English 331

BOOK OF NOTIONS

 

This is an experimental assignment which asks you to keep a steady semester record of ideas, critical assertions, insights, theories, concepts, theses, philosophical "pith sayings," and questions.

This "book" is more like a notebook or an idea journal. It does not need to be perfectly polished and organized—just readable and/or navigable.

This assignment plays on the stereotype of "women's thinking" as nonphilosophical, addled, and inconsequential. I.e., the very old view that women's ideas constitute mere "notions" rather than serious thinking. Our notion journals will also draw on an ancient Eastern tradition of mind-training known as lojong.

You will hand in your book twice for an evaluation and point check.

Your book may be hardcopy or electronic.

 

Audience

Yourself, your instructor, and your classmates.

 

Purpose

To generate serious thinking about course materials, provide ideas for the mandatory critical essay, and act as prompts/content for the final exam.

 

Evaluation Criteria

Evidence of daily thinking, questioning, exploring, pondering (great word—pondering!).

Substantial list of ideas in complete sentences. (These don't have to be ideas that you necessarily BELIEVE or even approve of.)

Some supporting evidence, explanations, elaborations for at least some of those ideas. Elements of journaling are fine.

No obvious statements of fact; the ideas should be thought-provoking and debatable (thesis statements, basically).

Specific references to readings are desirable. Outside sources are a big bonus.

Length: I don’t know.

Manuscript format: I don't know. Just readable, easy to navigate, and aesthetically pleasing. Headers where needed, dates if needed, segment divisions, re-writes for legibility, page numbers, etc. DO INCLUDE A COVER AND/OR TITLE PAGE.

 

Grading

Your book is first given a grade, based on the descriptions below. That letter grade is then fine-tuned with points. Each evaluation check is worth a possible 15 pts.

A = a substantial, engaging, sincere, and intriguing list of ideas. Stands out above the rest. Shows that student has been reflecting seriously on course materials and considering multiple points of view. Shows that student can independently experiment with the notion of "book of notions." Makes specific references to the readings in the form of paraphrase, summary, and/or quotation. One or more outside sources show that student is willing to independently explore and learn. Edited for neatness and readability. Include cover page. Aesthically pleasing overall. Follows all criteria listed above. 14-15 pts.

B = a full, sincere list of ideas. Shows that student has been reflecting on course materials and considering multiple points of view. At least one or two references to the readings in the form of paraphrase, summary, and/or quotation. Edited for neatness and readability. Follows most of the critieria listed above. 12-13 pts.

C = a merely adequate list of ideas. Shows that student has done at least some thinking about course materials and different points of view. Likely no or very few specific references to the readings in the form of paraphrase, summary, and/or quotation. Editing and readability are evident but somewhat weak. Adheres to all of the criteria listed above, but only minimally; or adheres quite well to one or two of those criteria, but seems to ignore some others. 9-11 pts.

D = a barely adequate list of ideas. Shows only a little thinking about course materials, and may not consider multiple points of view. References to readings are few and weak. Editing and readability is weak and troublesome. Avoids an "F" only because one or two criteria are met minimally well. 8-9 pts.

 

 

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