Reading Schedule: Night by Elie Weisel

 All readings need to be completed on schedule to ensure that you are prepared for the discussion that the class and assignments are based on.  There may be sporadic, content- related quizzes on the reading.  These will not be particularly in-depth but will be simple and easy to answer provided you have done the reading, therefore, it is not advisable to fall behind. 

In addition, all readings require a TSR journal with 2 entries for each section of the novel read and 2 substantive questions you have about the content of the novel. (Please see info below)

• ·      Pages 1-40  March 13th (Class 13)
• ·      Pages 41-65  March 20th (Class 15)
• ·      Pages 66-97  March 27th (Class 17)
• ·      Pages 97-112  April 1st (Class 19)

All readings need to be completed on schedule to ensure that you are prepared for the discussion that the class and assignments are based on. There will be sporadic, content- related quizzes on the reading. These will not be particularly in-depth but will be simple and easy to answer provided you have done the reading, therefore, it is not advisable to fall behind.

In addition to reading the novel and your TSR Journal, you will be forming 2 substantive questions about each week's readings to be asked in class during discussion of that reading. These should be legitimate questions about something you did not understand while reading or be a question you think would produce some insight for our class discussion.

Questions should be prepared ahead of time and be typed and suitable for submission as a for-credit assignment.

Here is an example of a substantive/insightful question about the novel Night:

• "Why did people not believe that they were in danger and act, when there was a pattern of violence forming again the Jewish people and the other the Nazis marked as "'undesirables?'"

Here is another legitimate question that one might ask: 

• "How did Elie's father view the Kabbalh and why was he against Elie studying it?"

Questions that are not appropriate are ones that are posed merely for the sake of completing the assignment. These are examples of questions that are not appropriate for the assignment.

• "What is the main character's name?

• "What was happened when the German soldiers came to Sighet?"

If you have legitimately simple questions such as these, I encourage you to ask them. Please make a note of them and ask them during our discussion, but form more substantive ones as your assignment. 

Ugly Children May Get Parental Short Shrift

You may discuss any--or a combination--of the following as long as it results in a 5-7 sentence paragraph in response to the text Ugly Children May Get Parental Short Shrift.

1. A taboo is something that is not acceptable in social circumstances; for example, calling an infant “ugly.” But exactly why is this so? Why is it more socially acceptable to call an adult “ugly,” but not an infant?
2. In the study Bakalar was describing, it clearly states that some parents left their “ugly” babies unattended in the cart, or would let “ugly” children wander off. If the reporter isn’t calling these parents “bad,” then what is Bakalar saying about this particular situation?
3. Do you agree with Dr. Harnell when he states that, “…There are a lot of things that make a person more valuable, and physical attractiveness may be one of them”? Explain.
4. Respond to two of your peers' comments in no less than 4-5 sentences.

When Parents are Too Toxic to Tolerate

Please write 3 TSR Journal entries in response to the NY Times article, When Parents are Too Toxic to Tolerate.

Post one of them online below so that I can evaluate your understanding of the TSR Journal and your use of MLA format and submit 2 of them on paper at our next class, remembering your submission guidlines.

She Works, They're Happy

Re-read the artcile, She Works, They're Happy, underlining key points and annotating the text. Then answer the following questions. Responses should be a minimum of 5-7 sentences.

1. Pick one quote (or any text from the article) that you found important. Explain why you think it is significant.
2. Keeping in mind our class discussion of the article, what is it that makes being a female breadwinner unattractive for many males?
3. Respond to 2 of your peers' comments about the article.