Assignment: Group project 1

This week you'll complete the first of the course's two group assignments, per the syllabus. Here's a written prompt for that assignment ...

With your designated group, ride the bus south for a while, an hour or more. Each member of the group should be taking field notes as you travel, looking out for interesting things/events that could be understood as instances of institutions, interactions, or interpretation — the three I's that Prof. Anderson referred to.

When taking field notes: jot down whatever strikes you as significant. For example, how is that thing/event being communicated (or, conversely, how is it trying to not communicate)? Who is it communicating to (and who is excluded)? What is surprising or counterintuitive about it? These are examples of questions to consider.

Then, as a group, go through all your notes. Pick out a couple of things to talk about and collectively write at least 500 words for each "I." Don't split up the writing; do it together. If you are wondering: Can I write about the same object/event as an example of more than one "I", the answer is yes, of course! That would be so cool and interesting!

That's all. Remember, try to keep the big questions in mind (what is communication, when/where does it happen, and what are its effects?), and
let whatever is most interesting to you lead your writing.

During lecture on Monday, Jan. 25, you will hand in one typed, double-spaced copy of your group essay (with everyone's names on it), and — stapled to it — each person's notes (with names written clearly on each set of notes).