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Friday, July 16, 2010

lesson 8 prompt 2

Well this is pretty lame because I couldnt find many articles on lupus WITH an image that was trying to persuade me of something related to my research paper on lupus. What I did find on the New York Times website by Andrea Peirce, was the article, Uncovering the Mysteries of Immunity and of Lupus. The image in the article shows healthy and antinuclear antibodies associated with the disease lupus. The only thing the image really does is show readers that lupus can be diagnosed by a blood test. There is good information on the disease in this article. It makes the disease seem less intimidating and is informative. If you are seeking information or an informative picture, look here:http://health.nytimes.com/ref/health/healthguide/esn-lupus-ess.html

Lesson 8 responding to Advertising and Violence

The strongest argument in this article is that sex used in advertising is dehumanizing and objectifying especially for women. Companies display advertisements that grabs peoples attention by images that are hurtful to women and violent to women which is a truth we all know about. Violent crimes against women committed by men are prolific in American culture. Take for instance the Calvin Klein ad for a perfume displaying a nude, adolescent girl lying stomach on a sofa, gripping one side. In extremely faint letter in the background you read Obsession for men. It makes one think, is that really the name of the perfume or is a submissive, nude girl looking like she is ready to be dominated or assaulted really the obsession of men? Aadvertising like this makes is seem like pedophilia is mainstream in our country and girls are just objects. Advertising sexually explicit material doesn't cause the crime but it takes it one step in the wrong direction.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

blog for lesson 7

My audience in the lesson 7 essay about Girl Scouting was directed at Troop Leaders. The thesis was that councils across the nation are changing the curriculum to keep up with the times, adding edgy new characters to the Journey book, yet it will not change the focus of Girl Scouting in America. I gave 3 supporting reasons behind why leaders would wan to consider trying out the curriculum and the reason behind the council push. I think that some leaders could be swayed because of the research that I did and that I didn't report on peoples "feelings" and all the "hype" out there.

The first reason assures leaders that the program is the same just more upbeat. The times we live in are different that when leaders were girl scouts they realize this and many girls come to meetings with cell phones and gadgets once not available to kids. There is a new lingo and new problems in the world that we face. It is hard to face the problems of today with girl scouting of yesteryear. The principles are still the same, ceremonies are still the same, some of the workbooks are a little different.

The second reason adding edgy characters to the new books is a fun way to make girl scouting popular again and overcome the fact that girls drop out because they still want to be cool and not embarrassed of scouting. I think that leaders would value this because it is no fun teaching a group of girls new activities when they don't want to be there and are not excited about it. Girl Scouting ultimately needs to be fun.

Third understanding the intention that the new Journey program is only adding to what we have makes sense. It doesn't replace any badge book or handbook. In fact it is a great way to start off the girl scouting year or introduce new girls into the troop even more it is a great way for a new troop leader to get started. It is an overall introduction to girl scouting. Leaders may totally omit it or use it at their own convenience. It is just a tool for leaders. Leaders make or break their meetings by using the tools available, guiding activities that the girls want to do and by having fun.