omnivox moodle office


WEEK 7 (1/2) (due March 16)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 16

3rd MANDATORY DRAFTING SESSION

BRING YOUR DEVICE TO ACCESS THE COMIC BOOKS

Save a copy of your typed draft before you start editing. Once you’ve made changes, save the edited version with a different file name -- to keep both your original typed draft and the edited copy separate. 

1) REVIEW: TO IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE 2ND PARAGRAPH, EXAMINE CLOSELY THIS FICTIONAL EXAMPLE.

You may print a copy and bring it to class as a guide when you will draft your 2nd paragraph.

2) TYPING: IN MICROSOFT WORD, TYPE YOUR NOT-YET-COMPLETE DRAFT, EXACTLY AS IT IS, WORD FOR WORD.

As you type, you can only correct spelling, punctuation, and verb-subject agreement errors (e.g., "he says" > "he says").

AI Usage: You can give ChatGPT your draft (one photo at a time) and ask it to extract the handwritten text word-for-word, exactly as it is. Since your final copy must match your draft, verify ChatGPT’s transcription (every single word) to make sure it hasn’t misread your handwriting.

 3) EDITING: EDIT YOUR DRAFT BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:

Revisions can be done with or without AI. If you use AI, you can only use the prompts on Moodle in the AI Section: "1st Essay: TO EDIT YOUR DRAFT."

1. All revisions (with or without AI) must be clearly disclosed by inserting a comment in the margin for each modification: In Microsoft Word, select the specific word(s) you've modified, click on Insert and then on Comment. In the comment, indicate briefly the nature of the modification and (if you used AI) which permitted prompt you used.

2. No need to insert a comment when correcting punctuation (a comma, period, or semicolon), when correcting the spelling of a word, when correcting verb-subject agreement errors ("he says"), when correcting or adding determiners ("the," "a," "an," "this," "that,"  "these," or "those") or when deleting a word or sentence without replacing it.

3. No more than four words in a given sentence can be corrected, added, or replaced.

4. One sentence per paragraph can be modified beyond four words, including the introduction and conclusion.

Everything you write must sound like you! If AI suggests words that you don't know how to pronounce, cannot define without a dictionary, or wouldn't typically use, do NOT use them. 

Shifts in tone, style, and word choice will confuse your reader and negatively impact the quality of your communication - and your grade. The use of AI should therefore be transparent, blending seamlessly with your voice and authentic writing style.

 

Take care.

WEEK 6 (2/2) (due March 12)


NEXT CLASS: THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Mandatory 2nd drafting session of the 1st essay

PREREQUISITE: A SATISFACTORY OUTLINE 

Bring your device, which can only be used to access Superman: Earth One,
and (if needed) a new printed copy of your outline.
You may also bring paper copies of the essay guidelines, rubric,

1) (if needed) OUTLINE: REVISE YOUR OUTLINE.

IMPORTANT: An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a fully developed sentence.

Workflow to choose your thesis and to outline your 2nd paragraph: 

1. First, choose one extended scene or character the author uses to comment on the conservative immigration policy, such as the cemetery scene, Clark's integration into the Daily Planet, Superman's second trip to Borada, or the character of Eddie Monroe.

2. Second, identify which one guideline or one goal of the policy the author is commenting on in this scene or through this character. This will be the topic of your 2nd paragraph.

3. Third, identify two key details or panels in this scene or related to this character. These two panels/details need, together, to support your thesis. In your second paragraph, you will describe and analyze these two panels/details one at a time. Determine the best order to discuss them; for example, you can discuss them in chronological order, or you can move from a detail that supports the conservative element to another detail that challenges it.

4. Fourth, identify the specific "quotes" that will support your analysis.

2) (if needed) OUTLINE: RE-SUBMIT TO LEA YOUR REVISED OUTLINE IN THE SAME ASSIGNMENT: Complete Outline (ESSAY 1)

Remember to bring a paper copy of your revised outline to class. You will need it to guide you during the drafting process.

3) REVIEW: ESSAY GUIDELINES & GRADING RUBRIC

4) PREPARATION: TO IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE 2ND PARAGRAPH, EXAMINE CLOSELY THIS FICTIONAL EXAMPLE.

You may print a copy and bring it to class as a guide when you will draft your 2nd paragraph.

 

Take care.

Essay 1: Final Output Rubric (66.67%)


WEEK 6 (1/2) (due March 9)

NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, MARCH 9
Answering questions about your printed outline,
and beginning hand-writing your essay in a booklet.

Bring a printed, paper copy of your outline, and
your device, which can only be used to access Superman: Earth One.
You may also bring paper copies of the essay guidelines and rubric. 

1) ESSAY GUIDELINES: READ CLOSELY THE GUIDELINES FOR YOUR FIRST ESSAY AND THE RUBRIC FOR THE FINAL OUTPUT (representing 66.66% of the final grade).

Here is the list of process tasks for this project (representing 33.33% of the final grade).

2) REREADING: REREAD CLOSELY THE PAGES IN SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE RELATED TO THE SCENE(S) OR THE CHARACTER YOU PLAN TO ANALYZE IN YOUR ESSAY.

3) OUTLINE: DEVELOP & SUBMIT TO LEA A COMPLETE OUTLINE (clear HERE to download a blank outline).

Important: An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a complete sentence. 

Choose a valid thesis that aligns with our class discussions: your thesis is a clear and single claim about Straczynski's position on the conservative immigration typically promoted by superhero narratives.

Essays (final outputs) that merely argue that Superman: Earth One is fully conservative, fully anti-conservative, or equally both cannot achieve a grade higher than 65% on the final output. 

1. First, choose one extended scene or character the author uses to comment on the conservative immigration policy, such as the cemetery scene, Clark's integration into the Daily Planet, Superman's second trip to Borada, or the character of Eddie Monroe.

2. Second, identify which one guideline or one goal of the policy the author is commenting on in this scene or through this character. This will be the topic of your paragraph.

3. Third, identify two key details or panels in this scene or related to this character. These two panels/details need, together, to support your thesis. In your second paragraph, you will describe and analyze these two panels/details one at a time. Determine the best order to discuss them; for example, you can discuss them in chronological order, or you can move from a detail that supports the conservative element to another detail that challenges it.

4. Fourth, identify the specific "quotes" that will support your analysis.

In your outline, include, in bullet points, the context of each detail or panel (when? where? who? what?). A person who has not read the book should be able to visualize the panels, details, and words on the page.

Only Permitted AI Use for the Outline: You may use ChatGPT to suggest different logical sequences for your points in your first paragraph on the theory (you may also simply follow the teacher's sequence in the outline). Use the prompt in the AI section on Moodle. Choose the sequence that makes most sense to you (as a storyteller), and keep in mind that your target audience knows very little about superheroes.

Have a most pleasant Reading Break!

WEEK 5 2/2 (due Feb. 26)


NEXT CLASS: THURSDAY, Feb. 26

CLASS DISCUSSION & GROUP WORK ON SUPERMAN COMICS
for students who will have completed the process task below

Bring your PAPER or DIGITAL COPIES of 
the two volumes of Superman: Earth One

1) 2ND VOLUME: PLEASE READ THE 2ND VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE. 

AS YOU READ, FILL UP - AND THEN SUMBIT TO LEA - THIS WORKSHEET ON THE SECOND VOLUME. 

Based on the diverse immigration policies discussed in class, choose three policies that you believe hold the most potential for analyzing Straczynski’s superhero narrative.

As you read the 2nd volume:

Identify 7-10 scenes that promote and go against these three policies as well as the two main goals of the immigration policies typically promoted by superhero stories.

For each policy and goal, identify two scenes: one that promotes this element of the immigration policy, and one that contradicts it or promotes the opposite view. For example, find a scene that encourages readers to be selfless, and find another scene that encourages readers to be selfish. 

In each box, each scene must be described and connected to the immigration policy in at least two fully developed sentences.

You may leave three boxes empty. If you struggle to fill all the boxes, revise your selection of policies or include one or two (maximum) scenes from the first volume. 

Do not focus only on the author's use of the character of Superman/Kent. Villains are, as a rule, used as counter-examples (promoting behaviours readers and immigrants should avoid). And do not forget the other secondary characters, especially the character of Eddie. 

Take care.

WEEK 5 1/2 (due Feb. 23)


NEXT CLASS: MONDAY, Feb. 23

IN-CLASS DRAFTING OF 1ST PARAGRAPH
(mandatory to submit this paragraph)

BRING: YOUR LAPTOP & COPIES OF SUPERMAN VOLUMES 1 + 2
(if you do not have access to a laptop or tablet, 
please bring a printed copy of your outline)

1) OUTLINE - PART 1: FILL UP - AND SUBMIT TO LEA - ONLY THE SECTION OF YOUR ESSAY OUTLINE (.doc) THAT RELATES TO THE THEORETICAL ELEMENTS DISCUSSED IN CLASS (fill up the first page of the outline only) (leave the sections on your thesis and 2nd paragraph blank).

Filling up this section of the outline will allow you to (1) rethink about our class discussions and (2) help you evaluate your understanding of the theoretical concepts. 

An outline is a structured set of keywords or very short phrases (3-4 words max) that provides a framework for your essay, like a skeleton structure. Only the thesis can be a complete sentence.

Do your best to make sense of our class discussions. I will have time in-class to answer your questions and clarify difficult theoretical concepts.

AI Usage: You may only use the AI prompt on Moodle to brainstorm different ways to organize the points in your first paragraph. That said, you may also simply keep the sequence provided in the outline. If you choose a different sequence, renumber the points in your outline to reflect the new order.

2) FORUM ON 1ST VOLUME: ADD AT LEAST TWO THOUGHTFUL POSTS, INCLUDING A TOTAL OF AT LEAST 200 WORDS,  TO THE FORUM ON THE 1ST VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.

You may add new posts or reply to your peers, or both!

Discuss the conservative and anti-conservative implications of specific scenes and characters in the first volume. Specifically, do they promote a conservative or an anti-conservative mode of social integration? Which specific elements of the conservative immigration policy (discussed in class) do they support, oppose, or revise?

You will notice that this forum is in a different forum style; participants may create topics, each topic generating its own discussion thread. A topic can be about a specific character, a specific scene or a specific element of the conservative immigration policy. You can create new topics or contribute to existing topics. 

Take care.

2nd Learning Experience: THE OUTSIDER


Essay 1: Process Tasks (33.33%)

The successful completion of these process tasks will account for
33.33% of your final grade for the first essay.

Note: The specific tasks will be added to this rubric as we progress through the process together.

Note: Students who seek teacher’s support for this assignment, well in advance, and actively engage with the teacher will be permitted to rewrite specific sections of their essay after receiving their grade.

WEEK 4 (due Feb. 19)

>>> NEXT CLASS: Feb. 19 <<<
Please bring your own personal device (laptop or tablet)
to access ChatGPT and fill up & submit a Word document.
Phones will not be permitted -- to complete this in-class process task.

If you prefer not to use AI, please send me a MIO message.
I will have an alternative activity for you.

If you prefer not to have your forum post included in the anonymous dataset for AI analysis, don't worry. Send me a MIO message.

1) ORAL PRESENTATION: READ CLOSELY THIS INTRODUCTION TO YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION.

You may also click HERE to chat with a chatbot designed to assist you with this assignment. You can, for instance, ask the AI assistant to perform a 'risk assessment' to identify potential risks that could negatively impact this project, or to give you some good tips before recording your presentation.

2) PLAN, DESIGN & RECORD: WITH YOUR PARTNER, [1] PLAN YOUR PRESENTATION (by downloading and completing this worksheet), [2] DESIGN YOUR POWERPOINT SLIDES, AND [3] RECORD YOUR AUDIO TRACK.

SUBMIT YOUR WORKSHEET & VIDEO FILE (not a .PPT file) TO MOODLE, IN 'ORAL PRESENTATION.'

INSTEAD OF SUBMITTING A VIDEO FILE, YOU MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO PRESENT LIVE IN-PERSON OR ON ZOOM. If you prefer this option, please inform your teacher, by MIO message, as soon as possible.

3) SUPERHERO VIDEOS: WATCH THE THREE MOVIE SCENES BELOW FROM SUPERMAN:THE MOVIE (1978) & CAPTAIN AMERICAN: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011).

THESE SCENES WILL SERVE AS A FOUNDATION FOR AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION NEXT CLASS, where we will develop a theoretical framework for your 1st essay project.

As you watch, examine what these scenes suggest about how an outsider or immigrant (namely, the superhero) should behave in order to be accepted: what the outsider should and should not do, and what kind of person they are expected to be to achieve social integration.

See the villain as a person who refuses or fails to conform to this specific model of fitting in and who, as a result, is ultimately excluded from the community.

Also, reflect on the community the outsider wishes to join. How does the general population behave towards the outsider? What responsibilities does the community have in helping integrate a new citizen?

>>>>>> SUPERMAN (helicopter scene) <<<<<<

>>>>>> CAPTAIN AMERICA (flag-pole scene) <<<<<<

>>>>>> CAPTAIN AMERICA (grenade scene) <<<<<<

4) MOODLE FORUM (one post): ANY TIME BEFORE OUR NEXT CLASS, ADD ONE OR TWO POSTS OR REPLIES (totalling at least 200 words) TO THE MOODLE FORUM ON 'SUPERHERO STORIES.'

Read very closely the instructions at the top of the forum thread, and make sure to develop your preliminary analysis by referring to multiple specific details in the three videos you just watched.

This submission is part of the second completion task in the process of developing your first essay. To complete this process task, you need to also complete the individual activity next class. Process tasks will account for 33.33% of your final grade for the first essay.

Take care!

ORAL PRESENTATION

ANALYSIS OF A WEBCOMIC
a web comic is designed to be read online
PRESENTATIONS (video & worksheet) 
ARE DUE ON FEB. 19 BEFORE CLASS

STUDY THE EVALUATION GRID CLOSELY

STUDY THE WORKSHEET (which includes the instructions
and will need to be submitted on Moodle)

Here are three presentations that may inspire you:



7.5% ASSESSMENT OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF COMICS

This 45-minute quiz will cover most elements and theoretical concepts presented in the videos and/or discussed in class (see list below).

Each student can bring one double-sided sheet of notes. These notes must be hand-written and hand-drawn directly on a regular (8.5 X 11 inches) paper sheet -- by the individual student. The teacher will collect and keep the notes at the end of the assessment.

Specifically, the test will cover:

SPLIT PANELS

SPLIT PANELS FORCE READERS TO EXPERIENCE THE
THIRD TENSION BETWEEN SURFACE AND SEQUENCE
BY PRESENTING TWO CONTRASTING WAYS OF
READING OF THE PANELS:

(1) AS A TEMPORAL SEQUENCE OF THREE DISTINCT
PANELS... THREE SUCCESSIVE MOMENTS

&

(2) AS ONE SINGLE IMAGE... ONE SURFACE...
ONE MOMENT

 STANDARD SPLIT PANEL

THE GUTTERS - NON-DIEGETIC ELEMENTS - DIVIDE AN IMAGE INTO SEPARATE PANELS


DIEGETIC SPLIT PANEL

A DIEGETIC ELEMENT - AN OBJECT THAT IS PART OF THE CHARACTERS' WORLD -
DIVIDES THE PANEL INTO SEPARATE IMAGES

WEEK 3 (due Feb. 12)

>>> NEXT CLASS: FEB. 12 <<<

GROUP WORK ON YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION
>> bring your laptops <<

45-MINUTE TEST (7.5%)
 >> more info here <<

1) VIDEO: WATCH CLOSELY THE FOLLOWING VIDEO ON THE LAST TENSION:

>>>>>> TENSION 4 <<<<<<

NEW TOPIC: SUPERHERO COMICS

2) VIDEO: WATCH CLOSELY -- WHILE TAKING DETAILED NOTES --  THE FOLLOWING VIDEO ON THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF MAINSTREAM COMICS:

>>>>>> PRODUCTION PROCESS <<<<<<

END OF CONTENT COVERED BY THE TEST NEXT WEEK

3) TEST PREPARATION: DESIGN YOUR DOUBLE-SIDED SHEET OF NOTES.
  • Each student can bring one double-sided sheet of notes.
  • These notes must be entirely hand-written and hand-drawn directly on a regular (8.5 X 11 inches) paper sheet -- by the individual student.
  • The teacher will collect and keep the notes at the end of the in-class test.
4) READING: FINISH READING THE 1ST VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.

As you read:

LOOK FOR FOUR SPECIFIC SCENES THAT PROMOTE TRADITIONAL HEROIC BEHAVIOURS OR WAYS OF THINKING.

LOOK FOR FOUR SPECIFIC SCENES THAT PROMOTE ANTI-HEROIC BEHAVIOURS OR WAYS OF THINKING. The fourth should relate to the scene where Clark present his interview with Superman to Perry White, the chief editor of the Daily Planet.

THE SCENES CAN RELATE TO ANY CHARACTER, INCLUDING THE VILLAINS. 

5) WORKSHEET / SUBMISSION: FULL UP AND SUBMIT TO LEA THIS WORKSHEET ON SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE. 

This submission is the first completion task in the process of developing your first essay. Keep in mind that process tasks will account for 33.33% of your final grade for the first essay.

6) ORAL PRESENTATION: WITH YOUR PARTNER, EXAMINE A NUMBER OF WEB COMICS TO IDENTIFY ONE THAT STANDS OUT FROM A VISUAL POINT OF VIEW.

Find a webcomic that is interesting in terms of the cartoonist's creative use of varied graphic elements (e.g., special panel types, borders, gutters, colors, handwriting, bubble tails, panel overlap, camera shots, ways to guide the reader's gaze, degree of realism, etc.) to tell the story and affect readers. Try to find a web comic that takes advantage of vertical scrolling!

Do not read the story; do not focus on the characters and what what they do. This is not a literary analysis. This is an analysis of the visual elements. Focus strictly on how it looks!

In your oral presentation, you will examine the reasons why the author drew the lines, gutters, colors, or faces specifically this way… and not any other way. You may refer to the story, the characters and their actions but only to help your audience better understand the significance of the graphic elements.

I encourage you to explore webcomics specifically designed for online reading, such as those with a vertical scrolling format. These webcomics often stand out because of the creative use of transitions and gutters.

Webcomics are created to be published and read online, not on paper like regular comics. Here are three websites you may use to find webcomics: WebToon, Top Web Comics, and WebComics Hub. You can also use ChatGPT's Deep Research, using the prompt in the AI section on Moodle. 

Take care.

TENSION #4

PRODUCTION PROCESS OF MAINSTREAM COMICS

SUBJECT-TO-SUBJECT

TENSION #3

Sequence vs. Surface
Brain vs. Eyes

We experience the third tension when some graphic detail on the page grabs our attention and pulls our eyes away from the top-left panel.

Our brain wants to read the panels in a linear fashion, as a sequence, starting from the top-left panel, but our eyes see the page as a surface, one complete image, and are naturally drawn to the most eye-catching detail.


TENSION #2

WEEK 2 (due Feb. 4-5)

NEXT CLASS: Thursday, Feb. 5

In-class test on comic book elements & tensions: Feb. 12

1) VIDEO: WHILE TAKING DETAILED NOTES, WATCH SHORT VIDEO INTRODUCING THE 2ND TENSION:

>>>>>> TENSION 2 <<<<<<

2) READING: IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2ND TENSION, READ AND TAKE DETAILED NOTES ON THE SIX TRANSITIONS  PRESENTED BY SCOTT McCLOUD (pp. 6-16 in course pack) (pdf).

Make sure to understand each transition (presented on page 13 and explained on pages 14-16) (p.14 in pdf). 

Keep in mind that in the upcoming test, in two weeks, you may be required to create your own panel transitions.  

3) MOODLE ACTIVITY: PRACTICE YOUR ABILITY TO IDENTIFY TRANSITIONS BY TAKING THE MOODLE EXERCISE QUIZ ON TRANSITIONS IN 'ACTIVITIES."

Retake the test as many times as needed to reach at least 80%. If you struggle to reach 80% after multiple attempts, do not worry; send me a MIO message. I will support you.

4) MOODLE FORUM (one post / one reply): READ INSTRUCTIONS ON WEEK-2 MOODLE FORUM CLOSELY.

24 HOURS BEFORE OUR NEXT CLASS, ADD ONE MAIN POST, including your own two transitions with explanations.

ANY TIME BEFORE OUR NEXT CLASS, REPLY TO ONE PEER IN AT LEAST FOUR THOUGHTFUL & FULLY DEVELOPED SENTENCES.

5) READING: READ CLOSELY, WHILE TAKING DETAILED NOTES, CHRIS VOSTERS' SHORT GRAPHIC ESSAY "NAVIGATING COMICS" (pdf) ON THE 5 EXPLICIT & 3 IMPLICIT WAYS TO GUIDE THE READER'S GAZE (pp. 36-42 in course pack).

6) VIDEO: WATCH, WHILE TAKING DETAILED NOTES, THE FOLLOWING VIDEO:

>>>>>> TENSION 3 <<<<<<

7) ORAL PRESENTATION: FIND A PARTNER IN THE CLASS.

Students who do not have a partner need to email the teacher by MIO before next class. 

8) < due in two weeks: Feb. 12 > READING: READ THE 1ST VOLUME OF SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE.

As you read:

LOOK FOR FOUR SPECIFIC SCENES THAT PROMOTE TRADITIONAL HEROIC BEHAVIOURS OR WAYS OF THINKING.

LOOK FOR FOUR SPECIFIC SCENES THAT PROMOTE ANTI-HEROIC BEHAVIOURS OR WAYS OF THINKING. The fourth must relate to the scene where Clark present his interview with Superman to Perry White, the chief editor of the Daily Planet.

THE SCENES CAN RELATE TO ANY CHARACTER, INCLUDING THE VILLAINS.  

9) < due in two weeks: Feb. 12 > WORKSHEET / SUBMISSION: FULL UP AND SUBMIT TO LEA THIS WORKSHEET ON SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE. 

This submission is the first completion task in the process of developing your first essay. Keep in mind that process tasks will account for 33.33% of your final grade for the first essay.

Take care.

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