« Critically examining narratives and representation | Main | Corporate Image, Policy, and Culture Investigation »
November 09, 2005
The commentary
From Elisa Norris
In preparation for the commentary writing assignment, students screened either “Before Stonewall” or “After Stonewall.” I told them that they should be paying attention to any patterns or trends that may emerge as identifying patterns and trends is the first step toward writing a commentary. Also, I asked that they take detailed notes so that they may refer to them during our discussions. At the next class meeting, the conversation was pretty informal in that I didn’t have a script in mind: no points that I wanted to be sure to address. Instead, we just talked. They shared the new information they learned, their ignorance about this particular community, and general responses and comments. Ultimately, I wanted students to begin to understand that all communities deal with social issues in particular ways. The films served as alternative terministic screens from which students could see other worldviews and hear other voices. For their writing, I challenged them examine their immediate context, identify any patterns and trends, and write a commentary that analyzes these patterns and trends as a way to understand a cultural phenomenon. Also, I reiterated that their commentaries should do more than analyze: they should offer some resolutions or conclusions.
Posted by gr at November 9, 2005 11:19 AM