Research Presentation Schedule

Dear students,

Here is the schedule for your research presentation projects. Much of the schedule was arranged with those who attended class on Wednesday; if you were absent, I have slotted you in the remaining times. You must let me know if your date/time presents a conflict.

The presentations will cover 11-minute intervals – seven minutes for your presentation and four minutes to field questions.

As I said in class, you are required to attend your fellow students' presentations. I will note anyone who misses class.

Lastly, I have posted the slides detailing what I expect from your presentations and your papers here.

The schedule:

Mon., April 20

11:00 Veronica Pacheco

11:11 Kate Petronelli

11:22 Emily Cahill

11:33 Corey Nash

11:44 Katie Leclerc

11:55 Kirstie Mahon

12:06 Jennifer Arnold

Wed., April 22

11:00 Ian Delgiudice

11:11 Blue Peguero

11:22 Sarah Pucino

11:33 Henry Barcohana

11:44 Zach Hynes

11:55 Samantha Alfred

12:06 Mike Quick

Mon., April 27

11:00 Nick Parrillo

11:11 Leanne Jones

11:22 Nicole Agnew

11:33 Ryan Crowley

11:44 Ashley Efflandt

11:55 Alexis Brown

12:06 Emily Sherman

Wed., April 29

11:00 James Karalekas

11:11 Sara Karalekas

11:22 Chris Buonanno

11:33 Nigel Evangelista

11:44 Mandi Krajewski

11:55 Mel Turnquist

12:06 Caitlin Rouleau

Readings for Next Week

Hello students,

We had talked about a plan by the Obama Administration to tweak the nation's educational system and curriculum. Well, I found a story on that subject – and one that talks about the influence of charter schools. The links are here and here.

We will discuss these stories and the implications of changing the nation's educational system on Monday.

Wednesday Class Canceled

I hate to do this, but I am canceling Wednesday's class as well. The flu I have is more severe than I thought, and I don't want to risk infecting anyone.

I urge you to use your time to continue working on your research projects. The presentations are only four weeks away!

Again, my apologies for having to cancel class this week. I will see you all on Monday.

Professor Lewis

Class Canceled – Mon. March 23

Dear students,

I have the flu, and so have canceled class for Monday, March 23. We will continue our discussion of Celebrities and the Media on Wednesday.

Thank you for your understanding.

Your weekly discussion question is in the post below.

Professor Lewis

Monday's Class + Weekly Discussion Question

Hello students,

On Monday, we will continue our discussion of celebrities and the media. Please review the readings I assigned last week.

Keeping with a theme that arose in Wednesday's class, the weekly discussion question is:

Should celebrities (actors, musicians, politicians, business figures, etc.) be held up as role models?

Please explain your answer thoughtfully. 

Reading Assignment for Wed. March 18

Hello students,

Here is your reading assignment for class on Wed. March 18. They are two pdf files titled "Media and Entertainment" and "Why Do We Cover Celebrities?" They are located at this link.

Don't forget to respond to the weekly discussion question. See the post below for this week's topic.

Weekly Discussion Question

Hello students,

Welcome back from spring break! Now it's time to get back into the swing of things.

In that vein, here is your weekly discussion question. Your thoughtful replies are due by midnight Tuesday, as always.

What was the most interesting event you read, saw or heard in the news in the past week – and why?

Research Project Outline

Dear students,

We are having class on Wed. March 4. Your research project outlines are due by the end of that day. 

Here is how I want you to do it:

1. Write your outline in Microsoft Word (version 97-2004). 

2. Send it to me in an email as an attachment.

3. My email address is: rlewis1@ric.edu

Good luck and have fun!

Class Canceled – Mon. March 2

Hello students,

I am canceling class today (Mon. March 2) due to the intense winter storm striking our area. The National Weather Service says snowfall will be heavy during the morning, and that travel will be slow and treacherous in some areas. Thus, I think it makes sense for you all to avoid traveling on the roads.

I urge you strongly not to treat this as a free day. Instead, work on your research outline, which is due this Wednesday, March 4. You will send that outline to me as a Microsoft Word attachment to your email.

Be safe and work hard!

Professor Lewis

Monday's Class

Hello students,

As you may know, a major winter storm is sweeping into our region beginning tonight (Sun.) and lasting through tomorrow morning (Mon.). The latest forecasts are for between 5 and 15 inches of snow.

I will monitor the RIC web site and the school's emergency hotline to see if classes are cancelled. Even if RIC is not closed, however, I may cancel class if travel is being discouraged.

So, please check the class blog regularly for updates!

Last note: Your weekly discussion question is in the post below.

Professor Lewis

Reading Assignment + Weekly Discussion Question

Hello students,

There is no reading assignment for Monday's class. I decided to forgo any reading, so you can concentrate on your research outline, which is due on March 4 (Wed.). I expect you to work hard on that outline.

Of course, you are still expected to be on top of the news and to watch "Meet the Press."

Here is your weekly discussion question:

What was the most interesting thing you learned in the film "An Inconvenient Truth" and why?

Your responses are due by midnight on Tuesday, as always.

Have a good weekend, and I will see you on Monday.

Weekly Discussion Question

Hello students,

President Obama announced earlier this week that he would send 17,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan. Many analysts think thousands more American soldiers will be sent. You can read about the initial buildup here.

The question: Do you agree that the U.S. should send more troops to Afghanistan? If so, why? If not, why not?

Make sure you think about this question, as there is no simple answer. For example, you should consider how valuable Afghanistan is to the U.S., if at all; the region's importance to the U.S.; the terror attacks in 2001, etc. You may want to do some extra reading to formulate a thoughtful response.

Your answers, as always, are due by midnight on Tuesday.

Good luck and have fun!

Your reading assignment for Monday is in the post below.

Monday's Class + Reading Assignment

Hello students,

On Monday, we will wrap up discussion of President Obama's economic stimulus plan (hooray!) and then segue into talking about global warming (or climate change).

Your reading assignment for Monday is to review the readings included in the Feb. 13 post.

As always, don't forget to keep abreast of the news – by reading the NY Times and watching "Meet the Press."

Last thing: I will be in touch with each of you individually about your research topic by this weekend if you haven't heard from me already.

Have a good weekend, and I'll see you on Monday!

Class Canceled

Dear students,

I regret that I must cancel class for Mon., Feb. 16. My wife's sickness has worsened this weekend, and it appears baby Nathaniel is sick, too. I am the last person standing (for now, at least), so I will need to care for them. 

I have sent an email to each of you as well. However, I know that many of you use other email accounts, which I don't have. So, please relay the class cancellation information to any classmates you know.

We will discuss Congress's passage of the economic stimulus plan on Wednesday. The reading assignment is the same as for Monday (see post below)

Thank you all for your understanding.

Professor Lewis

Weekly Discussion Question

Dear students,

Here is your weekly discussion question. Your response is due by midnight Tuesday. The readings (below) may help you in formulating your response.

The question:

Is global warming real? If so, why? If not, why not?

Reading Assignment for Monday

Dear students, 

On Monday, we will talk about Congress's passage of the stimulus plan, which President Obama may sign as soon as this weekend. We will also begin discussing climate change (global warming).

Your readings for Monday are here and here.

Don't forget to watch "Meet the Press" this weekend, too.

Have a good weekend and see you on Monday!

Syllabus Has Been Posted!

Dear students,

I have posted the syllabus online. You can find it here.

Note I have included a new email address to reach me. It is rlewis1@ric.edu. 

I will post other documents as the need arises. Let me know if you have any problems accessing it.

See the posts below for your weekly discussion question and for your reading assignment for Monday.

Weekly Discussion Question

Dear students,

You have read the story on Japan's stimulus plan and have analyzed the House and Senate versions of the American stimulus package (see the post below this one for the links). 

My question for you:

What should America's stimulus plan focus on and why? If you list more than one area, prioritize them and explain your ranking. For example, if you believe building roads is the top priority, explain why and so on with your other choices. Also, feel free to include any ideas not addressed in the bills.

Your responses are due by midnight on Tuesday. Have fun!

Reading Assignment for Monday

Hello students,

Here is your reading assignment for Monday's class. The links are here, here and here. Also, don't forget to watch "Meet the Press" this weekend.

We will continue to talk about the economy on Monday. So, please bring with you:

1. The David Leonhardt column on the causes of the economic downturn.

I will post the weekly discussion question separately. Your responses are due by midnight Tuesday, as always.

Have a good weekend and see you in class on Monday!

Weekly Discussion Question

In his column on the economic collapse, David Leonhardt of the New York Times writes:

“Bubbles lead to busts. Busts lead to panics. And panics can lead to long, deep economic downturns…”

What do you think he means?

Assignments for Mon. Feb. 2

Dear students,

For class this Monday (Feb. 2), we will review the syllabus in detail and begin analyzing the economy. 

Please prepare for class by:

1. Bringing your syllabus to class.

2. Watching "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning. If you miss the broadcast, watch the netcast at the link under "Required Readings."

3. Reading the following:

• New York Times story on the economy. The link is here. Print this story and bring it to class.
  
• New York Times story on what Americans are most interested in. The link is here.

I will post the weekly discussion question on Sunday.

Have a good weekend!

Professor Lewis

Assignment for Wed. Jan. 28 class

Dear students,

Please print President Obama's Inauguration address and bring it to class on Wed., Jan. 28.

Also, as I mentioned in Monday's class, please pay special attention to the issues that Obama highlights in his speech. This will form the core of our discussion.

Think about:
1. What issues does President Obama address in detail?
2. Did he fully address your concerns with those issues?
3. What issues do you think he left out of his address and why?

See you in class on Wednesday!

Reading Assignment for Jan. 26 class

Dear students,

Please read President Barack Obama's speech on Inauguration Day. You can find the link here.

We will discuss the speech on Monday.

Weekly Discussion Question

Dear students,

Here is your first weekly discussion question. Make sure you post your comments by midnight on Tues. Jan. 27. 

Imagine you were President Obama. What would be the first issue you would tackle and why?