloid magazines have created a large and loyal following. But what is at the core of their immense popularity? For this reflection, examine two of the six major American tabloids (People, Us, Star, In Touch, Ok!, and Life & Style). In your analysis, decipher the mass appeal of these magazines. Specifically, what are some of the techniques they employ to get readers to come back week after week? What is the lure for readers? Finally, how would you characterize their treatment of celebrities, and is there anything in the magazines that you believe crosses the line?

For this reflection, examine two of the following magazines:

• People
• Us 
• Star 
• In Touch
• Ok! 
• Life & Style

Note: You are NOT required to purchase any of these magazines. You must simply spend some time examining them. Also, look only at the print versions; web editions will not suffice for this reflection. 

Requirements:

• MLA Style
• One page in length
• Works cited page

Due: We 10.7

Week 7

Week 7: Mo 9.28/We 9.30
Read: FAME—Introduction – 2. Mobs of Fame-Starved Children
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Excerpts from Living with Michael Jackson (ITV/ABC)
Due: EDITORIAL (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK AND A ONE PARAGRAPH SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES YOU MADE FOR YOUR FINAL DRAFT)

Upcoming:

Week 8: Tu 10.6/Th 10.8
Read: FAME—3. A Home for the Famous and Almost Famous – 5. The Desire to Belong: Why Everyone Wants to Have Dinner with Paris Hilton and 50 Cent
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Excerpts from $ellebrity (Showtime); Lecture—“On Wordiness: Exercises”
Due: REFLECTION 4

Celebrity News 9.26.15

• This week's most hated man in America: Martin Shkreli (Chicago Tribune)
• Azealia Banks' airplane tantrum caught on tape (USA Today) 
• Ryan Reynolds: A close friend tried to sell photos o my daughter (NBC News)
• Are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie about to adopt Syrian refugees? (Daily Mail)
• Report: Suicides increase after a celebrity kills him or herself (Medical Daily)
• The ups and downs of love: Man proposes to girlfriend on a roller coaster (People) 

Week 6

Week 6: Mo 9.21/We 9.23
Read: eR—“Investigation of 'Celebgate' Nude Photo Leak Leads to this Midwest City” (Fortune), “Misogyny is Not Human Nature” (Slate), “The Sex Crime We Need to Talk About” (Elle Australia)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop
Due: EDITORIAL (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES)

Upcoming:

Week 7: Mo 9.28/We 9.30
Read: FAME—Introduction – 2. Mobs of Fame-Starved Children
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Watch—Excerpts from Living with Michael Jackson (ITV/ABC)
Due: EDITORIAL (FINAL DRAFT—ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK AND A ONE PARAGRAPH SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES YOU MADE FOR YOUR FINAL DRAFT)

Editorial: Life After the "Fappening"

On August 31st, 2014, dozens of female celebrities found many of their most intimate photos simultaneously released online by hackers. Crudely dubbed the "Fappening," the events of that day (and subsequent waves) represent the single largest breach of celebrity privacy in history. Within hours, celebrities worldwide were scrambling to contain the damage. Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence went to far as to call her hacking a "sex crime." However, nearly all of the images of that day remain readily available on the Internet over a year later. But major security breaches have not been limited to celebrities. In the aftermath of the "Fappening," we've seen major security breaches from Snapchat and AshleyMadison.com—with the former, the "Snappening" involved the release of photos and videos of some 200,000 users, while the latter saw the personal information of over 30 million users compromised. What should should Americans learn from these attacks? For example, which is more troubling, that so many of us rushed to see the hacked material, or that so many were indifferent to plight of these women? In a concise editorial, consider the implications of living in a post-"Fappening" world.

Cite from the following texts below to support your thesis:

• “The Jennifer Lawrence Leak: Who is at Risk Now?” (New Yorker)
• “What We Should Learn from ‘The Fappening’ (A Lesson in Security Design)” (Medium)
• “Don't Blame Sh**ty Technology for the Fappening” (Vice)
• “Investigation of 'Celebgate' Nude Photo Leak Leads to this Midwest City” (Fortune)
• “Misogyny is Not Human Nature” (Slate)
• “The Sex Crime We Need to Talk About” (Elle Australia)

 Remember, an editorial expresses an opinion on a current issue. It may take a formal or informal tone, but its primary goal is always to persuade readers. Because editorials were born in newspapers, they are traditionally succinct in form and can often carry the "voice" of the author. 

Sample editorials from around the country:

• "Donald Trump is an Aimless, Angry Leader" (Washington Post)
• "Refusal to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses is Not an Expression of Religious Liberty" (New Haven Register)
• "A Shameful Response in Europe to the Refugee Crisis in North Africa and Mideast" (Los Angeles Times)
• "Overreaction in Clock-Bomb Mix-Up has Chilling Effect" (Dallas Morning News)

The best papers will:

• Have a title that articulates its point of view
• Stay within the parameters of the subject matter
• Have a concise thesis which outlines a clear position
• Be written in a voice that is casual, yet informed
• Clearly support their theses with solid evidence and a logical structure, thoughtfully citing from the articles above
• Conclude with a summation of the argument
• Properly cite evidence using MLA's parenthetical citation method
• Are in compliance with MLA Style

Requirements:

• 2-3 pages in length
• MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
• Works cited page

Due: Wed 9.23 (Draft 1: Bring 2 copies); Wed 9.30 (Final draft: Attach draft 1 to back AND a one paragraph summary of the changes you made between drafts)

Celebrity News 9.17.15

• #HotDebateGuy: Social media implodes over attractive man in audience at GOP debates (Us)
• Maybe you have too much money?: Millionaire recreates Bruce Wayne's underground garage from the Dark Knight films (Yahoo News!)
• Chris Brown investigated for another alleged assault on a woman (TMZ) 
• Earning $44 million, Gisele Bundchen tops Forbes' 2015 list of highest paid models (Forbes) 
• Architectural Digest highlights show-stopping celebrity bath tubs (Huffington Post)
• US mom takes on Universal Music over viral video (ABC News)

 

Week 5

Week 5: Mo 9.14/We 9.16
Read: eR—“The Jennifer Lawrence Leak: Who is at Risk Now?” (New Yorker), “What We Should Learn from ‘The Fappening’ (A Lesson in Security Design)” (Medium), “Don't Blame Sh**ty Technology for the Fappening” (Vice)
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lectures—“Better Reading101” and “Citing Sources in MLA 101”
Due: REFLECTION 3

Upcoming:

Week 6: Mo 9.21/We 9.23
Read: eR—“Investigation of 'Celebgate' Nude Photo Leak Leads to this Midwest City” (Fortune), “Misogyny is Not Human Nature” (Slate), “The Sex Crime We Need to Talk About” (Elle Australia)
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations; Writers workshop
Due: EDITORIAL (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES)

Celebrity News 9.8.15

• Dentist Steven Palmer, infamous killer of Cecil the Lion, breaks his silence, maintains his innocence (NBCNews)
• Step aside Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift is now the most-followed Instagram celebrity (MusicTimes)
• Offensive to many, "Caitlin Jenner" Halloween costume is said to be "great" by the real Caitlin Jenner (PerezHilton)
• After 63 years, Queen Elizabeth II officially becomes the longest reigning British monarch (BBC News)
• Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner's ex-nanny allegedly planning a tell-all book (Ok!)
• Scandal brewing at NFL over an alleged "Spygate" cover-up (Time) 

Reflection 3: Doors Swung Open—The Ethics of Outing

Outing is the act of disclosing a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person's sexual orientation, or gender identity, without his or her consent. In the days of old Hollywood, closeted stars had to contend with not only the rise of an unscrupulous tabloid press, but an American society overwhelmingly unsympathetic to homosexuals. In the 21st century, however, gays have gained unprecedented mainstream acceptance. Today, many performers, athletes, and politicians now often live openly as homosexuals. Still, not all of today's public figures are comfortable coming out of the closet. Those who chose not to openly disclose their sexual orientation, must rely on public charades, clandestine lifestyles, and the good graces of the gay community. Sometimes, their secrets are safe. Other times, they might find themselves publicly outed. Reasons to out a gay public figure vary, but it in every case an individual is robbed of the choice to reveal a very personal aspect of his or her life. Do you believe outing is acceptable? Is it a necessary evil, or a loathable practice? For example, can a case be made to out an A-list celebrity or Washington politician if his or her outing would help the overall visibility of homosexuals in American society? Must some people's privacy be sacrificed for the greater good? Finally, what of closeted homophobes? Are they fair game—and who decides?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Outing the Hypocrisy of Outing" (Time)
• "Outing Rep. Aaron Schock is Completely Acceptable" (Huffington Post)
• "Ex-NFL Player Kwame Harris Hopes Outing Helps Gay Athletes" (Sports Illustrated)
• "The Case for Outing Closeted Politicians" (Salon)
• "The Case Against Outing Gay Politicians" (Newsweek)
• "When is Outing Justified?" (New York Times)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: We 9.16

Week 4

One Direction

Week 4 Mo 9.7 (LABOR DAY—NO CLASS)/We 9.9
Read: eR—“Students Set Course: How Do You Want To Be Remembered?” (Hartford Courant), Excerpts from “The 100 Years Project” (DanaRoc.com), “Song for the Special” (Yale Daily News) Class: Reading discussion; Lecture—“Crafting the Essay: Writing as a Process”

Upcoming:

Week 5: Mo 9.14/We 9.16
Read: eR—“The Jennifer Lawrence Leak: Who is at Risk Now?” (New Yorker), “What We Should Learn from ‘The Fappening’ (A Lesson in Security Design)” (Medium), “Don't Blame Sh**ty Technology for the Fappening” (Vice)
Class: AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL; Reading discussion; Presentations; Lectures—“Better Reading101” and “Citing Sources in MLA 101”
Due: REFLECTION 3

Celebrity News 9.3.15

• Miley Cyrus goes undercover on Jimmy Kimmel to find out what America really thinks of her (CNN)
• Also ... Cyrus comes out as "pansexual" in Elle UK (ThisWeek)
• Taylor Swift duets with Friends' Phoebe Buffay (AKA Lisa Kudrow) to cover "Smelly Cat" (Chicago Tribune)
• Wrestling legend, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, to be charged with the murder of his girlfriend (TMZ)
• Fans pay tribute to horror director Wes Craven in a unique way (Time)
• Kylie Jenner starts her anti-bullying campaign (#IAmMoreThan) on Instagram (People)

Multimedia Presentations, Sec. 7

As you know, this semester you and a classmate will be responsible for a 10-minute multimedia presentation and class hand-out.

You have now been randomly assigned a partner, a date, and a topic. Some time will be given in class to trade your topic, if you should so desire. 

Requirements:

• The work distribution is up to each group, though it should be somewhat equitable
• The presentation must be approximately 10 minutes in length—everyone must present at least part of the time
• There should be 10-12 slides, including at least one video clip (no more than 2-3 minutes in length)
• You must provide a handout related to or outlining your presentation (sent via email) 
• On the day of your presentation, email both your presentation (or a link) and handout to me at dhdelao@gmail.com.

You may utilize any presentation program you like (e.g PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote). However, please sort out any technical issues before your presentation date (our room's projection system can be found throughout campus). Groups may be docked for a lack of preparedness.

The best presentations will:

• Have an introductory slide which contextualizes the topic—very important 
• Use words economically 
• Include visually interesting illustrations—gifs are also acceptable
• Avoid a heavy use of animation and effects 
• Have a style that complements the subject matter and strikes the appropriate tone
• Engage the class through a conversational style, utilizing questions and/or activities
• Embed a relevant video or audio clip (e.g. YouTube, SoundCloud)—ad blockers are also helpful in saving time
• Conclude with a slide that summarizes the topic—also very important

This is an opportunity to be creative, so feel free to have fun with the visual layout of your presentation.

Lower scoring presentations might:

• Begin without an introductory slide and/or fail to offer any context upfront
• Be thinly researched
• Allow visuals to overrun their content, or lack a cohesive style
• Fail to engage the class in any meaningful way—this is often achieved by reading an entire presentation
• Lack multimedia
• End without a concluding slide

Remember, you must provide your own laptop. Also, Macs will require an Apple-specific adapter to connect to the university’s projection system. Newer model PCs with HDMI-only connections will also require special adapters.

Presentation Schedule:

Week 6: Mo 9.21/We 9.23

Michael V. and Sendy T. - The People’s Princess: Diana, Princess of Wales

Week 7: Mo 9.28/We 9.30

1. Jaspreet S. and Taylor R. - Mark David Chapman: The Man Who Killed John Lennon

2. Zan J. and Diana D. - The Life and Times of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico

Week 8: Tu 10.6/Th 10.8

Bharath K. and Armand M. - "The Crime of the Century": The Lindbergh Kidnapping

Week 9: Mo 10.5/We 10.7

Nada H. and Gabriel L. - The Reality of Reality TV

Week 10: Mo 10.12/We 10.14

Luis G. and Anne C. - So, I Won a Realty TV Competition: American Idol, America’s Next Top Model, and The Bachelor

Week 11: Mo 10.19/We 10.21

Paige S., Darriell F.,  and Aspyn A. - FF: Fifty Shades of Grey and the World of Fan Fiction

Week 12: Mo 10.26/We 10.28

Matej M. and Justin G. – The Legend of Billy the Kid

Week 14: Mo 11.9

Selena R., Megan S. and Alec R. - Legendary Hoaxes: The Surgeon’s Photograph, The War of the Worlds, and Ballon Boy

Week 16: Mo 11.30/We 12.2

1. Derrick S. and Patrick O. - Entertainment for Men: Hugh Hefner and the History of Playboy

2. Maria R., Quynh P., and Taylor M. - No Laughing Matter: The Fatty Arbuckle Scandal