Directions for weekly Reading Logs

A. WHY LOGS:

To understand the role of the Reading LOGS for this class, let's look at the ESSENTIAL OBJECTIVES for DIMENSIONS.

Essential Objectives: (Known as EO's)

1. Interpret, analyze, and evaluate a text and its sources.
2. Demonstrate foundational information literacy, research skills, and academic honesty necessary for academic writing.
3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in both online and classroom settings.
4. Apply effective strategies for building new knowledge and skills through reflection on learning preferences, challenges, and goals.
5. Identify possible career goals and educational pathways.
6. Examine social issues through the lens of the individual and society.
7. Examine personal assumptions and biases, and ethical impacts of decision making and participation in society.
8. Consider issues from multiple perspectives and discuss, debate, and defend ideas with clarity and reason.

The LOGS are intended to help you accomplish many of these.

EO#1: You will be reading and then ask to interpret, analyze and evaluate texts. This includes assigned readings each week, plus out two supplementary texts, JUST MERCY & ON TYRANNY. 

EO #2: Sometimes you will need to do a little extra research to answer some of the LOG questions, in addition to research on your particular author. You are encouraged in fact to research these passages before you do your LOGS; although this is not required, a little detective work will help with your comprehension, especially when we look at complex passages.

Just be sure NOT to ever copy and paste text found in other sources, as that is plagiarism, and will not only cost you points for the assignment but is considered academic dishonesty. If you provide source citations, that is fine, or else rephrase using your OWN WORDS. 

EO #3 Not only will you practice writing by completing your lLOGS, you will practice communication skills when we will also TALK about the passages in class, (Note: Sometimes you will also write about the readings  or videos watched in the LEARNING ACTIVITIES.)

EO# 7: Always these passages should be prompting reflection asking you to look at your own assumptions and consider ethical issues.

EO #8: In our class discussions and online Forums, you will be working on articulating your perspectives, considering different viewpoints, and engaging in what hopefully will be a thought-provoking discussion.

B. HOW LOGS WILL WORK:

LOGS are the one type of assignment which I don't accept late, as I consider the weekly reading and their analysis as critical class preparation for our ZOOM sessions. Even if you don't get the LOG done, try your hardest to at least get the reading done, so that you can participate.

1. Read the assigned reading and then review the questions on the logs, and do your best to answer them.

2. Feel free to make educated guesses; I am looking mostly that you have attempted thoughtful wrangling with the material, versus that you got everything "right". "MAYBE..... (and then provide your theory or speculation) is an okay way to respond - just provide your evidence for that theory or guess based on the text itself. What does the TEXT say? There is a balance in not reading into a text too much (thus imposing our own ideas onto the text which don't belong), but also do consider things like what it leaves out (why is that?) or what it ALLUDES to but doesn't say directly.

3. Make it a habit to read the text more than once. We usually read the first time for the narrative. The second time, because once we have the CONTEXT, a second read allows us to dive more deeply.

4. Each LOG asks you to identify a discussion question to pose to the class. Coming to ZOOM with a question helps even INTROVERTS have an easy way to enter the conversation. You don't always have to have an "answer". Sometimes a penetrating question can be even more useful.

I hope this helps! Please let me know what other questions you have!