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