How to Use This Blog and Linked Course Blogs

VISIT AND POST TO THIS SITE AS OFTEN AS YOU LIKE

HOW TO CREATE YOUR PERSONAL "INVENTING MODERNITY" BLOG:

(1) Go to www.blogger.com. Log on if you already have a Google Account; if not, create one before going further.

(2) Click on "CREATE YOUR BLOG NOW" and follow the instructions. You can name your blog whatever you like, but it would be nice if you selected something witty that reflected the scope of our study. My title—"The Cut Worm Forgives the Plow"—is taken from William Blake's Proverbs of Hell.

(3) After you've created your blog, click on "customize" and add a link to our class site—www.inventingmodernity.blogspot.com

(4) Email me (kah3@nyu.edu) the URL (web address) of your new blog. I'll link it to The Cut Worm Forgives the Plow

*HOW TO USE YOUR PERSONAL "INVENTING MODERNITY" BLOG

1. How often should you blog? I expect you to post something new to the class blogs at least once a week. You will be receive a grade for your overall work at the end of the semester. It's okay if the size and intensity of your input varies from week to week. Some weeks you may only post a few links to interesting and relevant sites and other weeks you'll post a link to a comment you may have made on another student's blog (or any blog out there in the WWW). From time to time, though, I'll be expecting you to post 2-3 paragraphs of thinking about relevant topics—the readings, class discussions, and other issues to be determined. You'll have access to the blogs of other students so you'll be able to judge whether you're doing enough from. N.B. I reserve the right to announce required postings on particular topics.
2. What should you put on your blog? I expect you to post a mix of things, including but not limited to the following:

• Questions about the assigned readings (before and after we discuss them)

• Critical responses to the readings (before and after discussion)

• Essays, stories, and other types of writing inspired by the readings and themes of our class

• Links to other Web sites and blogs

• Links to the blogs of other students in the class, especially when you've replied to their posts

• Links to anything you've posted on The Cut Worm Forgives the Plow
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• Interesting information (and links to more information) about subjects and names that crop up in our readings and discussion

• Relevant images and videos, links to news feeds, etc.

3. What should you not post on our blogs?

• Don't post material you wouldn't feel comfortable looking at or discussing in a regular Gallatin class.
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• Present your ideas and insights in a manner that will provoke intellectual, academic discussion—convey your thoughts as assertions and ideas so that others may respond argumentatively. In this contexts, it's not very productive (or interesting to others) to say "I hate this book!" or "I feel sad" unless you're willing to give the reasons for your preference or emotional response.