Letter to next year's cohort

What did you learn? What might you have done differently? and any advices.

This course helped me a lot on my writing. At first, I felt that the class had so much stuffs to do. At least one paper was due every week, and when I thought those papers were graded and actually part of the total grade, it seemed like the papers were giving me too much pressure. However, once I got used to all these works, it became much easier to create my own works. I think it will be better if you choose your final research paper topic as soon as possible. Then, you will have a lot more time than anyone else in class, and your paper will be developed more.

I learned the basic writing skills, including citation, rhetorical analysis, creating arguments and counterargument, and criticism. It was certainly difficult to learn, since all those things are that I didn't learn in highschool, but I really enjoyed learning new things.

Liz is also very friendly, easily approachable, and flexible. She makes students feel free to ask her questions, and helps a lot to understand many things in class.

I am so glad that I chose this class as my writing class!

Blog Response 28/11/12

I usually write papers in my room, in the very late night(like 2AM) after my roommate goes to sleep. It also means that I don't eat, drink, or listen to music when I write. I do like doing homework in the library, but I don't like writing papers in the library mainly because I can be easily distracted by everything in the library. I personally think that doing homework and writing papers are different. I need much more concentration and time to write papers than when I do simple calculation homework.

I don't mean that my roommate is noisy or distracts me, yet she is actually really kind. However, when she goes to sleep, I feel like I am the only one in the room. I believe that this time is when I have the greatest concentration to do anything.

In addition, in order to write papers in the very late night, I usually think about what I am going to write about, making plans during the day. Then, I can have a dozen of times to think about the paper. This makes me write papers in much shorter time.

Prompt #12 Response

I really enjoyed the Simon Event last week. Since I went there, expecting this event would be about the graduate level of business studies that I don't know anything about, I was little worried that I could fall asleep during the event. However, that event was about interesting differences of various asian culture, including Japan and India. It was kind of an introduction of how to start the business in those countries. The presentation really captured the audiences attention, by using interesting video clips and photos. I thought that it would be great if I didn't miss anything.

I was especially interested about differences in culture among various region in India, surprised by the fact that they even speak with different languages. It also reminded me of the memory with my Indian friend in high school.

In addition, I was shocked by the video clip showing how Japanese commute in the morning. If I were there, I would certainly not be able to breath. That video was little exaggerated, but I felt enough what they wanted us to see - difference.

It was true that I have recently had a lot of stuffs to do. However, I think this event gave me enough energy that made me laugh and refreshed my mind. I would love to have those kinds of events later on in the writing class.

Prompt #11 Response

What I know:

I searched some important definitions about animal research, starting from what animal testing is and a short history of animal experiment. This will be a part of my introduction.

For the literature review, I looked for the information about two opposite arguments - the opinion of people who agree with the animal research, and the opinion of people who disagree with the animal research. I also found the book, 'Animal as a person', which described the discourse about this issue regarding necessity issue and justification issue. I have recent journals and articles about current issues regarding laboratory animals in medical research. The ethical considerations for laboratory animals are also included in this literature review.

In order to answer my question, 'Are the legal protections for laboratory animals in the US enough? If not, how can we improve?', I have been searching for any information about law that shows the weakness of the system in the US.

What I want to know:

I want to figure out that specifically what parts in the law/protection system in the US are not sufficient and how to improve. In order to do that, I will also need some information about good protection system and organizations/groups in other countries.

Questions I want to ask:

I still think that my topic is not narrowed enough. I will focus on the protection system/law for laboratory animals in US and suggestions to improve the system. How can I specify more?

Prompt #10 Response

I had a really great time at the party on the last Thursday. In my chemistry lecture which was right before my writing class, I really thought that the time went very slow. So as soon as finishing the lecture, I ran to Wilson Commons. I met some new friends, playing game with them, and talking to each other. Sitting down and talking with friends were what I mostly did at the party, but I really enjoyed that time. During that time, I couldn't think of any other stuffs that have been bothering me, like homework, exams, and papers. Maybe because I didn't feel any pressure, I talked pretty much at the party on Thursday. I liked the music as well. I played three games with friends. All of them helped me to have fun with new friends. Pictionary which I haven't done for a while was also interesting, reminding me of old memories.

I believe that the party was valuable. That time was for us to communicate with new people, sharing information with each other, and having fun.

Prompt #8 Response

I really like this prompt because I feel like writing my diary which I have not written for three years. I didn't have any plans for this Meliora weekend, but I had really great time with my friends.

For me, like most of U of R students, this weekend started the last friday afternoon. I and two of my friends went to Korean Restaurant, Sodam, for the first time. We really enjoyed since it tasted like home-food! After came back from the restaurant, the campus was already filled with a lot of people, except the libraries. Thus, we watched one of the most popular movies this year in Korea in the theater in Gleason library.

Unfortunately, I didn't do many things on Saturday. Sometimes I really want to play the piano for a very long time, like this Saturday. I spent almost afternoon, like for 3 to 4 hours, playing the piano in the practice room number 4 of basement of Spurrier Gym.

Lastly, for Sunday.. the day before Monday. I had four homeworks that were due by Monday. I don't have to anything to say about that then.. Since I have a meeting Tuesday about scheduling the courses for next semester, I spent an hour planning what courses to take. It was much difficult than I thought it would be.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this Meliora weekend, thinking that time goes really fast!

Prompt #7 Response

I learned about medical ethics in my BME class last week, and I came up with the idea for my research paper in the writing class - Medical ethic. As a result, I want to write about animal testing for research, which refers to medical research. i.e. the development of drugs and surgical procedures. etc.

When I decided to write about animal testing, I thought it should be banned. However, as I have searched for more information about this topic, I found out that I actually believe that preliminary animal testing is necessary.

I'll focus on few questions;

-Why is preliminary animal testing necessary?

-What are the pros and ons for animal testing?

-Does testing on lab animals hurt?

-If people can't do animal testing, how can people ensure the effect of products before it goes to the market.

For now, I am still confused with my personal opinion, since I believe that emotion or prospective is the major determining factor, like whether a person believes the benefits of animal testing outweigh the problems associated with the practice. In addition, I also think that those ethical aspect actually overshadows both pros and cons of animal testing.....

I guess I'll argue that animal testing is necessary. Do you have any other great questions that I have to focus on?

Prompt #6 Response

I don’t usually use various types of online spaces, such as twitter and blogs, but I do often use Facebook since I consider that it has the largest users in the world and certainly has shared cultures and values that I regard as significant worth in this global society.

Facebook is obviously worldwide. I believe that among numerous shared cultures and values, its characteristic of multiculturalism is what people are attracted to. Using Facebook, people can share any information, ideas, stories and even photos and videos with their friends in anywhere in the world. Following this, people can comment on anything they want to add or like any post they really understand and enjoy conveying their thoughts. For example, in Korea, many entertainment companies that have very popular K-pop singers actually have their own Facebook page to share and update any information about their concerts or the news to the world. Once they post some information in the wall, numerous fans from all around world start to like and comment on the post, sharing their thought and expressing how excited they are. Although fans come from all different kind of countries, cultures, and societies, they are finally connected each other with one united common idea.

I often believe that the world is not divided into several pieces anymore. They have become one unity as they are in online spaces. Facebook triggers this motion by sharing multicultural values to all over the world.

Prompt #4 Response

As online technologies have developed further, I believe that people will be able to do anything with online technologies in near future. The various kinds of online technologies, such as Facebook and Skype, enable people to feel that they are connected each other. Because of this characteristic of the online technologies, people who don’t live with family or have friends in places far from where they live use Facebook or Skype as their cheapest way to contact each other.

Like most teenagers, I also spend quite a long time to do Facebook. I often post funny pictures; of course I tagged them, and write some stories on my wall. Surprisingly, I often see the comments coming up on my stories right after I post. Then, I feel like they are my neighbors who are right next to me, sharing many stories each other.

Besides posting stories, pictures or videos on Facebook, people do also chat on face to face. This is quite similar to the main purpose of Skype – communicate each other in online. This is a real conversation, except that people cannot touch each other. If anyone who has only a laptop with cam, everyone can talk to anyone whom he or she wants to talk to.

Then why do people who live with family and have friends in near places use Facebook? Some people do facebook simply they get bored. They want to listen the other’s story and also tell your story. Other people use facebook to meet new people to socialize. Many people actually add their new friends even if they never meet them before.

In addition to these reasons, most importantly, people use Facebook because people are always curious about the other people. Who is he? What does he do? Where does he live? What does he like to do? All those questions might seem to be weird, like a stalker. However, I believe that having curiosity about the other is one of the human natures.

It is certain that developing online technologies will soon make another renovation. I’m ready to be impressed!

Prompt #3 Response

STRUCTURED PLAN - Q1) Locate a remixed work and make an argument.

Tentative Thesis Statement:

The comic strips ‘Garfield Minus Garfield’ created by removing the main character Garfield from the original Garfield is not in violation of copyright law, since an idea can be copied and borrowed to convey a significant message, provoke a reaction or evoke an emotional response.

Introduction:

As the digital technology and the network have continuously developed, the artists have created more variable remixed works. Following this, we can easily see that the remixed works become much popular than the original works. The comic strips ‘Garfield Minus Garfield’ can be one example. If the artists create their remixed works by basically using the original works, are they in violation of copyright law?

People do not make new works out of nothing. ‘Garfield Minus Garfield’ is a web project created by Dan Walsh, dedicated to removing Garfield from the Garfield comic strips in order to reveal the existential angst of a Garfield’s owner Mr. Jon Arbuckle….

Sources/Arguments:

** Locate some strips of ‘Garfield Minus Garfield’ and a URL of a video.

Strips from: http://art110.wikispaces.com/Sullivan-Rebecca-P3

Video URL: http://www.collegehumor.com/video/5945411/remix-garfield-minus-garfield

1. An article from the New York Times ‘Is the Main Character Missing? Maybe Not.’ (Doty, Cate 2008)

2. An example of ‘Mickey Mouse’ with the argument of O’Connor from the article ‘Devoss & Porter’

3. An example of ‘Girltalk / Mashup’ from the article ‘Maciack’

Conclusion:

In short, I suggest that the remixed work of ‘Garfield Minus Garfield’ is not violating copyright law, because it is important to credit the work of creators in order to motivate creations and to encourage benefits to society….

Prompt#2 Response

I, like most teenage students, am also involved in various online technology practices that are not literally legal. I have downloaded free music, movies, and TV shows very often, and I can’t stop doing that. Those kind of online technology practices are like caffeine in morning coffee. It seduces people. It causes people to realize how conveniently and cheaply obtain various valuable sources through Internet, making the other people who purchase legally stupid. These characteristics of online technology practices have enough power to captivate people. In addition, most people believe that there is almost no way to be caught, since there are so many people doing it same. Furthermore, there is no strict law scaring people from downloading files illegally. However, as I especially grow up, I start to think from artists’ point of view, feeling guilty of getting free files that they tried their best to create. The income from selling their works would be how they earn money, and how they live. The interesting part is that all people surely know the way they getting free files is not right. If all people admit their fault, shouldn’t they be punished?

Besides downloading free files through Internet, I also sometimes remix music. I mostly use an introduction part of songs, without lyrics. I am remixing music mainly because I only play the piano. When I produce music, I also want to put interesting beats of drum and melody of guitar or bass, even though I can’t play those instruments. Since I totally don’t know about those instruments, only thing I can do is copying the other’s work. However, since I only use few seconds of song and the purpose of my work is not making any profits, I don’t feel guilty of doing that.