A seminar satisfying the second half of the Reading & Composition requirement, R4B offers structured and sustained practice in the processes used in reading, critical analysis, and writing. Students engage with thematically-related materials from a range of genres and media. In response, they craft short pieces leading to longer expository and/or argumentative essays. Students develop a research question, draft a research essay, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Elements of the research process--a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an abstract, a works cited list, etc.--are submitted with the final report in a research portfolio. Students write a minimum of 32 pages of prose.

Who are we? How do our tools filter how we see the world -- and shape what are we becoming? We’ll examine surreal, funny, strange, heartbreaking work that grapples with the complexities of society’s relationship with technology. We’ll read multimedia longform journalism on our inhumanity toward robots and the desire to revive our dead friends; the history of trolls, memes and tumblr teens; post-apocalyptic humor as theatre of the absurd; satirical short works on consumer trends run amok; darkly hilarious animated television with surprising depth; creative nonfiction, short fiction, graphic novel excerpts, and academic writing that explore the boundaries of the playful, the thoughtful, and the grotesque. You’ll work with a number of digital platforms, have rich discussions with your peers, develop stronger analytical skills, and conduct research on a sustained project of your own choosing: the complexity of internet shaming / social media / music / memory / mortality / immigration / travel / gender / gentrification / dating / education / environment / conspiracies / [insert your passion here!]. Book List: Texts: Nearly all of our reading will be free, smaller, digital excerpts and articles collected by me in the Digital Course Reader on bCourses. Craft of Research (Booth) -- EAN 9780226239736 Digital Course Reader (free, accessible on our class bCourses site) Films & Video: clips from Get Out, Bojack Horseman, Rick & Morty, Black Mirror, Westworld, Wall-E

Enrollment is restricted to students who have satisfied the first half of the Reading and Composition requirement. This course satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.

Requisites

• Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills