Round two discussions for the remainder of Frankenstein will be up by late Monday, July 6. (You should have finished the book in anticipation of this!)

This round of discussions will include one or two additional critical pieces to read before you respond. I will attach those files to the board and you will be able to download them. The critical pieces will be challenging, so I will help you through them if you need the assistance–I’ll open a thread just for questions.

Please begin Left Hand of Darkness. The first round of LHOD discussions will begin July 17. You should read at least through chapter 10 to be ready for these discussions. Our second round will be at the beginning of August (I’ll post the exact date later), and will lead into a classroom assignment when we get back.

A couple of words about Left Hand of Darkness. The book can be challenging at first for a couple of reasons:

• It’s science fiction, so the author has made up a lot of strange names and words that you’ll have to learn. So pay attention.
• It does not have a fixed narrator. That is, different characters will narrate the story from their perspectives. Switching from one narrator to another happens at the beginning of some of the chapters, so again, pay attention.

See you on Monday, July 6!

There are now three discussion questions posted on the forum. Here is the direct link: http://apforums.rvhspress.com/viewforum.php?f=9&start=0

While it is not important that you log in and respond today, it is important that you do within the next few days. Once you join a discussion, please stay with it and have a conversation with your peers.

Here are your guidelines:

1. Think about the question before answering. You do not have to respond right away today.

2. Use specific details from the text. Cite text directly if you need to.

3. Don’t “run and gun”–don’t answer in a really long post and leave. This is a discussion. Discuss.

4. Actively respond to what other posters are saying. Look at what other students have to say and decide if you agree or disagree. If you disagree, be polite, but give firm and substantial reasons. No ad hominem attacks!

5. You may continue responding as long as the discussions are open (which will be at least until the next round).

I have only had the discussions up a few hours now, and already there are several posts! Excellent! I can’t wait to read through them tomorrow, and maybe contribute a little bit of my own.

Hope this post clears up any questions some of you have had about discussions. If it doesn’t, just ask me again, and I’ll try to do my best to answer.

Rule #1: ALWAYS check back here to see if the time frames have changed. This is your portal for all of the summer work. We will adjust as we go.

This is a long post. Read it carefully.

General Reading & Discussion Plan

I’m thinking we’ll spend June, and perhaps the first week of July reading, discussing, and wrapping up Shelley’s Frankenstein. We’ll have two “rounds” of discussions during this time. One mid-book, one after you’ve finished. Your assignment will be to join the discussions and contribute intelligent and detailed commentary.

We’ll spend July and the first week of August reading and discussing LeGuinn’s Left Hand of Darkness. Discussions will go the same way with two rounds. Reflections on the summer work will be due the first day of class. More details on that as we go.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT–PART A & B

PART A: The summer books are exciting. Frankenstein is a frame narrative–a story within a story that is sometimes a hallmark of realism, but in this case, the book is an earlier work of Gothic Romance. It is a criticism of the enlightenment thought which believed that “progress through science” was inevitable and good. Shelley’s work suggests that certain advancements in science do not always cause human morality to progress. As you read, you should be looking for ideas related to this, including references to Greek mythology, Christianity, and a general distrust of science and progress. Try to find symbolism in the names of characters, and pay close attention to Victor’s story as he begins to narrate it. You had to know that this novel is more than just a monster story. Look for inconsistencies in Shelley’s philosophy too, if you can find them. That will be one of the discussion topics for sure.

Your assignment is to read chapters one through 17, and then check in for some discussion June 19. I’ll have the first round of discussion topics posted by that date.

PART B: Go to the AP Summer Discussion boards at http://apforums.rvhspress.com and register a new account there. You will need a valid email account to do this. The register button should be at the far left under the board title.

Once you register for an account, activate it through your e-mail, and then add a post to the forum entitled “AP Lit & Comp-Introductions.” This forum will only be visible once you’re logged in. I want to keep the intro forums semi-private because some personal info may be revealed. You are required to make a post introducing yourself (you don’t have to use your real name–use a part of it–or even better, a nickname) so that I know you have successfully begun to use the board. I will then send you a PM (private message) for your real name for my records.

If you have questions about the book as we read it, I’ve created a discussion forum for that under “AP Lit & Comp Discussions.” Just hit “reply” and ask your questions! Here is the actual link: http://apforums.rvhspress.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8.

You will use the same login credentials when you join the discussions on Friday, June 19. Remember, passwords are case-sensitive. If you have any questions regarding this process, e-mail me at jrockwell@valverde.edu or ocaptain@rvhspress.com.

That’s all for now. Good luck with the boards, and have a blast reading this summer!