Discussion Question 5
Directions:
Choose ONLY ONE of the following questions and answer it as thoughtfully as possible, after reading the lectures. Then post your answer to the English 103 Message Board by the deadline. Your answer is due no later than Thursday, Mar. 23.
Your responses to other students' answers are due by midnight on Sunday, Mar. 26. In order to get the full 20 points, you MUST respond thoughtfully to at least 3 other people's postings.
We will be using the Canvas Discussion Board for this class. Click on the link below to get to the LACCD portal, sign in, and then click on the link for Canvas in the right column. This will take you to the Canvas dashboard. From there, click on the square with the name of our class. Once you've entered the class, you will find the "Discussions" link on the left side of the screen:
Remember: This discussion question is worth a possible 20 points. Late answers will receive 0 points. Points will be assigned according to the thoughtfulness of your answers, not by whether they are "right" or not, since sometimes there is no "right" answer. Just be sure your ideas are supported by the material in the readings.
1. Choose ONE specific conspiracy theory from the past 50 years. Give two pieces of evidence that support it.
- Follow this format: "(Name of a Specific Person) and (Name of a Specific Person) conspired to (Do Some Specific Thing) in order to (Accomplish Some Purpose)."
- Here's an example: "In 1947 an alien spacecraft crash-landed near Roswell, New Mexico; General Roger Ramey and President Harry Truman covered this up because they feared a public panic should the information become known." Note that I used actual names, not "the FBI" or "the government." "The government" is not the name of a person. Another note: sorry, but you can't use Roswell--it happened more than 50 years ago.
- Here are some popular conspiracy theories. You're not required to use these, but it might give you a place to start.
- Tupac is not really dead.
- Princess Diana was murdered.
- Flight 800 was brought down by terrorists, not by electrical malfunction.
- 9/11 wasn't a terrorist attack.
- The moon landing was faked.
- Consult at least one source other than the assigned reading to get this information.
- Give a Work(s) Cited entry for that source(s), in correct MLA format. (This part is important--you will lose points if the format is incorrect. Ask if you need help.)
2. Give two interpretations of a single, specific historical event. Explain the differences between the two versions.
- Here is a link to an example of how two events can be seen from different perspectives: Modern Historians Confront the American Revolution. You are NOT required to use the American Revolution as your historical event; this is just an example to show you how different interpretations can be.
- Consult at least one source other than the assigned reading to get this information.
- Give a Work(s) Cited entry for that source(s), in correct MLA format. (This part is important--you will lose points if the format is incorrect. Ask if you need help.)
3. Give two theories of the function of dreams.
- In the first paragraph, state and explain one theory.
- In the second paragraph, state and explain another theory.
- If you wish to include a third paragraph, you may, explaining whether you think these theories are valid, and why. This is not required.
- Consult at least one source other than the assigned reading to get this information.
- Give a Work(s) Cited entry for that source(s), in correct MLA format. (This part is important--you will lose points if the format is incorrect. Ask if you need help.)
When you respond to other people's answers, be sure to post a response of substance, which adds new details or ideas to what they've said, or asks questions for clarification. Don't just say "I agree with your theory" or some variation on that. Really give some thought to what the other student has said and see what you can contribute.