Digital Griots: African American Rhetoric in a Multimedia Age

A remarkable addition to the study of African American rhetorical theory and composition studies, Digital Griots: African American Rhetoric in a Multimedia Age will compel scholars and students alike to think about what they know of African American rhetoric in fresh and useful ways.

Digital Griots: African American Rhetoric in a Multimedia Age

HigherEdJobs - The Job Seeker With the Dragon Tattoo

HigherEdJobs - The Job Seeker With the Dragon Tattoo

The Job Seeker With the Dragon Tattoo

by Peter Weddle

By now, you've probably heard of Stieg Larsson's best seller, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. For those who haven't yet read the book, it's (sort of) a murder mystery intertwined with the self-identity quest of a young woman with distinctive body art. While all of the plot's secrets are revealed by the end of the tale, one question is never addressed: what's the meaning of the dragon tattoo? The answer is especially important to job seekers.

"All the other kids with their pumped up kicks...better run, better run...."?

Have you guys heard "All the other kids" by Foster People? Well, I thought it was just the average weird catchy sing along song on the radio for a while now, but today, out of curiosity, I searched the lyrics, which were actually kind of disturbing. What is your opinion of the lyrics? And is the song about a kid that was abused and teased, shooting it out? A sociopath maybe. My friend seems to think it's not a real gun...

Oh, and here are the lyrics....
Robert's got a quick hand.
He's looking 'round the room, he won't tell you his plan.
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid.
Yeah, he found a six shooter gun.
In his dad's closet with a box of fun things, I don't even know what.
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you.

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, you'd better run, better run, outrun my gun.
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, you'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet.

What is American Pop Culture?

According to a site sponsored by the English Department at the USC at Berkley, "Popular culture has been defined as everything from "common culture," to "folk culture," to "mass culture." While it has been all of these things at various points in history, in Post-War America, popular culture is undeniably associated with commercial culture and all its trappings: movies, television, radio, cyberspace, advertising, toys, nearly any commodity available for purchase, many forms of art, photography, games, and even group "experiences" like collective comet-watching or rave dancing on ecstasy.

Following are several links to sites dedicated to popular culture in America.

www.americanpopularculture.com

english.berkeley.edu

culturalpolitics.net/popular_culture

American Pop Culture Mini Series

Group Assessment:

Group 1: Linda, Megan, Ann, Joy

Group 2: Alice, Christina, Eleanor, Yolanda, Ted

Group 3: Vianne, Audrey, Wandy, Edith

Mission Impossible: Prepare a short video/show to be viewed as part of a CNN Special Broadcast on American Pop Culture.

Mission Impossible: Each group will prepare an “American Pop Culture Mini Series” with video clips/photos/interviews (or any other media format) of their recent visit to Atlanta. Each person should discuss how their experiences relate to American Pop Culture and what they have learned about American Pop Culture.

Rules:

1. Each group should use original photos and/or video clips for most of show

2. Formats may be: interviews, commercials, narration, re-enactments

3. Each group must provide a script for their “ Mini-series segment

Each group must have a sponsor for their "Mini-series". The sponsor must have an advertisement.

Assessment #2 - American Baseball and Pop Culture

This assessment is based on Lesson 2 – Understanding American Baseball and the Role of Advertising. You may use your computer and the course blog to answer the questions.

Part I (50 pts.) – On my Blog
1. Answer the following questions as replies to this post.
a. What are some of the elements American advertisers use to “persuade” consumers to buy their products. (ex: colors, messages, characters, etc.)
2. At the Braves Stadium how many type of advertisements did we see.
3. With your group prepare a commercial for a Braves baseball game

Part II (50 pts.) – On your Blog

1. Which part of our tour to Turner Field did you like the most? Write a blog post explaining why.
2. Upload one of your photographs from the tour. If you did not take photographs, then ask one of your classmates to let you use a picture.
3. What other places have you visited in Atlanta since our last class?

New Meeting Time for Turner Field is 2:45 pm

Students,

We need to meet at Turner Field between 2:30 and 2:45pm in order to begin the tour by 3:00. We have confirmed reservations for 3:00 pm. If you arrive later, you will miss the tour.

Plan on your trip from Tech to Turner field taking approximately 30-45 minutes.Therefore, you should leave from the North Avenue MARTA at 2:05 pm.

Important!!!! No tours begin after 3:00 pm.

See you tomorrow!!!!!
Dr. Harris