Research Topics

Please post a brief description of your research project including the following: 1) name of photograph(s) and/or photographer, 2) brief description of photograph's subject/context, and 

3) what you will argue this photograph(s) social, cultural, political, and/or historical impact has been.

An Oblique Glance

Lister and Wells assert that context and the venue in which it a particular image is encountered by the viewer influences his/her interpretation of it.  This photograph by Robert Doisneau was taken in 1948 post WW II Paris.  It depicts a couple looking into an art gallery window.  What is your interpretation of this photograph?  Is there anything unusual/interesting about it?  What?  Why?

Photographs

In their essay Seeing Beyond Belief:  Cultural Studies as an Approach to Analysing the Visual Lister and Wells explore how culture, social circumstances, history, and semiotics impact how meaning, pleasure, and power are articulated through specific images.  Examine the photograph at right and comment on what you see.  What does this photograph mean to you?  Why?

Fact or Fiction?

Angela Carter skillfully weaves fact and fiction in her account of the Fall River Axe murders.  After reviewing newspaper articles and/or trial testimonies from 1893, how well do you think she used factual details to support her fictional version of events?

Fact or Fiction?

Angela Carter skillfully weaves fact and fiction in her account of the Fall River Axe murders.  After reviewing newspaper accounts and/or trial transcripts from 1893, how well do you think she used fictional details about factual events in order to support her argument?

Who's Our Narrator?

Angela Carter never explicitly identifies the narrator of her short story, but she gives the reader several "clues."  Who do you think our narrator is, and what "clues" can you identify in the text to support your claim?

Who's Our Narrator?

Angela Carter never explicitly identifies the narrator of her short story, but she give several "clues."  Who do you think the narrator is, and what clues can you point to as evidence to support your claim?

Lizzie Borden - Villain or Victim?

In this unit we will be looking at how evidence is connected to claims.  In her short story, The Fall River Ae Murders, Angela Carter weaves facts with fiction to create an argument that Lizzie Borden killed her father and stepmother.  What is the most convincing evidence she provides to substantiate her claim?  Can you determine whether it is fact or fiction?  And, does she succeed in convincing you that Lizzie is an axe murderer?

The Process of Hero-making

James Loewen quotes Charles V. Willie at the beginning of his essay, "Handicapped by History: the Process of Hero-making."  How do you think history will remember Michael Phelps and his historic performance at the Beijing Olympic Games?  How has "the process of hero-making" that Loewen describes affected what you think of Phelps?  Do you think he and his legacy will fall victim to "heroification"?  And finally, consider how this quote applies to Michael Phelps:

By idolizing those whom we honor, we do a disservice both to them and to ourselves . . .We fail to recognize that we could go and do likewise.

Another Olympic American Hero

Now that you have formed and written an academic opinion about Michael Phelps, I would like you to briefly examine the life of another great Olympic athlete, Jesse Owens. Please go to www.JesseOwens.com where you will find biographical information about Owens. I would also encourage you to look further for information about him if you have questions that are not answered in this piece. In addition, please view the two YouTube videos about Owens posted on Blackboard and then post a comment on how you think his Olympic experience compares with Michael Phelps'. Both men have been called American Heroes. Do you think these men are equally deserving of the title? Why? Why not?

Blog Entries

Some of you have had trouble posting comments to the blog.  If you were unable to post your comments, please print a copy, and we will address these problems in class.

Michael Phelps - The Greatest Olympic Swimmer Ever?

This week your editing group selected articles from around the world covering Michael Phelps' record setting performance at the Beijing Olympics.  Please view the YouTube video link below and then comment on how language and image are used to elicit reactions in readers/viewers.

YouTube Video - Phelps