Journal Blog #4: What is your area of interest?

For this final essay, you need to start narrowing your topic. Our theme for the term is Art. It is very possible that you're not interested in Art, and that's ok. However, can you make some kind of link from our theme of Art to an area that is interesting to you.

In this term, we have read a variety of texts about different aspects related to Art, some of which have to do with the Law, with Technology, and with Business. There are many ways to think about Art, and I think we can develop a topic together from your area of interest. Think about your major and think about how you can relate your field of interest to our theme in order to get to a fully narrowed topic.

Share your ideas here, and I will work to help you figure out your topic.

Make sure to include your Section # and ID # in your post.

Blog #3: What is your favourite type of art?

For me, I appreciate all art, but I guess music is what moves me the most. I enjoy visiting a gallery now and again, but after a while one painting or one sculpture just starts to look like the next and the next...  I love literature as well, but I'm not always in the mood for it. Film is fantastic, but there's too much of it. However, if you ever ask me to go out to a pub, theatre, or arena to see a good musician, hear a great drum solo, or watch a professional pick a guitar, I'll never refuse. Watching and listening to good musicians always brings pleasure to me, and it moves me to do other artistic things.

What about you? Please include your Section # and ID in your posting.  Aj. M

Journal Blog 2: Copying a crime?

Here at MUIC and most universities are really tough on plagiarism. And they should be. Not only because copying someone's words and using them as if they are your own is dishonest, but also because people should be challenged and encouraged to produce their own ideas and contributions to the world.

But sometimes there is a grey area as Gladwell describes. The story you might overhear from a friend. The tune a guitar player strummed on the street. The poem on a napkin you found at a table...  are those ideas us for grabs? If you write about a piece of gossip you heard: is it an idea? Or is it "intellectual property?"

The journal blog topic for this week: Is it a crime to use, reproduce, mix, and mash art as your own?

Include your Student ID and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #1: Art

The theme for this term's edition of ERS is Art. One can be artistic, but then if not, one can also be artful. One does not need to know much about art to appreciate it or be moved by it.

We often think about Art as a painting on a wall of landscapes and ponds and people, or we may think about great sculptures of ancient Greece or Italy. But in fact, Art is all around us, whether it is a cleverly designed billboard at the BTS, a thought provoking poem on the wall of a bathroom stall, or an App on your iPhone about almost nothing at all.

For this first Journal Blog, I want you describe what comes to your mind when you consider the word, Art. Do you think about those classical pieces of art or does it mean something else. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Please include your ID# and Section # in your comment post. (Names are not necessary.)  Aj. M

Blog Journal #4: What happens next?

We have finished the Introductions for our final essays. That is the first step. The Introductions should contain a clear Thesis Statement. It is that one sentence that tells the reader what the essay is about...

So, what happens next?

In this journal, describe some of the supporting paragraph ideas that will follow your Introduction. Make sure that your ideas do not change or forget the point stated in your Thesis Statement. In this journal, you do not need to explain a lot of details, but what are the supporting ideas for your essay.

Remember to include your ID# and Section # in your post. Aj. M

Journal Blog #3: What is your life span?

I sometimes wonder about this as I'm now older than before. I drink a lot of coffee, so my heart is under a lot of pressure these days. But I eat well and exercise a lot, and have a relatively unstressful life, other than Bangkok traffic and my crazy dog.

I also think technology is changing a lot, and I wonder if the future will be like the Matrix and a computer chip will be implanted in my spine, so my body just keeps working forever. We read that healthy eating, relaxing culture, and good genes help us to live longer, but maybe in the end, technology will save us (or destroy us?). I'd like to hear from you.

Make sure to post your ID and Section # with your post. Aj. M

Journal #2

After looking at the reading for this week, Changing ethics in medical practice: a Thai perspective, please comment on what you understand to be the overall meaning of it. What is the changing ethics that the title refers to?

I'm also interested to know if the Thai perspective described in this short essay reflects what you think. If you are non-Thai, you may also describe your own perspective on this issue in your experience as it relates to this text.

I'm looking forward to your comments. Aj. M

Welcome to ERS - Trimester 3

In this edition of ERS, the theme is Health & Nutrition. We will explore different ideas related to health, lifestyle, diet, and so on. It is my hope that throughout the term, you will each find an aspect of this theme that motivates you and that you can write about.

For this journal blog, we will continue our class discussions online, where you can respond to readings and make your own contributions. If you're shy to speak in class, I hope you won't be shy here.

As a first entry, which we'll call Journal Blog #1, please write and say what subject or area do you consider yourself a kind of expert or very knowledgeable. For me (for example), I think I know a lot about fitness and training, as I  have been a competitive athlete for a long time. This is an area that I know a lot about and have coached other people about in the past, particularly in swimming. Please share what it is you know as an introduction to who you are.

Welcome to you all. Good luck in the term. Aj. M

Possible In-Class Essay Topics

You will receive one of the following topics to write about:

The negative effects of Facebook.

How is social networking affecting our lives and relationships?

Ways to inspire unity in Thai people.

In response to political conflict in Thailand.

Peoples’ obsessions with Innovations.

Need to go back to basics, traditions, and culture.

Sources of inspiration.

Where do different kinds of inspiration come from?

You will need to write 500-700 words. Please be prepared to write about any of these topics. See you then!!  Aj. M

JOURNAL #3: Background and Context

For this journal entry, explain the background of your topic. Explain what the topic is about, and moreover, describe some of the context, such as who, when, and where this topic is about. For example, we talked in class about Michael Jordan't innovative slam dunk style, that had never been seen before at the time.

Since MJ, all of the great dunkers copy his style: Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and everyone else (BACKGROUND). When Michael Jordan took off towards the rim, he appeared to float, hang, turn, glide, and soar through the air and over opposing players to finally slam the ball home. This unique and innovative style inspired all dunkers and want-to-be dunkers (like me) to try his moves (CONTEXT).

I want to know some of the background and context of your planned topics. Don't forget to include your Section and ID on your post.  Aj. M