Journal 4: The Prevalence of Sexting

As with all new technologies, people have quickly adapted cell phone cameras to a variety of sexual applications. In this case, "sexting" is the practice of exchanging sexually explicit images of oneself via texts or emails. And if some surveys are to be believed, it is becoming increasingly prevalent in America, especially amongst the young. Law enforcement, educators, and parents are increasingly alarmed by the sexting "epidemic" and the actions of often under-age teens who engage in this practice without fully considering the consequences. Some authorities have even gone so far as to charge some under-age teens with possession of child pornography. Is sexting truly an epidemic? Or is it the 21st century equivalent to explicit love letters? What are the long term ramifications of this practice? For example, are we likely to see future political candidates defending photos they took in their youth? Or could provocative pictures you take now cost you a job in the future? Consider the practice of sexting in America.

Include at least one of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Alarming? One in Four Teens Admit Sexting Nude Photos, Survey Finds" (The Huffington Post)
• "Sexting Lands Teen on Sex Offender List" (CNN.com)
• "Teen Sexting No One's Business?" (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
• "Warning: The Dangers of Sexting" by Jeff A. Katz (The Huffington Post)

Articles are located in the eR.

Due: Wednesday, Mar. 24

Assignment: PowerPoint Presentation

As you know, you will be responsible for a 10-minute gender-related PowerPoint presentation.

Requirements:

• Must be a minimum of 10-minutes in length
  
• Should have no less than 8 slides
  
• Must include a handout outlining your presentation (20 copies)

The best presentations will:

• First contextualize information, then present relevant facts
  
• Avoid a heavy use of animation and effects, choosing instead a simpler visual style (illustrations are highly recommended)
  
• Engage the class through a conversational style, utilizing questions and/or activities
• Utilize multimedia, such as YouTube (encouraged, but not required)

Remember, you are responsible for providing your own laptop.

J.D. Hayworth: Gay Marriage Law Could Produce Man-Horse Nuptials

By Sam Sein, The Huffington Post
3.15.10

Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) primary challenger, former Arizona congressman J.D. Hayworth, warned this past weekend that the same-sex marriage decision handed down by the Massachusetts Supreme Court is so loose in its logic and wording that it could lead to a man marrying his horse.

Appearing on Orlando, Fla. radio station WORL on Sunday, the Arizona conservative had what could be described as a Rick Santorum "man on dog" moment.

"You see, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, when it started this move toward same-sex marriage, actually defined marriage -- now get this -- it defined marriage as simply, 'the establishment of intimacy,'" Hayworth said. "Now how dangerous is that? I mean, I don't mean to be absurd about it, but I guess I can make the point of absurdity with an absurd point -- I guess that would mean if you really had affection for your horse, I guess you could marry your horse. It's just the wrong way to go, and the only way to protect the institution of marriage is with that federal marriage amendment that I support."

The clip, which was forwarded to the Huffington Post by a Republican source, is a deliberate over-interpretation of the Massachusetts law, which in addition to not prompting man-steed nuptials has actually helped chip away at the state's divorce rate.

Indeed, Hayworth, who favors a federal amendment that would limit marriage to one man and one woman, could harm his image with these remarks. Nearly seven years ago, then-senator Rick Santorum (R-Penn.) was asked a rather benign question about homosexuality during an interview with USA Today, and offered a response that has gone down in the annals of political head-turners.

"In every society, the definition of marriage has not ever to my knowledge included homosexuality," Santorum said. "That's not to pick on homosexuality. It's not, you know, man on child, man on dog, or whatever the case may be."

Week 8

A ministering angel shall my sister be.

—William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Week 8

M 3.15
READ: CR—“A Jury of Her Peers” by Susan Glaspell, “The Way Up to Heaven” by Roald Dahl; GL, p. 144-189
IN-CLASS: Writers workshop
DUE: Persuasive essay (Draft 1, Bring three copies)

W 3.17
READ: CR—“This Blessed House” by Jhumpa Lahiri, “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway; GL, p. 190-216
IN-CLASS: Reading discussion; Watch—“The Woman with Two Breasts” from Coupling (2000)

UPCOMING:

Week 9

M 3.22
READ: CR—“What We Talk About When We Talk About Love” by Raymond Carver, “Brokeback Mountain” by Annie Proulx; GL, p. 217-264
IN-CLASS: Preview—Expository Essay
Due: Persuasive essay (Final draft with first draft attached)

W 3.24
READ: GL, p. 265-290
IN-CLASS: Literature Analysis/Short Answer Responses
DUE: Journal 4