Overview of Week 8

Hello there,

During weeks 8 - 11 will be working on our final project on the First Amendment of the U. S. Bill of Rights. This is a research project meant to build your skills and capacity to navigate the VSC online libraries as well as internet research. This project will take more time than our weekly readings from the past seven weeks. Remember, the expectation for a three credit course is nine hours of homework each week. You have likely not spent that much time on this course each week. However, I want to warn you that the workload for the last four weeks will increase. I also want to remind you that if you find anything challenging or have questions, please reach out to me! I'm available to chat and email and discuss anything that you're struggling with. The more specific you are in your email questions the better I can assist you. 

This week we will get started by developing an understanding of the following:

  • What is the Bill of Rights? What is the First Amendment? Background information and learning about the first amendment.
  • How does the Supreme Court impact the interpretation of the first amendment?
  • Why is free speech essential to self-government? 

Read/ Watch:

Interactive Reading: For the following text we will use the Hypothesis tool which allows us as a class to make notes on (annotate) the text. Click on the module for this reading or click this link: “Why is Free Speech Essential to Self-Government?”   

Read the text, then go back and do your annotations: 

  1. Post at least TWO annotations of this text -- an annotation is when you highlight text and then write something about it. You might point out how this relates to something we've studied, discuss your interest in the highlighted text -- why is this freedom important? how does this freedom support democracy? etc. 
  2. Post one question to your peers - same thing, highlight the text you're discussing, then type your question and post. 
  3. Answer one of your peers' questions -- find a question that interests you and respond to it.

    ***Hypothesis Links to an external site. Follow this link for an overview of how to post an annotation on the text.***

 

Assignments: 

VSC Libraries Resources: This link takes you to a page that has six essential tabs that will help you develop research skills. This link is also located in the left-hand column of all CCV Courses. For this week, click on read, review, study the three links below. Note, that at any time you can click on the Get Help Icon and chat with/ email a librarian. Their job is to help you and support you with your research.  

Library Orientation Links to an external site.

Searching for Information Links to an external site.

Evaluating Information Links to an external site.

Reading Response 8: Getting to Know the VSC Library System 

Discussion 8: Free Speech & Self Governance

NOTE: I will be camping this week from Thursday - Sunday. I will not have a lot of service. I can respond to emails at emily.casey@ccv.edu. PLEASE try to get started on your work early this week in case you have questions.