Category: Biotechnology - AP English Literature & Composition

(S1C32) BNW + OPF Unit Exam

11/24/2014

Today you will be taking the unit exam for Brave New World and Our Posthuman Future. You are required to bring your BNW data sheet to the exam. You may use your data sheet and on the exam. No books will be allowed.

Update: The A3 exam has been rescheduled for Monday, December 1 (due to the power outage early release).

If you are absent today, you are required to take the make-up exam after school on Wednesday, December 3. You should bring your data sheet with you at that time.

I will be collecting the Brave New World books issued by the school as well as BNW and OPF book donations (for 10 points extra credit each) on Monday when we return from Thanksgiving break.

Required Reading for December 2(B)/3(A)
When we return from break we will begin reading George Orwell's 1984. In order to prepare for that, you are required to read the following introductory information. Please be ready to take a quiz on this material. Practice close reading and annotation in order to prepare:

    DOWNLOAD: An Introduction to Nineteen-Eighty-Four (PDF)

Dystopian Narrative Project
Your short story is due on the day we return from T-giving Break: December 1/2. In case you need a reminder about what this assignment is, please see the assignment sheet below. Print out and turn in at beginning of class.

    DOWNLOAD: Dystopia / Utopia Short Story Assignment

For more information on 1984, please see the 1984 unit page on this website.

1984 Reading schedule
Be aware of the reading schedule so that you can best budget your time:
    December 4 (B) / December 5 (A) -- Volume One
    December 10 (B) / December 11 (A) -- Volume Two
    December 12 (B) / December 17 (A) -- Volume Three

I strongly suggest that you begin reading 1984 over Thanksgiving Break! You may check a book out from me, buy a book from me ($5), get your own book, or download the PDF from the 1984 page.

The Unit Exam will be the semester exam on December 16 (B1) and December 19 (A3)

(S1C26) Biotech Presentations - Day 2

11/6/2014

Today, we will continue with the biotech presentations.

For Mon. (A3)/Tues.(B1)
Read the article below. Because I want you to know this background information really well, I am going to require that you read it closely. Annotate the article. You will have a quiz over this material next class. Note well the study questions at the end of the article.

DOWNLOAD: "The Dystopian Imagination" (Dalrymple) (PDF)

For Wed.(A3)/Thu.(B1)
Read Chapters 1-3 of Brave New World. Be prepared for a quiz AND discussion. You will all be required to come up with two analytical questions for class discussion. They may pertain to anything in Chapters 1-3.

Complete LRJ #1 on Mood-Altering Drugs & Happiness
DOWNLOAD: Brave New World LRJ prompts (DOCX)

(S1C25) Biotech & Literature Presentations

11/4/2014

Today, after we finish the analytical questions discussion from Chapters 5 and 6, we'll begin the group biotech literature presentations. Please note the following:

1. PowerPoint (or other format visual) presentations are due by 7:50 a.m. on the morning of class: Tuesday for A3 and Wednesday for B1. If it is not in by 7:50 a.m. it will be counted late. Obviously, I need only one PowerPoint per group. You must deposit this on the X drive at the following location

    Teacher Folders/Rose/Biotech A3 or B1

2. The written portion of your group project (including the works cited) is to be printed out and handed to me at the time of your presentation. This written report should be approximately 3 double-spaced pages PLUS a page for your "Works Cited." Remember: You must cite your sources -- or you will not pass!

Since we almost certainly will not get through all eight presentations today, we will finish the remaining presentations on Thursday.

Today, in class, you will be taking notes on and evaluating each presentation.

    DOWNLOAD: Presentation notes eWorksheet (DOCX)

This assignment will be drop-boxed by the beginning of next class.

For Mon., Nov. 10/Tues., Nov. 11
Read the article below. You will have a quiz over this material

    DOWNLOAD: "The Dystopian Imagination" (Dalrymple)

For Wed., Nov. 12/Thu. Nov. 13

Read Chapters 1-3 of Brave New World. Be prepared for a quiz AND
discussion. You will all be required to come up with two analytical questions
for class discussion. They may pertain to anything in Chapters 1-3.
Complete LRJ #1 on Mood-Altering Drugs & Happiness
DOWNLOAD: Brave New World LRJ prompts (DOCX)

(S1C24a) Our Posthuman Future -- Chapters 5-6

10/30/2014

Essay: Frankenstein essay revisions are due today. Be sure to follow the directions on the self-evaluation sheet! This essay must be printed out and stapled to your in-class essay -- or it will not be accepted.

In-Class Today
After we finish the discussion questions from our previous class, we will be discussing Chapters 5-6 of OPF on "Genetic Engineering" and "Why We Should Worry." You will have another in-class group assignment. Your group today -- and throughout this unit -- will be your biotech research group.

1. Download this set of discussion questions: Chapters 5-6 (DOC)

2. Again, your group will be responsible for answering the question that corresponds to your group number and defining the one vocabulary term that corresponds to your group number.
You will have approximately 15 minutes to formulate your responses, which you will record on your eWorksheet.

3. In addition, you will also formulate one analytical question raised by the questions you answered or the responses you gave. This should be a question that can potentially generate class discussion.

4. Your group will then present your responses to the class -- for discussion. Your presentation is worth 15 points.

BIOTECH PRESENTATIONS for next class
Biotech projects/presentations are due. Be sure to review all the specifics for presentation requirements, sources, etc.

1. PowerPoint (or other format visual) presentations are due by 7:50 a.m. on the day of class. If it is not in by 7:50 a.m. it will be counted late. Obviously, I need only one PowerPoint per group. You must deposit this on the X drive at the following location

Teacher Folders/Rose/Biotech A3 or B1

2. The written portion of your group project (including the works cited) is to be printed out and handed to me at the time of your presentation. This written report should be approximately 3 double-spaced pages PLUS a page for your "Works Cited." Remember: You must cite your sources -- or you will not pass! The paper and the Works Cited must be in MLA format.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

The next book we'll be reading is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Your first reading assignment for BNW will be for November 11 /12(Chapters 1-3). If you'd like your own book, plan ahead to buy one in time. I have some copies available for $5. See me.

(S1C23) Our Posthuman Future -- Chapters 3-4

10/28/2014

In-Class Today
After we finish the discussions from our previous class, we will be discussing Chapters 3-4 of OPF. You will have an in-class group assignment. Your group today -- and throughout this unit -- will be your biotech research group.

1. Download this set of discussion questions: Chapters 3-4 (DOC)

2. Your group will be responsible for answering the question that corresponds to your group number and defining the one vocabulary term that corresponds to your group number.
You will have approximately 15 minutes to formulate your responses (including an analytical question for discussion), which you will record on your eWorksheet.

3. In addition, you will also formulate one analytical question raised by the questions you answered or the responses you gave. This should be a question that can potentially generate class discussion.

4. Your group will then present your responses to the class -- for discussion. Your presentation is worth 15 points.

For next class -- Thurs (A3)/Fri (B1)
Your final OPF reading assignment is Chapters 5-6 (pages 72-104). Be prepared for a quiz and/or class discussion on this material.

Frankenstein essay revisions are due. Be sure to follow the directions on the self-evaluation sheet! This essay must be printed out and stapled to your in-class essay -- or it will not be accepted.

(S1C22) OPF & A Tale of Two Dystopias

10/23/2014

Not coincidentally, the first chapter of Our Posthuman Future deals with the dystopias of Brave New World and 1984 -- the two novels we'll read as a class this quarter.

In-Class Today
Today we will be discussing Chapters 1-2 of OPF. You will have an in-class group assignment. Your group today -- and throughout this unit -- will be your biotech research group.

1. Download this set of discussion questions: Chapters 1-2 (DOC)

2. Your group will be responsible for answering the two questions that correspond to your group number and defining the one vocabulary term that corresponds to your group number. You will have approximately 15 minutes to formulate your responses, which you will record on your eWorksheet.

3. In addition, you will also formulate one analytical question raised by the questions you answered or the responses you gave. This should be a question that can potentially generate class discussion.

3. Your group will then present your responses to the class -- for discussion. Your presentation is worth 15 points.

For next class -- Tues. (A4), Wed. (A2)
Your second reading assignment is Chapters 3-4. Be prepared for a quiz on this material.

Revised & developed Frankenstein essays
Today, I will be returning your in-class essays with a self-evaluation checklist. Your assignment now is to revise and develop this essay out of class. Use the self-evaluation checklist as a guide. You will be turning in your in-class essay, the self-evaluation, and the revised essay all together on A3:Thursday, October 30/ B1:Friday, October 31. Must be printed out!

(S1C21) Frankenstein unit exam + OPF

10/21/2014

Reminder: Be sure to bring your LRJ with you today. I will be collecting these for grading. You have four LRJ prompts to respond to -- for a total of 100 points.

For next class -- (Thu./Mon.)
Between now and November 5/6, when your biotech group project is due, we will be reading Part I of Our Posthuman Future by Francis Fukuyama. Please see the "Posthuman" web page for full resources. You can download the full text of the book below, if you do not have your own hardcopy of the book. Reminder: You may donate your copy of the book to the school for 10 points extra credit.

    DOWNLOAD FULL BOOK: Our Posthuman Future (PDF)

Your first assignment is to read Chapters 1-2 (pages 4-40). You will have a "quiz" on this reading on Thurs.(A3)/Mon.(B1). The quiz will be in a different style/format than you are used to. In preparation for this unit, please read the following unit objectives:

UNIT OBJECTIVES
The guiding questions for this unit concern views of humanity and personhood. We will be evaluating the fiction we read in terms of 21st century real-world applications. The unit will culminate in a reading of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.

Guiding questions for the unit:
    - What is human dignity? What are human rights? What is personhood?
    - What is human nature? Do we have a right to manipulate human nature?
    - When does one begin to be and cease to be human?
    - When does a person go beyond being human? Or is it even possible?
    - What are the ramifications of today’s biotechnology revolution?
    - What does literature have to say about today’s biotechnology revolution?
    - What can we learn from literature to help us live in the 21st century?

(S1C20) In-class essay & Biotech Project

10/17/2014

Today, after the in-class essay, you will choose/be assigned a biotech issue to research for a presentation that will be due on November 4/5. You should refer the download from the previous blog post for the assignment sheet, which includes all the gory details and expectations for this project. In case you didn't download it last class, here it is again:

    DOWNLOAD: Biotech Research Project Assignment Sheet

You will be given a number. You have five minutes to conduct any trades. The numbers correspond to the following topics:

1. Transhumanism & Posthumanism
2. Designer Babies, Egg Harvesting & “Eggsploitation”
3. Animal-Human Hybrids / Chimeras
4. Human Cloning
5. Genetic Engineering
6. Human Embryo Stem Cell Research & Embryonic Beauty Treatments
7. Selective Reduction Eugenics
8. Neuropharmacology (Psychopharmacology)

Preparing for the Frankenstein unit exam
Next class (Tues-A3/Wed-B1), you will have your unit exam for Frankenstein and all the related topics we've discussed during the unit (not including the biotech material). Download the study guide below to assist you in preparing for this exam.

    DOWNLOAD: Frankenstein unit exam study sheet (PDF)

Please note you will be asked to write a passage analysis of a passage from Frankenstein. In order to prepare to do this, be sure to review the following handout:

     DOWNLOAD: How to Write a Passage Analysis of Prose (PDF)

Frankenstein LRJ's due
I will be collecting your LRJ's at the beginning of next class, before the unit exam. You should have prompts #1-4 complete by that time. You should already have the first three completed. Number 4 "The Criminal Daemon" is due also.

Biotechnology Project Assignments

A3 Class Assignments
1. Transhumanism & Posthumanism: Farrell and Painter
2. Designer Babies, etc: Tull and Bruggemann
3. Animal-Human Hybrids: Scales, Burns, and Nymberg
4. Human Cloning: Fazlani and Buehler
5. Genetic Engineering: Hansen and Andrews
6. Human Embryo Stem Cell Research: Mullinger, Schaffer, and Cordier
7. Selective Reduction Eugenics: Gill and Frohman
8. Neuropharmacology: Gilliland and Burandt

B1 Class Assignments
1. Transhumanism & Posthumanism: Gorczynski and Poch
2. Designer Babies, etc: Buller and McNamara
3. Animal-Human Hybrids: Quehl
4. Human Cloning: Hill and Bayliff
5. Genetic Engineering: Gray and Cusmano
6. Human Embryo Stem Cell Research: Toelke and Stock
7. Selective Reduction Eugenics: Orkwis and Heuker
8. Neuropharmacology: Balogh and Allbright

(S1C18) The Biotechnology Revolution

10/10/2014

As we finish up Frankenstein, we will be getting into the 2nd quarter research project. The subject: the biotechnology revolution and literature.

As a brief introduction to the ideas and issues we'll be covering after we finish reading Frankenstein, today you'll begin on some basic "overview research" on eight contemporary biotechnology issues that relate in some way to both Frankenstein and Brave New World, the next novel we'll be reading as a class. Download and complete the Biotechnology eWorksheet. Drop-box it before the beginning of next class. We'll be talking about the specifics of the research project at that time.

    DOWNLOAD: eWorksheet -- Intro to Biotechnology Issues (DOCX)
    DOWNLOAD: Biotech Research Project Assignment Sheet (DOCX)

One of the best resources you will use for conducting your research will be the book we're reading next. It's the only nonfiction book we'll be reading this year. You can download the eBook below. You should also explaore all the wonderfully helpful resources on the Our Posthuman Future web page on this website.

DOWNLOAD:
Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution (Fukuyama)

For next Tues (A)/Thurs (B)
Finish reading Frankenstein. We will have a quiz over Chapters 19-end.

Looking forward...
Oct. 17/20 -- In-class essay using A.P.-style prompts (grade will be on 2nd quarter)
Oct. 21/22 -- Frankenstein unit exam (grade will be on 1st quarter)
        * LRJ's #1-4 will be collected next Friday for grading

(S1C24b) Preparing for Biotech/Lit. Presentations

10/31/2013

Next Tuesday is the group presentation day for the biotech literature presentations. Please note the following:

1. PowerPoint (or other format visual) presentations are due by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning. If it is not in by 8:00 a.m. it will be counted late. Obviously, I need only one Powerpoint per group. You must deposit this on the X drive at the following location

Teacher Folders/Rose/Biotech A2 or A4

2. The written portion of your group project (including the works cited) is to be printed out and handed to me at the time of your presentation. This written report should be approximately 3 double-spaced pages PLUS a page for your "Works Cited." Remember: You must cite your sources -- or you will not pass!

4. Review all requirements. Remember that you are required to include Fukuyama's Our Posthuman Future as part of your research into your issue. If appropriate, use Wesley Smith's Consumer's Guide to a Brave New World, which I have for you in PDF format. You will find this a helpful and excellent resource!

Frankenstein & Brave New World
Frankenstein books must be returned to me by Tuesday, f you have not already done so. At that time, I will be distributing copies of Brave New World to those of you who do not have your own copy. If you would like to buy a copy, I have a few to sell.