Journal questions

Unit one: Gender and Work

1. "The Second Shift" p. 505

What is Hochschild's purpose in writing this essay? Is she advocating a system that would remove some of the burden from working mothers or is she advocating a more fundamental change in society and marital relationships? Or is she doing both? Cite the text.

2. "Supersize Me" p. 360

Crister's essay is written in chronological order from the 1970s to the present. What are the advantages of or reasons for this structure? Why didn't he start with the present and then go back through the past?

3. "Behind the Counter" p. 560

           The concept of "throughput" is mentioned in the essay. Is the author critical of the assembly line philosophy? What does he see as the advantages and disadvantages?

4. "Why We Work" p. 495

Compare the first six paragraphs of the essay with the last four paragraphs. What do you notice? How does this structure tie into the author's thesis or purpose?

5. "The M/F Box" pg. 374

In paragraph four, Graff says that the border between male and female is "zealously guarded." What does she mean by that statement" How effectively does she support it?

6. "Men are from Earth, and so are Women" pg. 408

Take one specific misleading idea identified by Barnett and River. On what basis do they challenge that idea? How effective is their response?

7. "The War Against Boys" pg. 400

Paragraph six of this essay presents a long list of areas in which "girls out-shine boys." Do you find this list convincing? What other information could Sommers have provided to support her case?

Unit two: media, technology, and other issues

1. "Connecting Communities: One and Offline" p. 341

How does Wellman refute the idea that the Internet offers "an escape from human interaction" (1)? Do you think his own experiences with the Internet described in paragraphs 3-5, constitutes convincing support for his view that "using the Internet both expands community and changes it in subtle ways" (5)? What other support does he offer?

2. "What Adolescents Miss When We Let Them Grow Up in Cyberspace" pg. 349

Throughout his essay, Staples refers to "a growing body of research" (5) that supports his position.  What research does he cite? Do you find it convincing? Why or why not?

3. "A Loser's Game" pg. 285

Frank believes that blogs are "no substitute for a rounded and comprehensive professional news service" (21), and therefore he does not see them as a threat. Do Frank's arguments in paragraphs 19-23 convince you that blogs pose no threat to traditional news media? Why or why not?

4. "Bad News" pg. 275                          

In paragraph 10, Posner comments, "The public's consumption of news and opinion used to be like sucking on a straw; now it's like being sprayed by a fire hose." What does he mean? What kink of consumption does he think is more valuable? Why?

5. "Dog Lab" pg. 724  

How is the author different for having participated in the lab? What did she learn about medicine and/or about herself? Refer to the text.

6. "Bellying up to Environmentalism" (on website)

7. "Why Intelligent Design Isn't" pg.682

What is Michael Behe's major argument against Darwinism? How does Orr counter this argument? How convincing is he?

8. "Finding Darwin's God" pg. 692

What does Miller mean when he says, " In many respects evolution is the key to understanding our relationship with God" (44)?

9. "Over a Barrel" pg. 582

According to Roberts, we are running out of the inexpensive, easy-to-obtain oil and gas that have powered our industrial growth. What evidence does he present to support his conclusion? Is his evidence convincing?

10. "Energy's Future" pg. 592

Beginning with paragraph 7, Behreandt compares the current energy situation with that of Europe in the late Renaissance. Does this comparison shed light on the current energy situation? Do you find the comparison useful? Why or why not?

11. The End of Oil" p. 602

In paragrph 3, Kunstler refers to the future as the "Long Emergency." What does he mean by this term? How effective is this term in defining the problems we face? Can you think of another term that would be more effective?