As a person who loves science but really struggles with math, your ideal university really impacted me. With your major, I hope that you are able to have that hands-on experience outside of class that you desire! Make sure to check the GMU Career Center for great internship opportunities! I loved your CD ideas, especially the one about narcotic legalization.

The Unexpected Part 1

Attending GMU this year has surprised me in many ways, both good and bad. These experiences have helped me develop what I think my ideal university would be. Firstly, I would modify the math placement exams students are required to take. For many of us, math was a struggle in high school but we powered through it to make it this far. Telling us we did or didn't remember it sufficiently enough is a hard hit on one's ego. Perhaps excluding math majors, certain students shouldn't be forced into Calculus I and II... is that really used in the real world apart from the teachers and professors that teach it? Just students excel one subject doesn't by default mean they succeed in another, example being science majors. Many people think math and science always go hand in hand, or that the various subjects of the humanities and liberal arts go hand in hand. This is not always true. Students have interests, and what interests us in one field does not mean we hold any interest in another; students are going to succeed in what holds their interest and keeps them thinking. And what if a student can just simply not pass the class? Professors have various methods of teaching; I have professors who simply lecture and give papers, some who give frequent quizzes, some who give no homework, and some who give me enough homework that takes a significant hit on sleep and social life. Perhaps if taught in a different method the student would succeed? I think the effort a student puts forth is sometimes a better gauge than a number or letter. Furthermore, the individual progress a student makes throughout a course is a better measure of a grade. Because afterall, we are all striving for progress, it is just that we are all starting it at different levels.
Not only should personal preferences and progress be assessed, but so should personal lives. As a full time student and part time employee, there are days when I feel like I just can't satisfy all the requirements needed fromme that day (or that week). The high-cost of tuition, housing, books, and other expenses can be hard hit on many families and it is up to the student to ensure they make it through all 4 years of college. How else can we compensate for the tuition loans don't cover and the $400 books we need (which we may only end up using twice the whole semester)? It is our professors jobs to provide us with the best education but we don't always have time or energy to satisfy all that is demanded from us. Exhausted students will not absorb the material at 3 am and oftentimes students begin to resent the professors that demand so much out of them. Of course not all students work and therefore can spend the extra time studying, but professors cannot count on this. We want to do well too! But we need to do it to the best of our abilities, not someone elses.
My ideal class would start at about 10:30am and would be no longer than 75 minutes, 2x a week. I'm majoring in Global and Environmental Change and aspire to go into work dealing with conservationism. This class would of course deal with that subject, and would involve field excursions so that students could experience it first hand rather than reading about it in a textbook. White cement walls and locked windows don't really do it for me!

Jesus is my Homeboy

1. As a christian religious apparel such as 'Jesus is my homeboy' shirts do not offend me. I think slogans like these are targeted toward a younger generation, perhaps teenagers to 20-somethings. This is often a period in which people are struggling with self consciousness while trying to stay faithful. I believe these slogans could be a mockery if one sees them as such, but I think it puts a modern spin on an important belief. Some of the slogans are funny too, and I do not think that is a bad thing. How many priests, pastors, or ministers make a joke during mass or service? Putting a positive spin on a serious subject lightens the mood, and is probably likely to leave a positive lasting impression than a doom-and-gloom lecture.
2. A quote that I feel refutes Paul Mitchell's argument is when he states "How could I best demonstrate my devotion to Christ?" Emphasis on the my devotion. People should express their beliefs in a way that they feel comfortable expressing them, whether it be obvious or ambiguous.
3. I actually think I would like the shirts better if they were text-only. Sometimes I think images support a statement, but other times the statement has a larger impact if exposed alone. I'm not really fond of the images of Jesus in a hoodie but I am not offended by them. I think it can be positively interpreted in the sense that Jesus is "with all of us." I think its just a personal preference ... I rarely wear shirts with images on them anyways.
4. I believe the image on the left conveys a slightly more serious tone as opposed to the to the right-hand image. The colors are gray and black and Jesus is not smiling, frowning, or showing any other emotions. The words are almost expelling from his body which makes me believe he supports the statement; its almost as if he is the one putting the message out there. Furthermore, his hands are beneath the words, supporting them.
The image on the left takes on a cartoon feel. Jesus is dressed in plain clothes: a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers. He is even giving the "peace" sign. I thnk this sends the message that Christianity can be a modern thing, and that Jesus is "with us" even when wewe don't think about it. The bright colors evoke a positive feeling and give the image a cheery look.

Jammin' for a Topic

Song Title: "Runnin' Out"
Genre: Country
Explanation: This song addresses the issues faced with renewable energy. It discusses various different methods such as solar and wind power. It briefly mentions the battle over the cost of implementation, but concludes that at this point, cost cannot be an issue when we are facing an energy crisis several years from now.

Song Title: "We're Workin'"
Genre: Hip Hop
Explanation: This song is sung by an all-women hip hop group. It addresses the issues many women face when entering the workforce. It discusses the issues women have had to overcome (Suffrage, female income compared to male income) and concludes that women have benefited the workforce, offering new perspectives and fresh ideas. It supports the claim that women, like men, deserve the right to choose whether to work or not, and need to be paid comparatively.

Song Title: "One Stupid Night"
Genre: Country
Explanation: This song addresses the issue of driving while intoxicated. Rather than just explaining facts, this song will tell a story. It would have sound bytes of screeching tires, and at the end, a crash.

Song Title: "A Family Torn Apart"

Genre: Rock

Explanation: This song addresses the negative side of narcotic legalization. It is a story told from a child's point of view, and the negative affects narcotics have had on their family.


Song Title: "My Hero"
Genre: Rock
Explanation: This song addresses the topic of sports and drugs, particularly steriods. It explores the notion that athletes are looked up to by children. Unfortunately children hear about incidents in which an athlete is exposed as using performance enhancing drugs. This song takes the stance that athletes, when in the public eye, need to consider their young audience and the affects of their choices.

Song Lyrics for "My Hero":
"I was a young boy watching
my future life in front of me
On a plasma tv screen
When the cops busted him
My future looked too bleak
How was I expected to compete
Against men like him?

Album Title: Issues of the 21^st Century

Cover: Because the album covers a multitude of issues, the cover art will not be associated with any one subject. It will be abstract art, one side black and white and the other colorful. The art will be one piece, but the colors will flow effortlessly without any harsh lines depicting a divide between the sides. This represents how oftentimes, people are uninformed about some matters. The shapes of the art represent society and the hidden issues are only distinguished by the difference in colors.

Are you being "ripped off"?

1. After watching the video "Truth About Steriods", I feel as if until further evidence is proven, anabolic steroid use has no reason to banned. Not that I don't believe injecting one's body with synthetic drugs could prove to be harmful, however, smoking is still legal in the U.S. despite the proven effects it has on the body. I believe when outlawing certain substances, it should be "clear across the board".
2. I do believe steriod use compromises the integrity of sports. In my opinion, sports challenge the human body to furthest possible extent, without the advantage of of unnatural substances. The human body doesn't produce these hormones in excess for a reason, whether or not that reason is clear yet. I do not think there is any difference between high school, college, or professional athletes when speaking of steroids. However, I do believe high school and college athletes admire professional athletes, and when more and more are found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs younger athletes slowly become desensitized to it. Combining this with the increasing competitiveness of sports, young athletes are susceptible to steroid use. Similarly, I believe there should be no exceptions based upon an athlete's sport.
Furthermore, societal pressures about physical appearances and success drive these players to resort to steroids to "get the edge".

Partying on Campus ... or Not

Georgetown students are agitated over new policies the University is enforcing regarding on-campus parties (Kinzie B01). It is natural for students to feel as if their rights are being taken away; part of the allure of college life is the opportunity to assert one's independence. College students don't want to be burdened with a babysitter, which is what the University is becoming. Currently, there cannot be more than 25-50 partygoers (depending on where the party is being held) in addition to the strictly enforced one keg per party rule (Kinzie). According to 2nd District Cmdr. Andy Solberg, "We would prefer that the college kids control their own actions . . . but if they can't or they won't, we'll lock them up," (qtd. in Kinzie). However, Solberg admits that perhaps the police force could be spending its time more wisely, "everyone in the community wants cops out here patrolling for real criminal behavior" (Kinzie).

Paraphrasing

James D. Lester contends that students have a habit of overusing direct quotations when writing research papers, and suggests limiting the quantity of direct quotes in note taking to refrain from using them in a final draft. This should allow only 10% of a final paper to be directly quoted (Lester).

My Thesis

Unfortunately there are many schools that do not have the appropriate tools and do not have sufficient access to computers. Although there are 14.2 million computers appropriated to elementary and secondary schools in the U.S., there is no way to measure the amount of time children have access to these computers. As our world is advancing it is becoming more important that children become techno-literate at a young age.

Are you toying with me?

1. The the article Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through Action Toys by Pope, Olivardia, Gruber, and Borowieki, the popular toys from the 1960's to present are assessed by means of measurement and the affects they may have on young boys' psyche. The collections analyzed were G.I. Joe and Luke Skywalker and Hans Solo from Star Wars. Both collections showed significant differences between 1960's and 70's models from today's. For example, the G.I. Joe models slowly started enhancing muscular definition in addition to size, and according to the article, when extrapolated to 70" in height, the G.I. Joe Extreme model "would sport larger biceps than any bodybuildr in history." Pope et. al contributes muscle dysmorphia - which is becoming increasing more common in men - to impossible standards subconsciously set by these toys. In addition, the article mentions the role of steriod abuse of men conflicted with muscle dysmorphia.

In the article G.I. Joe's Big Biceps are Not a Big Deal by Franke-Folstad, the author discerns the claim that unrealistic toys advertise an unhealthy image for children. The article sarcastically claims that this is why they are toys and "That's why we stop playing with them before we get out of grade school." Franke-Folstad believes real-life advertisements such as Charles Atlas' fitness secrets and professional wrestlers are the more than likely culprits of body scrutiny.

2. In the first article, Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through Action Toys, the tone of the article is serious and informative. The presentation is organized, and the authors provide evidence to support their claim. For example, to be certain they were analyzing the most popular toys for children, the authors "consulted with various toy experts...[and] consulted the 1st through 15th annual sales surveys of Playthings magazine..." As a reader this was very persuading. Of course the actual analysis of the growth and definition of the toys was convincing as well. The article did provide evidence of male eating disorders however it did not provide any hard evidence that these were a direct or indirect result of unrealistic action figures.
In the second article, G.I. Joe's Biceps are Not a Big Deal, the article is purely opinionated. For example, "Besides, if anything, I'm more comfortable with the freakish physiques of today's action figures..." There is no research, facts, or evidence to support the authors' claim. Although the sarcastic tone of the article is amusing, from an objectional standpoint the author does not persuade me as a reader because no proof is given.

3. Although objectionally the first article Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through Action Toys is more persuasive, I do agree with the claim the second article, G.I. Joe's Biceps are Not a Big Deal. As a child I played with Barbie dolls and I never once measured myself or even grown women to the physique of my Barbie doll. If anything I believe ultra skinny super models, actresses, etc. influence our society's beliefs and obsession of physical appearance. My parents never denied me a doll because of its physique; on the contrary, my mother would let me look through her Barbie dolls she had as a child. Looking back on the situation, I do not remember seeing a difference between the two models of doll other than the clothes. Of course this is a foggy memory; perhaps a second look would support a different assertion!

Pro-Ana Websites

1. "All I want is for my inner thighs to not touch when I walk. Is this some physically impossible feat?," writes one member of a pro-anorexia journaling website. "I'm a fat cow who doesn't deserve to be skinny," writes another. Pro-anorexia (pro-ana for short) websites such as these claim to be a safe haven for those that are plagued by the eating disorder. However, many members, majority being women, do not receive help or solace. They collect tips and publicly self-deprivate when they relapse. These websites, at their most perverted point, provide inspirational quotes for its members to live by. In A Secret Society of the Starving by Mim Udovitch, the websites are quoted as posting, "Hunger hurts but starving works," and "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." One website even went to the point of creating its own "Thin Commandments," such as, "If thou aren't thin, thou aren't attractive," "Being thin is more important than being healthy," and "Thou shall not eat without feeling guilty." Yet these websites claim that they do not support anorexia, rather they defend it. Furthermore, Udovitch met with three young women suffering from the disorder. Two of the women even run their own pro-ana websites. Both contend that these websites do not influence young women to become anorexic. There must be a vulnerability in the person to be susceptible to the websites' beliefs. However, if someone is impressionable to a pro-ana website, if they are indeed vulnerable, these websites suggest a way of dealing with the problem. Jill M. Pollack, executive director of the Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia states that women battling anorexia are highly OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). One girl that Udovitch interviewed confessed to having OCD regarding things such as laundry, cleaning, and the numeral three. Women battling eating disorders use food as an object they can control. The bottom line is that pro-ana websites do not offer a safe haven to discuss the issue, they encourage women to believe that starving themselves is ok, because at the end of the day, there would be something else they have to control instead.

2. In A Secret Society of the Starving by Mim Udovitch, three women varying in age are interviewed. All three have one thing in common: they suffer from anorexia. One in 200 American women suffer from anorexia and a staggering two or three in 100 suffer from bulimia. With such a high number of women suffering from the disorder, many are in search of a haven, somewhere that can go to express their innermost thoughts and not be judged. Thats why two of these women run their own pro-ana (pro-anorexia) websites, where others afflicted with the disease can communicate to each other and find relief in the fact that they are not alone. Pro-ana websites allow women to talk about the hardships they are facing. One member writes, " I love you all so ... much. You made my night last night, I went to bed thinking 'I am not alone'." Without journaling websites like these, women would have one less readily available outlet. One of the girls interviewed by Udovitch discusses her reason for her daily use of the pro-ana websites. "...at the end of the day, it would be really nice if you could share with the whole world how you felt...".

3. In a country where beauty is revered, many women are confronted with "beauty" in everyday life. Television, magazine covers, posters, and more advertise models deemed as being beautiful. Constant bombardment with these images is likely to force women that do not meet these expectations question their own beauty and their worth. Thats why websites labeled "pro-ana" (short for pro-anorexia) are created. They describe themselves as an outlet for sufferers, a place they can post their questions and concerns. However, many contend these websites promote anorexia because users often trade tips and celebrate when they successfully starve themselves long enough to lose weight. Perhaps these websites can be the first step to healing. They provide users with the tools to communicate, and perhaps it will open up the doors to further communication. One member on a pro-ana website writes, "I truly admire the kindness and support people are able to find here...". However many users recognize they still are not happy. In The Secret Society o the Starving by Mim Udovitch, an 18 year old girl suffering from anorexia states, "...you can't say that every ana loves herself and that she doesn't think anything is wrong with her at all... Or else she wouldn't be ana in the first place."

Fallacies

Attacking the person rather than the argument:
She's an artist. Of course she doesn't know about current politics.

My initial reaction to the ad was that it carried both a sarcastic and comedic tone to it. The element that stood out to me the most was the pictures. One ad depicts a runner as if they are on fire from running so fast. Another portrays a dirty pair of sneakers, obviously set aside after, not a jog, but a run.
I do not run anymore. I used to run and jog when I played field hockey. As I said before, I first found the ad humorous. However, when I took a deeper look at the website, Pearl Izumi is not just praising runners, but condemns joggers. Everyone has their opinion about sports, but to run a campaign primarily based on making fun of another sport rather than commending your own seems like a low shot.
The elements of the advertisement stem from familiarity. The ad is very conversational; it invites the reader in. This may be because it is targeted at a young demographic. The dirty shoes imply that someone has already done “their civic duty” for the day.
Hard work is a value promoted in this ad, and naturally, fragility is not. The ad implies anyone who jogs is weak.
I think the intended audience is a young one, because of the tone it is written in. I imagine a young demographic purchasing the outerwear they are promoting, perhaps because a young adult is searching to “put their mark on the world”. I also see many joggers buying the apparel to prove they are not weak. By excluding joggers from runners Pearl Izumi beckons the jogging population to prove their worth. And what better way to do that than by buying some new sneaks?
I believe pathos is the strongest rhetorical appeal. This is because the campaign continuously protests jogging. This will likely boost the ego of any runner, compelling them to buy the product, and will enrage a jogger, driving them to prove their performance.
I believe the Pearl Izumi ad is more effective at selling its product than Reebok. The Pearl Izumi ad evokes more emotion in a reader by either bring them up or putting them down.

America's Army

1. On the website http://www.americasarmy.com/, there is many different types of rhetoric. For example, when first accessing the site, one is bombarded with several photos of a soldier in action; an example of visual rhetoric. Navigating throughout the site, there is a section dedicated to real life wartime heroes. There are biographies and photographs of these soldiers posted on the site. This is an example of visual persuasion. There is no distinction made between the video game and real life soldiers. However, these are not the only persuasive images the website provides. America's Army allows a gamer to go through the real motions of becoming a soldier, such as training missions on a base. The color scheme on the website and in the game are desert camoflage. This connects the game to the Iraq War. High tech graphics immerse any gamer.
2. Teenagers to young adults are the intended audience for America's Army. I think the website is successful in it's appeal to its audience; state of the art graphics and training missions allow a realistic experience. Gamers are often searching for cutting edge plotlines and visuals in a video game. America's Army satisfies that want.
3. I do agree with Navy veteran Boyle that America's Army indoctrinates the ideology of war. A game that takes a player through training exercises, artillery preparation, battles, and other military basics will likely have some effect on a players' psyche. Many images I saw of America's Army take place in desert-like conditions; conditions very similar to that in Iraq.
4. I do not think America's Army influences teens to become more violent. However, I do think frequent exposure to violent and realistic video games can cause a player to become desensitized to these situations.