For my classes, this is what I’m looking for in each discussion topic (except where I specify something different):
For each discussion assignment, you should author two types of posts: one “original post” and multiple “response posts.”
The “original post” usually requires a full-length paragraph that answers or addresses the discussion prompt. You will often have to post one of these before you can see your classmates’ posts. You will only need to post one of these per discussion assignment. Usually, around half of the assignment points come from the “original post.”
Once you’ve submitted an “original post,” you should compose several “response posts” over the course of the week. These “response posts” are thoughtful, useful responses to your classmates’ posts. I want to see more than something like, “I agree!” or “Nice post!” You should engage your classmates’ posts.
Usually, it will take about three good “response posts” to maximize your points on any assignment. Some students can get it done in two response posts, while others might need four or five.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions about this!
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTION TO DISCUSS:
1) Which Shakespeare plays or poems have you read before? Tell me about one. Did it make an impression or not? Positive or not?
2) Have you ever seen a Shakespeare play performed in person (I mean a formal production)? Could you follow the action? Was the language as much of an impediment?
3) Have you ever seen a Shakespeare play that’s been turned into a film? Did you like it or not?
4) Right now, Amazon Prime has a new production of Macbeth available for free, starring Michael Fassbender, IIRC. Anybody watched it?
5) How relevant is Shakespeare today? You can talk about his language, his characters, his plots. I ask this not for an “airing of the grievances,” but because he’s so unique as a cultural icon. There’s nothing like him in the Anglo-phone (English speaking) world, so we should at least ask why he’s at the center of our literature and culture.
5) Discuss anything (Shakespeare-related) that may help “psyche” us up for the next couple of weeks.
