Response to Anya

Anya raised a really good question in her last post, where she asked about what format to use for the first graded essay. The short answer is that not having used this assignment before, I’m not really sure. Let’s think about it.

I would start with by listing the questions you want answers to about globalization. For each question, I would write a paragraph to explain why you feel the question is important. Then I would add an introduction to the paragraphs saying something like Globalization is a huge topic. Here are the questions I think are most important. Then I would list them.

Does this make sense? You should think of this not so much as a formal essay, but as a tentative summary of your thinking. Remember, you will be able to revise this over the semester.

About Last Class

The purpose of Thursday’s class was to develop a consensus definition of globalization.  After working on that for a while, I began to feel that my presence was an impediment to your getting the job done.  It’s important for the success of this course that you develop a definition that makes sense to you, that you can buy into.  I could have given you my definition but that would have subverted the intent of the session.  So, I decided it would be more productive for me to leave.  After all, this course is ultimately about you and what you make of it, not me.