Week One: Myth of Individual Opportunity

This week we're reading Alger, Bambara and Dalton.  Keep in mind that they all pertain to the myth of individual opportunity.  These prompts are only suggestions; you can use them or present your own ideas, but remember to reference at least one of the readings in your blog.

• Do you believe that all American's have equal opportunities?
• Is prosperity through integrity and hard work as illustrated in Alger's story still possible in today's society?
• What part of Ragged Dick's opportunity is based on chance, and do you believe the same relationship exists?
• In Bambara's story, Sugar claims that, "Equal chance to pursue happiness means an equal crack at the dough" (270).  And the evident inequality gives Sylvia something to think about.  What do you think about Bambara's portrayal of inequality as a matter of race?  Is she being (un)fair?  How do you view Miss Moore's educational trips with the kids?  Are they making a difference?
• Dalton states that, "Alger's myth is socially destructive" (272).  Do  you agree?  Can you live with the dissonance between myth and reality that he argues is a part of Black consciousness, or do you feel a need to resolve this dissonance? (cf 277)

Myth of the Model Family Week Two

We continue this week with the myth of the model family.  Keep in mind that your blog posts and responses are intended to help you formulate your definition argument.  What do you want to say about the subject?  What is your position?  Questions you might want to consider are:

• What does a model family look like?
• Are there criteria for defining family that CANNOT be compromised?
• What response might you make to Wolfson's claim that all citizens should have the right to marry?
• Does "pursuit of happiness" include the right to marriage?
• While we may more closely identify with Morse's argument, are there aspects of Wolfson's essay that we deem valid?

There are myriad other questions that can be asked, but hopefully this will help you get started.  Remember that you are writing in response to readings so make sure you reference the literature assigned for this week.  Also, stay on topic when responding to your classmates' posts.  We're trying to help one another find good arguments for our papers.  I would like to see all of you write A papers.  Trust me, it would be a win-win situation for all of us!

Myth of the Model Family Week One

So now we start blogging in earnest.  This week we start on the first unit.  In your blog post you want to consider how the essays relate to the myth of the model family.  Questions you might want to consider are:  How do Soto's and Jack's stories compare with how we view the model American family?  How does the media shape our conceptions of what the family should look like?  Does Coontz's statistics influence our perceptions of the 1950s as a glorious decade?  How does the label of "Family Experiment" affect the way we understand family dynamics of the 1950s?

Remember that your blog is a means by which to critically examine texts and dialogue with one another in order to more fully understand other perspectives, thereby giving yourself and your classmates a broader view of the subject at hand.  Posts and responses should be completed before Saturday, Sept 8.  I look forward to seeing what you have to say.