Directions for Creating a Blog

Fellow Flaneurs,

Because our section will only meet a few times over the course of the quarter we will be carrying on a discussion through the medium of the blog. Each student is required to create and maintain a blog for the duration of the course. There will be weekly assignments announced on this blog (and possibly by e-mail). These assignments are required and will be a major factor in your Attendance/Section grade (30% of final grade according to the syllabus!).

That being said, this should be a pretty fun way to work through/with the materials for this course. This medium will let us do what we would normally be doing for a discussion section, writing weekly response papers, but with the addition of other stuff like links to articles, videos, songs, etc. Also, you can get as creative as you want with these things. If you're not the creative type or the tech-savvy type, don't worry. The minimum requirement is that you complete the assignments on time. Embellishments are up to you -- just make sure that the blog is functioning (i.e. the links are working and the page is readable) and that it looks like at least a little bit of effort went into it.

And, hey, when this is done, consider yourself to be published.

In general, the weekly assignments will consist of two parts. First part: pick one of the readings from the current week and write a short response to it (short means it should be about 1 page double-spaced). Second part: look at and read as many of the other student blogs as you can and write a response to one of them (you can respond to more than one if you want). Of course, these responses should be mindful and constructive. At times, the weekly assignments may vary. Make sure you check this blog and your e-mail regularly.


Directions for creating your own blog:

Some of you may know how to do this already. If you do, go off and create a blog however you like. Just make sure you e-mail the URL to me so that I can post a link to it on our common blog (http://sanflaneurs.blogspot.com).

If you are like me and don't intuitively know how to do this stuff, follow these directions:

1. Go to http://www.blogger.com

2. There will be an option to start your own blog.

3. Click this option and follow directions. You will have to enter the usual info and create a password. Then you will have to pick a name and an address for your page. The address will be http://_____.blogspot.com

4. Do whatever else the Machines of Loving Grace (Brautigan reference we'll get to at about week 3) tell you to do and you should be set.

5. If you are not set and/or think my directions suck, let me know and we'll figure it out.

6. Once everything is copacetic, e-mail me a link to your blog mailto:jonathanlit101@gmail.com

And, as always, e-mail me with any other questions, concerns, complaints (or compliments) you might have.