Week 2 Topic 1: Language and Power in Real Life

In this discussion, you will share one of your experiences with language and power and you will examine the experiences of your classmates.

Initial Post (due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday)

Reflect on your experiences with language and power in a personal or professional setting and write 2-3 paragraphs where you:

(1) describe your experience

(2) tell how the experience impacted your perspective on language and power

(3) demonstrate the grammar and writing skills covered in the course so far

Peer Response (due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday

Respond to at least one of your classmates and comment on her/his experience with language and power. Here are a few things you might consider when writing your response:

• How are your experiences the same or different?
• What do you think is the source of any similarities or differences between your and your classmate’s experiences with language and power?
• What insight have you gained from reading about your classmate’s experience?
• What insight might you offer your classmate regarding her/his experience?

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Week 2 Topic 2: Language in the Workplace

In this discussion, you will share your perspective on language in the workplace and you will examine the perspectives of your classmates. Be sure to review the assigned readings before you begin this discussion. 

Assigned Readings:

McWhorter, J. (2012, August 13). Good applicants with bad grammar. New York Times. 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/good-applicants-with-bad-grammar

Rushkoff, D. (2013, January 30). It’s not just grammar: It’s clear thinking. New York Times.

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/its-not-just-grammar-its-clear-thinking

Haussamen, B. (2012, August 13). What good writing indicates, and doesn’t. New York Times. 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/what-good-writing-indicates-and-doesnt

Truss, L. (2012, August 13).The harm when schools play down grammar. New York Times. 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/the-harm-when-schools-play-down-grammar

Challenger, J. (2012, August 13). Consider the candidate and the position. New York Times. 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/consider-the-candidate-and-the-position

Initial Post (due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday)

Reflect on the assigned readings listed above for this week and the debate around grammar and professionalism. Then, write 2-3 paragraphs where you:

(1) identify the reading selection that most resonated with you and why

(2) outline and justify your perspective on whether grammar should play a role in hiring and other professional decisions

(3) explain how your core values affect your perspective on language and power

(4) demonstrate proper verb tense and subject-verb agreement, along with the other grammar and writing skills covered so far in the course

Peer Response (due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday)

Respond to at least one of your classmates whose perspective is different from your own. Here are a few things you might consider when writing your response:

• How are your perspectives different?
• What do you think is the source of the differences between your and your classmate’s perspectives on grammar and professionalism?
• What insight have you gained from reading about your classmate’s perspective?
• What insight might you offer your classmate regarding her/his perspective?