Instead
of text only journals that are read only by the professor,
our journals will be posted online. The online format
allows journals that include links, graphics, and other
content suitable for the web. All students are expected
to review the journals of their classmates.
Students
should plan to complete a "blog" at the end
of each module (5 total). At the end of the course, completed
journals should document your thoughts about "Law
and Social Control." The best journals demonstrate
an evolution of thought as we move through readings and
other course experiences. Journals should refer to readings
(in text and elsewhere), internet content, events in
the news, and other relevant issues.
Blogs
are expected to follow a specific format. The
total amount of writing should be 4 to 6 pages for each
blog. After you complete the assigned readings, sit back
and think about what it all meant. Remember to consider
ideas raised in class discussion and the web sites included
in each module. Once you have an idea of what you want
to say, start typing your entry, much of it off the top
of your head. Whatever comes to mind. It is probably
best to do this in Word or another word processor and
cut-and-paste into your blog. While I expect a certain
amount of organization, the journals are not expected
to be "term paper quality."
Module
related blogs should contain three separate parts:
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First,
provide specific comments on readings. Label this
section "Reading Content." Provide enough
information to demonstrate that you did the required
readings, but you should not write more than 2 pages
for this section. |
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The
second section should discuss relevant web content.
You will be expected to visit a variety of internet
sites. These sites may be contained within the module
outline or you can locate them through various web
search techniques. This section should be between
1 and 2 pages. This is the "Internet Content" section. |
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The
third section should include a 1 to 2 page summary
in which you integrate the readings, class discussion,
web sites, current events, other classes, and any
other experiences. This should be labeled the "So
What?" section. |
My
grading criteria is fairly simple. While reading the
module related blogs I ask three questions:
1.
Did you do the reading?
2.
Did you think about the issues raised in the reading
and internet content?
3.
Did you integrate various issues. In other words, are
you applying the concepts to a range of contexts?
Although
you have several options, you may be using an advertiser
supported service for these journals. These free services
provide the features we need for the class, although
we have to put up with advertisements. We are using something
called "web logs" or "blogs" for
our journals. Click the "Journals" link
above for instructions. The "Journals" page
will eventually include links to the online journal of
each student in the class.
Links
to student accounts:
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