Stockton Rhetoric & Composition Class #3: January 23, 2019

BEFORE CLASS:
Read and listen to everything due from class #2.

Have questions from your readings Shoeless Joe, Purdue OWL Guide to Narratives

ClASS AGENDA:

1. Grammar Inventory
2. Reading Quiz #1
3. 5 Minute Personality Test & Discussion
4. Usage Quiz
5. Discussion of Invisibilia podcast and assignment review

READING QUIZ #1

1. What is “Rhetoric?” Give an example of it from real life.
2. Identify three things Ray loves (from Shoeless Joe Chapter One). For each thing, provide at least one sentence describing how you know Ray loves this thing.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Informal Writing #1 (This assignment need not be shared with me. Save it to transcribe on to your blog when we create them)

Consider the themes and over-arching ideas presented in the Invisibilia podcast. Then listen to the podcast here, conducted by NPR’s Fresh Air program. It is an interview with Kevin Hart. Hart was recently embroiled in a controversy involving sexuality. He said some things ten years ago on social media, was condemned for it, stepped down from hosting the Oscars, apologized, and seems to be moving on from it all (his movie has been #1 at the box office for a few weeks now). If you are unfamiliar with this course of events, there’s a pretty good primer for it all on Salon.

***If you are short on time, consider beginning this interview at 11 minutes in order to get to the part of the interview that matters to our discussion.  

Considering both Hart’s story and apology and the “call out” culture described in the previous podcast, write a full page reaction to what you have read/heard. Consider one or all of the following questions:

1. Does the current “call out” culture provide more of a benefit or a deterrent for us as a society?
2. If “calling out” stops heinous crimes and curbs unfair behavior, does that make it warranted?
3. How do you feel about “shaming” as a deterrent in general? Think “Megan’s Law” and public sex offender registries.
4. How does “forgiveness” factor into “call out culture?” How important is growth and forgiveness? Do you believe Kevin Hart?
5. Is it different for comedy? In other words, is it “ok to joke” about sensitive issues? Can comedians expect different treatment in these politically correct times?
6. Do you believe we live in more politically correct times? Is that generally a good or bad thing for us culturally?
7. I am interested in this idea of funny vs. offensive. Are the rules different? Should they be?