debate ideas

date entered: 9/21/08

date observed: 9/21/08

context: individual

activity: idebate.org topics

Five topics that interest me for the position paper are:

1. Should physical education in schools be compulsory?

2.  Should publicly supported education programs include the distribution of condoms?

3. What is the right balance between freedom an restrictions upon artistic expression?

4. Should the EU introduce one working language?

5.  Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland currently have a football team each. Should they combine?

free write

Date entered: 9/21/08

Date observed: 9/16/08

Context: Individual

Activity: free write

I watched an interesting documentary that focused on the historic Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland. This film depicted the current failure of the school to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act. Due to the stipulations of the congressional bill, the school has been threatened with closure by the state. Though the school struggles with retention rates and statistically does not meet high school proficiency exam score, the recent administration has made strides in these areas. The introduction of the No Child Left Behind Act threatens the continued existence of the Baltimore landmark and does not account for the  recent improvements the school has undertook. I feel that the No Child Left Behind Act only subjugates the urban poor and further stunts the educational progress of the students.

review of revision

date observed: 9/8/08

date entered:9/8/08

context: group

activity: peer revision

I think that the peer revision really helped me today. Prior to class I struggled coming up with enough to discuss to make the word requirements. In the groups, I was able to see how other people expanded certain areas of their paper and where to condense. I think that having other students read my work, they are able to refine my thesis and ideas better than others because they are more familiar with the assignment. I still have a lot of work to do with my paper, but now I have direction. From peer review, I know that I have to more strongly assert the rhetoric appeals and I need to develop a stronger to give an innovative spin on my Honda Accord advertisement. Also, my partner marked areas of confusion with what I already have written. 

Date entered: 9/7/2008

Date observed: 9/7/2008

Context: Individual

Activity: Thesis work, page 22

1. Daryl Cagle and Michael Ramirez's cartoons shows the flexibility in border patrol policy in the United States. In both there are ways to circumvent vaults or fences for illegal immigrants to enter the U.S. Both also show the incentives to cross into America; Cagle's work shows that while the government tries to keep illegals out, once one has hopped the border, there are the perks of lemonade, education, jobs, and health care. Ramirez's cartoon makes entrance into the U.S. look ironclad, but there is always an entrance for those who are willing to work for cheap. 

2. The cartoons by Daryl Cagle and Michael Ramirez focus on the leniency the government allows for the entrance of illegal immigrants, while it promotes strong anti-alien policies. 

3. The cartoons by Daryl Cagle and Michael Ramirez focus on the mutual benefits of illegal immigrants entering America such as education and cheap labor, respectively, while the government promotes strong anti-alien policies.

4. The cartoons in Figure 1.12 and Figure 1.13 by Daryl Cagle and Michael Ramirez focus on the mutual benefits of illegal immigrants entering America such as education and cheap labor respectively, while the government contradictory promotes strong anti-alien policies. 

photo and bio

date observed: 9/1/2008

date entered: 9/1/2008

context: individual

activity: photo and bio

Caitlin Shevlin is a senior at Clemson University, majoring in history. A native of New Jersey, Caitlin hopes to return north to attend graduate school for education administration. During her time at Clemson, she was a member of the Women’s Rugby Club and helped her team reach the top sixteen in the nation. Beyond athletics, Caitlin loves to play with her dog, bake, and read online celebrity gossip.