Thursday, December 9, 2010

En 12: Notes from Thursday, 9 Dec

I thought the readings of Act III, scenes iii-iv were very well done: there were few mispronounced words and those who read were able to put some good emotion into their parts - bravo.

I hate shortened blocks - I had hoped to finish our discussion of Act III and look towards Act IV (which has many short scenes - ask yourself what dramatic effect these short scenes would have).  We'll assign reading parts for the last two acts, tomorrow.  I've decided to come in so that we can move forward - it's a sick person who feels he can't be replaced (pardon the pun).

I'm worried that some people are going to lower their grades because they're not doing their journal blogging?  Any ideas?  Am I being too paternalistic?  HELP.

17 comments:

  1. In regard to the second novel study,
    I personally like the sounds of the book you said you read recently, "The Fallen", but the idea of leaving with a book for christmas break and coming back having completed it doesn't really appeal to me. I'd like to meet at least twice throughout the book to talk about it because I always find that the discussions in lit studies brings my attention to things I don't normally focus on. Would those wanting to participate be willing to meet twice over the christmas break to discuss whatever book we choose?

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  2. Well to start off I really enjoyed act III. When Hamlet killed Polonius and told his mother of his uncle's crime it really got me too the point of thinking well what's going to happen next. In addition when hamlet was talking to his mother but also trying to show her the ghost, it made me wonder if she was going to believe everything he had said before because of his now insane actions.

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  3. I would really enjoy doing "the fallen" for a novel study. With regards to Mitch's concern I think that we could meet after every chapter... Over the blog! :) Also I believe that the students who aren't doing there blog posts have their own reason's like: not having much to say or forgetting to do it etc... You cannot "make" someone do something. You have clearly stated that we are being marked on our participation and that's pretty much all you can do without being too paternalistic. Furthermore, I am delighted with Hamlet thus far and look forward to finishing up within the next week. Now that Polonius is gone I am hoping that Claudius will slither his way down to Polonius' knavish level because there has to be a vile knave! Finally, I enjoyed the ghost's part in being Hamlets conscience because Hamlet was truly being crazy at that point.

    I look forward to the assigning of roles tomorrow and Mr. Marshall remember about our "arrangement."

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  4. I thought ActIII was more interesting than recent events, with Polonius dead and Hamlet trying to get his mother to see the ghost, he now not only seems crazy to the audience but also insane to everyone around him in the play. After reading this last scene I wonder what will happen to Hamlet as he seems to be insane to the public eye. Who is going to believe what Cladius did if it's heard from Hamlet now?

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  5. After act three my main thought is, "finally! Polonius is dead". Polonius was a tedious character who seemed, in my opinion, to get in the way of the plot on many occasions. It is hard to get closer to the climax involving Claudius and Hamlet when Polonius is constantly drawing attention to (often) falsities. Mr Marshall spoke of how the plot of the play spreads out then comes together and then repeats. In my opinion, it was Polonius that was doing most of the diverging of the plot. For example, Polonius brought much attention to Ophelia's love for Hamlet, and their relationship. This was entirely unnecessary, as it was not this at all that was eating at Hamlet and there are many other examples of Polonius misinterpreting situations and acting on these misinterpretations.Hamlet did right in killing him, even if it was by accident, and he certainly set his deranged mother straight. Hamlet is not one to be downtrodden, even by his own parents. Hamlet may be crazy, but he is still intelligent and has many things correct.

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  6. I think that journal blogging is a great idea. However, i think we may be taking i a little more seriously than is necessary. I like the idea of us sharing our ideas over blogging cause its efficient and we can all voice our opinions at times that are appropriate for us. I think it may be a bit unnecessary for us to look at the blog everyday and comment everyday on it. Sometimes, i just dont have anything to say or ive already said what i felt i needed to say in class. To me it seems that were using the blog for the purpose of being "modern" and not actually using it for learning in some cases. Im totally up for using the blog, but for me everyday is not necessary.

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  7. I completely agree with what Becky has said. The use of blogging is meant to be a forward way of getting your point across, not used as a everyday journal. Although i do enjoy voicing my opinions when i feel that it is relevent to this course, but it also seems unneccesary to be expected to blog everyday. Blogging is an excellent idea to use as a resource for students concerning homework and assignments. Also is great for asking questions, posting comments or ideas. To me it seems that the blogging used in this course is being over used which may be the reason why some students are losing their grip. The blog is great but agreeing with Becky, is not necessary for everyday use.

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  8. I wasnt here for the one day we talked about this second novel study; can we please talk about that tomorrow? I dont know what the deal is.

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  9. I have to personally disagree with Becky and Shelby here. I find the blog to be as useful as the users make it, and if people are coming here to restate your opinion or simply get a post over with then they aren't going to get much more than just that out of it. Yes, it is a journal entry, but reading others comments, and taking the time to think about something new, or to make a response to others comments is stimulating, and gets you thinking about the play. The more thoughtful and engaged comments are, the more useful it will be. I find the more posts I read, the more I think, and the more I want to post on the topics that others have posted on. I guess all I'm really trying to say is if the blog is seeming boring or redundant, it doesn't have to be. It doesn't JUST have to be a journal entry, that's just what its turned into for many people. It is what you and other users make it.

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  10. restate their opinion*

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  11. The above being said, if people don't want to post, or don't want to get engaged and they are just coming here to post because they have to, then perhaps it is best if they don't post on every entry. It would be nice to see some entries open up to actual discussions, like in class, instead of just mandatory journal entries.

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  12. Hey, I posted a comment at 12:42 last night, but I can't see it here, is it possible it was deleted?

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  13. Ya it's gone dudeeee. I read it though, and I agree with most, if not all your points. Rewrite it maybe?

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  14. it was nice to see Hamlet man up and finally kill someone, even if it wasn't the King.

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  15. I do believe the blog is useful, Mitchell, i said that i do. I just dont think its necessary for us to post on the blog EVERYday, espcially if we've already said our piece in class. Also, all of us have to post on the blog for us to get marks, even if we dont have anything valuableto say at the time. I agree that if we are just posting for the sake of gettng marks when we have nothign of value to say then it is unnecessary, and we are just inhibiting a discussion.

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  16. I know that this comment is a bit late, but due to only having dial up at home posting on the blog can easily be left behind for me. On this topic of blog posting, I have to agree with Becky. I find that the blog can be very useful in that it is preparing us more for what the world is like than writting a journal on paper. It also allows those who may not feel comfortable speaking in class to get their feelings and views out. However, like Becky I don't think that the blog should be taken quite so seriously and HAVE to be written on everyday. I feel that I personally get alot of my views out and asked all my questions in class and don't need to post on the blog. I am also frustrated because I put quite a bit of time and effort into posting on the blog last semester and got no feed back on it, or a credit for it (I don't think). I think that the blog should definetly be used but maybe be joined with the participation in class discussion mark. Now on the topic of Act three scenes 3 to 5, I once again enjoyed hearing the words aloud in class. Alot happened during these scenes, while I find Polonius' character necessary and often amusing I wasn't sad to see him go. I am interested to see how Hamlet's mother actually follows through with Hamlet's direction. We are moving through the play at a relatively quick pace now and I can't wait to find out how it ends and watch the movie.

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  17. After reading everyones comments and opinions I find myself siding with Becky alot. For example, I find the act of writing on the blog everday to be a chore. Honestly, I try not to use the computer that often and this is why I am often late in these debates. I feel resentful of this tedious posting and in my opinion if we only posted once or twice a week it would be much more effective.

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