Suggestions on readings for my students

[blonndee]

I teach freshman comp at the university (I'm a GTA) and I'm trying to come up with some ideas for brief articles for them to read for the next unit. We're going to do an evaluation argument, and today I asked them for input about topics they'd like to read about. (I always tell them I run more of a 'democratic' classroom and so it's interactive and I try to give them a lot of say in what we do and what they read, so that's always fun).

Anyway, they like the typical things like music, sports, video games, fashion, etc., but they're also interested in certain political issues like the NSA spying scandal and lobbying, same-sex marriage, cell phone privacy, also in things like medical breakthroughs, the Iraq War and a *little* foreign policy, stuff like that. What I want to do is look at cultural/social issues associated with things they're interested in, while not being overly theoretical or preachy.

I know this is a broad request and I'll be searching through The Chronicle, the Progressive, Utne, Bitch mag, and stuff I have around here, but if any of you DUers can think of any neat, short (current)articles off the top of your head that might work, I'd love to have some suggestions.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Make it interesting

Get an article from The Onion. :)

[blonndee]

2. LOL Actually, that's an interesting idea.

I wonder if I could use The Onion in some sort of exercise... evaluating sources, maybe? Definitely in some sort of larger "media" project. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. I think it would be fun to have them do their own parodies

There are so many good parody news sources you can use for research and inspiration. Jon Stewart, The Onion, Landover Baptist, white house.gov, . . .

This is making me wish I taught older kids. It could be a fun project. :)

[yellowdogmi]

3. The best I can do

My two favorite books. The nice thing is that they can read short portions of the first one.
Tales from Margaritaville --Some nice thoughts in there that remind me of the connectedness of all of us. Jimmy Buffett
The Monkey Wrench Gang --Just for it's stand on the environment. Edward Abbey

On Edit. I had to read again what you were looking for. The MWG is kind of provocative and timely.

[blonndee]

5. Thank you. I've never heard of that so I'll definitely look into

it.

[catnhatnh]

4. Actually...there is a recent (breaking news) thread...

...downthread on Male circumcision protecting females from aids infection in Africa...If you read the article and my post you will find the article poorly supports it's own conclusions from the point of view of standard math...this might better fit a class in logic or statistics,but it would be interesting to see if any of your students objected to the conclusions...

[blonndee]

6. Cool, thanks! I'll check it out.

It's sometimes good for them to read arguments with problems; in fact, their textbook definitely has some less-than-perfect readings. It's good for discussion and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. At the very least, maybe that article could go along with a discussion of logical fallacies, which we'll be doing soon. Thanks again.

[phoebe]

7. anything by Ann Fagan Ginger

Ann Fagan Ginger (born July 11, 1925) is a nationally-known American lawyer, teacher, writer, and political activist. She is a founder and the executive director of the Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute.

Ginger practiced law for many years in Berkeley, California. She has been a visiting professor of law at a number of schools in California and Washington. She is the author of many books and articles, and lectures widely. She is an expert in civil liberties law and peace law under the statutes of the United States and the United Nations. Ginger has argued and won before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ann Fagan Ginger is the first wife of historian and author Ray Ginger (1924–1975).

check out this website and see what you can find

http://www.mcli.org/

[blonndee]

9. Okay good, thanks for the link! Sounds

like a good source.

[bling bling]

8. Jonathan Alter almost always provides thought-provoking articles.

His articles appear semi-regularly in Newsweek. Also, Anna Quindlen and George Will rotate authoring the "Last Word" column each week in Newsweek. Quindlen's articles are more moderate or left-leaning and Will's are more conservative.

[blonndee]

10. Thanks bb. n/t

[Greyhound]

12. Maybe too political but there's been lots of news out of Venezuela

in the world press lately. Perhaps a contrast between international coverage and stories and the relative dearth in the US media.?.

[blonndee]

13. Oooh that is a good idea. I really want to have a day or two

on media, thanks for the tip!!!