summer bridge survey

please take the time to take your exist survey. kate and i will cry cry cry when we don't see you everyday.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Yj9ry1sh6j5CWx609bVh7Q_3d_3d

Over the past four weeks we have had about 7 lectures. Out of all the lectures we have been to what one was most beneficial to you? What did you learn? and why did you like it? Did any of them change the way you view things?

current events

colton will put up a question, but since you already answered sam's question in bulk--i've put up some articles and current events i'd like you to think about and talk about.

• assault victim's compensation is reduced because of alchohol use
• olympics use girl's voice, but not her face
• Bush says, "we don't have any problems."
• interesting art world 

please post the news you're interested in too.

8/12

What did everyone think of Pineapple Express? if you've seen it. Do you think movies about weed and the support of these movies will maybe have an effect whether or not weed will be legalized one day? or not? and why?

8/11 Blog Question

As we all know, Bernie Mac passed away early Sunday. How do you think people reacted to his death? Will his legacy still be present? How would other comedians (friends) continue on their careers without him there? How does it make you feel?

Essays Due

Hi, everyone.

I've only received emails with essays from two of you! Send the rest my way.

blogs

Today, Alexis blog from last week needs to be responded to.  Also, Tiara needs to post a blog question right at the beginning of class so that can be responded to as well.  Colton and Samantha were supposed to do the blog questions last week, but we had presentations in class so --can you two do it for Tuesday?  

Remember to have awesome answers so Kate has stuff to respond to.  

Intuit

In case you wanted more information or to visit again--Intuit Museum website is here.

Henry Darger information is here. (Be sure to check out the external links)

I want to, again, invite you to send your papers for review and comments. Both of us check our email often and will be happy to talk to you via email or phone or in person. You just need to reach out to us with reasonable time.

Next week, Monday, we have our last lecture:

August 11 – Joan Giroux (Art & Design)

Joan Giroux is an interdisciplinary artist, activist and educator. Ranging from discrete handmade objects, digital photomontage, kinetic sculpture and installation to full-scale theatrical productions and community interventions, her work reflects strong interests in language, history, game theory and social conditioning.
Since 1987 Giroux has received various grants and awards, and performed and exhibited at venues in the US and abroad.

(This sounds really interesting! Think about social art and try to see how she relates her work, if she does, to language and issues of translation.)

What is it about "you" that affects others?

This can be something that is positive or negative.

Why do people change from what they originally were into what they are now?

today's lecture

August 6 – Kevin Henry (Art & Design)
The title of the talk could be: The Many Ironies of Technology.
The content will be a brief exploration of the way in which technologies are both liberating and confining, life affirming and life threatening, life enhancing and life diminishing. I will talk about the ways in which technology (which I define as anything that amplifies or extends our abilities as humans- including the pencil, the printing press, the ipod, etc.) can radically alter not only our lives (for good and bad) but more importantly our habits, outlooks, and ways of doing things and how it often takes a generation or more to even notice the change. I will also talk about the ways in which humans embrace and battle these changes.

8/6

Why do we talk about identity so much? How do you relate to people the most? Is there a certain technique that you use to get to know others?

8/5 Question 2

Do you think that the music you listen to somehow affects you in the way you dress, talk, or view things? Would you be able to go a day without listening to music? What types of music do you listen to and why?

Science in the News

violence hangs over animal researchers:

how is this related to our lecture yesterday? what do you think about this?

8/5 question

Think about the punk ass government... Why do you think we have completely ridicoulous laws?Think of 1 law that if you could you would change.Why this law? What do you think would be the aftermath to this law becoming legal?

August 5, 2008

Do you believe you will be the same person that you are now in ten years? As in style, maturity, and interests. Do you think that it is impossible to stay the same? Were you the way you are even five years ago, or has all these things changed?

today's lecture

August 4 – Heather Wols (Math & Science)

Title: Choreographing the immune response: the delicate dance between microbes and man. A story of the plasma cell.

We are bombarded with germs on a daily basis, yet we are rarely sick! This protection is due, in part, to specific white blood cells of our immune system called plasma cells. The sole function of these cells is to produce immune proteins called antibodies, which circulate through our body surveying for pathogens. Specifically, my research is focused on determining the necessary elements in the bone marrow environment that promote plasma cell survival. The results of this research will provide understanding of the components necessary for lasting antibody production and may have implications for greater vaccine efficacy and enhanced immunity. 

Bridge Guest Policy

This weekend I have friends in town, two of which attend Columbia and have their Columbia cards. I went to go check them in and all was going well until I had to show the security my ID. After seeing it, they said "oh, you can't have guests," immediately I replied "I pay $1,250 to NOT have guests?" They tell me it's not their problem. I was just curious as to how I pay the same as everyone else in the building, and yet I cannot have guests while others have them all the live long day. I would like for someone to show me where it is written that I cannot have guests because frankly I believe that is complete bullshit. Especially since two of the three go to Columbia, and the other goes to Loyola. I have seen people in the Bridge program have guests, so I am just utterly baffled. Is what they are doing legal? Can they rightfully tell me I cannot have guests when I pay for all this?

good example

This is a good example of how to (1) talk about a book in a critical way and (2) take the issues of the book into a larger, more global context/consideration.   Not to mention, it's really interesting.

Also, thanks for your cooperation Thursday afternoon with the big class.  You all did wonderful (as usual).  The objective of that was to prepare you for your "artistic translation" project.  We've been asking you, the whole time, to consider images and text: how they work together, how they both can be "read," and how to begin "translating."  The idea of a multi media presentation is for your ideas to become "translated" into multiple interpretations.  We'll keep working on this, but I wanted you to understand the method to the MADNESS.

You are my favorite bridge class.

Blog question II

How is your relationship with you parents? Is strong or weak? How have your parents influenced you in your life? Is it positive or negative?

8/4

When it comes to priorities, do you believe you have your priorities in order? And if you think you do, are you working to the best of your abilities to achieve these goals?

contacts from lecture

some of you have asked for contact information for the lecturers:

Akintonde , Shanita
Professor & First-Year Student Liaison,
Marketing Communication
624 S. Michigan, Rm. 800
sakintonde@colum.edu

Hawkins , Amy
Faculty,
English Faculty, Cultural Studies
33 E. Congress, Rm. 300-V
ahawkins@colum.edu

Berner , David
Faculty,
Radio 33 E. Congress, Suite 700 D
dberner@colum.edu

Shonekan , Stephanie
Assistant Director,
Cultural Studies Faculty, Liberal Education
624 S. Michigan, Rm. 900-E
sshonekan@colum.edu

Upcoming Lecturers

Minges Wols , Heather
Professor of Biology, Science & Math
623 S. Wabash Ave., Room 500 I
@colum.edu

Henry , Kevin
Faculty, Product Design, Art & Design
623 S. Wabash, Rm. 800 H
khenry@colum.edu

Giroux , Joan Faculty,
Fine Art, Art & Design
623 S. Wabash Ave, 901 C
jgiroux@colum.edu

7/31 question 2

If you could go anywhere in the world and make a change where would you go? Why this place?What would you do there?

7/31 question

Think of a time when something happened to you that changed your life forever. What did this do to you? How did it make you feel? What was the aftermath of this incident? Was it good?

Even blogging can be seen through a gender lens

This article in the New York Times considers if female bloggers are taken as seriously as male bloggers. Is the computer our way into a gender and race free (or neutral) society or will the same problems continue?

And here is a very intelligent response to the article.

For Tiara and the class

Tiara asked for some writing worksheets and you all might need some information on grammar and syntax. Here's a good source: Owl at Purdue. Use this to look up any MLA formatting questions, essay style concerns, and general grammar/punctuation issues.

In Preparation of Our Scavenger Hunt!

Could each of you make a list of five themes that you are interested in that have been popping up in your book, in workshop, in museum visits, in lectures, on the blog, etc.?

artists and celebrity

We've been talking about celebrity culture and we've been considering dominant and marginalized culture.  Generally, artists are perceived as part of marginalized culture--not akin to celebrity.  Of course, there have beene exceptions like Andy Warhol.  Here's an article about two contemporary artists who are in the public sphere; who are becoming a part of dominant culture.  What do you think about this--what does it mean for an artist to have a "factory" where their art is produced by workers?  What does it mean that they are likened to consumer brands?  What do the phrases superart and superartists mean?

7/30 Question's

How have movies effected daliy life, perspective, our generation? Tell a specific movie and compare it to American life?

7/30 Question's

Reading the texts of your novel do you visialize what you read? Could you tell a specific quote that you visualize more? How do you feel when you visualize the text. Example: does it seem unclear?

Homonyms!!!

Homonyms are words that have similar pronunciations, but different meanings. Mistakes relating to homonyms are popping up all over your papers and blog posts. Can any of you list some homonyms and supply the multiple meanings?

better than the dark knight

yes, before Batman there were other, darker things. This book: The Left Hand of Darkness is an awesome read. So good you'll be weeping!

speaking of beauty in america

Is this related to advertising? Is this related to acne mp3 players?

Teenage Plastic Surgery

b/c kate said she's a feminst

Let's look at language, what's wrong with the title of this article?

healthcare?

Now there might be cameras that montior our healthcare and obesity levels. Check out the blog posting and consider the questions they ask about surveillance.

Static Obesity Logging

Advertising Website

For those of you who are interested in advertising and media relations, this is a good site and you can join their mailing list to be informed about new ad campaigns and discussions about what's happening in that industry.  

Creativity Online!

product

What do you think about a product like this?  Is this a gimmick?  Would you use it?  Does it relate to our obsession with beauty?  

The beauty industry, by the way, makes more profit than any other industry.  Interesting or surprising?  Is this an "American" issue or a global issue?  Is this contemporary?

7/28 Blog Question 4

With all these advertisements trying to sell you things or grab your attention, do you feel that you are being attacked by all of this? Do you see this as a form of graffiti(vandilism)? What age group do you think that this mostly affects? Do you think that there is too much advertisement and that this is the only way for businesses to communicate with consumers?

7/28 Blog Question 3

In Our America, the kids in the book don't see the government or cops as a helping hand. They live in the projects and see crime everyday. If you were to be in their shoes how would you view the government? How would you see cops? Would you be interested at all in what the government does?

7/28 blog question II

As we compare each book that we are reading, we see the characters as a representation of society. However, in society we don't see the characters in our books as what we should attain to. My question is, why do we focus (media focus, ambition, economic focus, etc.) on the top five percent?

7/28

Think about a flim that identifies with you the most. What is it? When did you see this film, and how has it changed your look on the world? Also, think of character in this film and what do you have in common with them. If you dont have anything in common with a character, what is the character like?

Jung Personality Tests

Here's link for the Carl Jung archetypes tests we were talking about yesterday.

The Last American Man

If you are reading The Last American Man, use this post to comment on the book and ask questions. Do you like Eustace? What do you think about the way he lives his life?

Stranger than Fiction

If you are reading Stranger than Fiction, try posting questions, comments, and observations. What do you think about this book so far?

Our America

If you are reading Our America, try posting questions, comments, observations. Try starting a conversation about the book.

kudos

Josh, awesome job responding to everyone's image (except mine!). It's this kind of extra effort that's expected of you as college students.

When you are responding to each other's posts, think about how this kind of writing is like and unlike "conversation." Why is speaking easier than writing? Why is it more difficult?

Today, After Lunch

We'll meet in room 316 (computer lab on 3rd floor of 33 E. Congress) to partner with Aaron's class. There's a link on the sidebar of this blog called "Redefining Difference" that we'll use during the salon.

Excited? You should be.

Art (?)

In our post lecture we mentioned this artist from Yale who was working on her senior project dealing with abortion/miscarriage and the difficulty of that language.  Here's some info:

An article.  

Even a wikipedia entry!

An image of the studio with some of the art in the background.

Now, even though there is the question of whether or not it is "art," there are other important issues to address.  Like freedom, like whether or not we know how to talk about this, and INTENTION.  As artists, we have to be really careful when we say "that's not art" or judge another artist because it limits our own ability to be able to create.  If we are going to judge other people's art as fitting some standard, we need to realize that there is no standard for art.  If there was, we would have been stuck in a box and art would not be able to affect and seek social impact and change.  While no art has an OBLIGATION to anything in particular, it is good to know that it can reinvent itself and go beyond the perspective of "accepted art."  

Los Angeles Times columnist, Meghan Daum, says that the Aliza Shvarts controversy isn't eve all that original; many artists, including photographer Cindy Sherman and multimedia artist Judy Chicago, have incorporated menstrual blood into their work. (Read article here).

As for those maybe-miscarriages and their role in performance art, hoax or some combination thereof, Shvarts has nothing on 18th century Englishwoman Mary Tofts. In 1726, Toft became a sensation when she managed to convince the public and much of the medical community that she was repeatedly giving birth to rabbits.

Part of art is to do the unexpected and sometimes that means to offend.  Is offense sometimes a catalyst for change?  Why does art offend us sometimes?  Why are we even offended?

Blog Question 7/24

Now we are so far in the novels, we've seen many struggles about the characters' lives. Do these struggles relate to fitting in? Have you ever felt out of your element? Tell me a specific story about your struggles as person. Why was this situation meaningful to you?

.Judging a book by its cover.

What do you think about the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover"? Do you feel that there are advantages and disadvantages to this? Do you think that the cover always has to relate to the story, or maybe be the answer to one of your questions that you have throughout the whole story?

also

Check your blog posts and blog comments from yesterdays class to see comments from me about them.  Mostly, a string of questions because that is part of how we get you moving past simple binaries and into complicated thinking.  Don't be afraid to be confused by questions or be confused about why you are being asked so many questions--there will be an aha! moment even if it happens ten years after this class.  Some parts of college will "wash over" you and begin to find connections later.  An amazing thing about the brain is that, if you are confused, you are building new synapse connections and making the brain more linked part by part.  

More interesting brain things can be read in this article from the Guardian!

Work Study and Student Aid at CCC

Alexis asked about work study opportunity at CCC.  To get this information, contact the Student Employment Office:

Student Employment Office
623 S. Wabash, Suite 313
Chicago, IL 60605
Tele: 312-344-8521 Fax: 312-344-8417
E-mail: studentemployment@colum.edu 


HOURS 
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program which provides part-time jobs to eligible undergraduate, graduate and second bachelor's degree students. Earnings must be used to defray educationally related expenses. Depending on the amount of the award, students may work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. Jobs are usually on campus, but may be available at off-campus sites. Funding is limited. 
Students must have a complete financial aid file for the current academic year in order to be considered for FWS, be enrolled in at least six credit hours and continuing students must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. A student must show need in order to be considered for FWS. Funds are limited; awarding will cease when funds are exhausted. 
Students who participate in the FWS program receive a paycheck on the 1st and 15th day of each calendar month for which they are employed. The program is administered by the Office of Student Financial Services and the Student Employment Office. 

There are a limited number of positions so the faster you do this, the better your chances are.  Internships are generally available junior year of college.  Other places to look for work on campus include the library, food services (Plum Cafe), Echo Magazine, the Columbia Chronicle, and Critical Encounters.  The radio station and TV station have positions for students in their departments, but sometimes prefer second or third year students.  Always ask.  Always include a cover letter with a resume. 

Craigslist is another good place to look for job openings off campus.  If you know of any other websites or links for jobs, post them for your peers.  I can think of a few like idealist.org (non profits and NGO's).  I was telling Alexis about AFSC (http://www.afsc.org/jobs/default.htm) as a good place for volunteer work that can lead to a good position.  Public Action for Change Today (PACT) is another good one that is also a "community partner" with CCC: PACT is a cross-race, broad-based citizen organization in the IAF tradition, the first of its kind to be organized and led by young adults (aged 16-35). This organization was founded by 1083 young Chicago leaders on December 11, 2005, after two years of initial organizing and campaign work. PACT is making vital contributions to the fields of leadership development, community organizing, and youth organizing. www.chicagopact.org.  The AFC (AIDS Federation of Chicago) is another "community partner."  

Keep letting your peers know about these kinds of opportunities as you hear about them.

Imagination Vs. Visual

How can a book or novel entertain the thoughts of someone who is accustomed to playing games, or seeing rather than thinking? How could imagining scenarios be more productive to a person who finds video games more entertaining than actually imagining what is happening in a book?

What is it about a book that interests you? What draws you into the story? Is there somthing you look for in the story to keep your attention?

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"

This is Huey Freeman a character on a show titled "The Boondocks". He's named after Huey P. Newton one of the most influential figures in History, and in The Black community. I identify with him because he is only 12 and a leftist revolutionary. When I was 12 I was the same way, and still am to this day...We share the same views and feelings. He sees alot of problems in this world, and so do I.

I Am America, and So Are We.

I feel I can relate to Stephen Colbert because I am always interested in what people have to say, but I tend to act goofy even in situations where it is not neccessary. I think too many people take things too seriously, such as politics. I also believe that people assume just because someone dresses a certain way; such as Colbert wearing suits, that they do not expect such random and entertaining ideas. There you have it.

: ]

Thirteen is a movie about a girl who was going through a really hard time in her life. She changed her image, got into drugs, and made new freinds. She changed everything to try to find herself and be excepted in a new group.

I can relate to this character, because when I transfered into a new school I changed my image and tried to find the reall me. I ended up getting involved with "bad groups of friends" and when I was really trying to help myself I dragged myself down even more.

Like the character in the movie I was able to over come all the bad stuff and take control of my life.

Identification: EAGLE

An EAGLE to me represents freedom, strength, edurance, power, determination, fierce-ness. An exceptional figure. I relate beacause I have all these characteristics and MORE!!!!! I own my surrounding's.

These Tigers show some part of how i feel .

Most of the time I feel free. I want out. I feel so trapped in a place that wouldn't even allow me to breath. Why me? Could I just be me? I want to do things that interest me. Go away!! Stop jugding me! I'm only one person, let me be!!! Stop crowding around telling me what to do. I'm furious and in rage, I can't think straight. Just let go it's getting old. Just FREE ME!! I wouldn't mind being a tiger to show how strong minded I could be.

Bishop Don Magic Wan is a straight up pimp, hustler, and a baller. If I could be like Bishop Don Magic Wan life would be sweet. I would ride around every day in my decked out caddilac and go to the best clubs every night. I would drink the finest liquor and hang out with the finest women. I think I am somewhat like Don Magic Wan because I love women and i am always trying to husltle. Even if I have the money to pay for something I try to get it for free or cheaper. The biggest difference is I am not a yet a baller. But soon i will be a baller and hanging out in a mansion kickin it with Bishop Don Magic Wan.

Character: Pearline

I guess I would be most like Pearline, from Ghost Dog because she carries around a bag of books and, some of them, she hasn't read but still seems connected to because of the images or the ideas in the books. Pearline seems to want a lot--she wants Ghost Dog to be her friend, she wants to understand the way the world works, she wants to be able to explain her thoughts. Pearline, sometimes, lives in her head and the world of ideas.

Also, I feel like a kid most of the times. I feel like I don't understand how to be an adult and I don't understand why we have to do things like wear shoes or wait to eat dessert until after dinner. I feel like being a kid makes more sense than being an adult--I see being an adult as a social construct--as something that goes against our nature most of the times.

In the scene where Ghost Dog, Pearline, and the French ice cream guy are talking and nobody understands each other, I think that scene is like what happens every time I talk to anyone. There's so much translation to do, so much that we can't express that we are thinking. Somehow they all still talk to each other, eat ice cream, and play chess.

I feel like I can relate most to Rocky Balboa. Growing up on a farm and competing in tons of sports, work was a necessity, and if you didn't have grit, you didn't cut it. I compare baling hay in August to Rocky doing sit-ups while getting punches to the stomach. If I am determined to do something, I will give it everything I have, and not give up until K.O. It's the eye of the tiger...

7/22 wrap up

Hey,

After our post lecture conversation, I am pretty convinced we have the most awesome group. You are all inquisitive and you are all willing to think outside of the box. Keep looking for connections and then, when that becomes comfortable, start seeing if you can question this kind of thinking too. Are critics of postmodernism and associative thinking correct? What do you think a critic would say? If we find connections between everything, what does that do to individual experience and individual ideas? Try not to get comfortable in a way of thinking, but try to experience a variety of different approaches to thinking and thought processes.

I might have fallen in love with you all. Keep up the good work.

-Kristen

7/22 Blog Response

Based on what you've read so far, what do you know about the characters in your books? In what way has the writer deliberately introduced you to the characters and the text that will follow? Do you feel connected to any characters? In what ways? Do you feel a disconnect between you and any characters? In what ways? What experience or expertise do you have that helps you relate to the characters?

How do you think these characters and their traits will affect the rest of the book? How will the connections or detachments between yourself and the characters affect YOUR reading, interpretation, and understanding of the text?

7/21 Blog Response

What are your expectations for Bridge English Studies? What are your goals? If you could learn one thing from this class, what would it be?

What do you think our expectations are for you? What goals do you think we have for you? What questions to you have?

Welcome!

This is YOUR place for inquiry and conversation. Since you have the advantage of a computer at your fingertips, find links and relevant articles/art/text/videos. Let this place work for YOU so it's an extension of the classroom, your readings, and writings. Try to find connections, develop questions, and begin proposing some thoughtful considerations. We are interested in what YOU have to say. We are interested in seeing how YOU and your peers relate to each other and to the texts.

Have fun blogging!