Assignment 1:

Assignment 1 is a Discussion. I posted the discussion question under the “Discussion” icon on WebCT. Students are required to write a response to the question by Thursday, January 29. Failure to respond by January 29 will result in no points for this assignment. Students who respond by this date may receive up to 10 points for their response. Between January 29 and Monday, February 2, students should comment on another student’s original response. Students must make this comment by February 2 to receive the additional points for this assignment—a possible 10 more points. The potential total for both the initial response and the comment is 20 points. After you make your comment on another student’s response, you can make as many counter-responses as you wish. Indeed, you are encouraged to make counter-responses, and they may enhance the discussion. The instructor will look favorably when grading to those students who make several thoughtful responses. However, students can still receive full credit with one thoughtful and well written response and comment (counter response) each.

Summary:

• Initial response: 10 possible points
• Comment on another student’s response (counter response): 10 possible points

Technically, it is important that you respond and comment by hitting the “Reply” button.  Do not hit the “Compose Message” button on the discussion board.  Doing so creates a new discussion thread causing confusion.  Postings placed with the “Compose Message” button are automatically deleted and do not receive credit.

Do not send your week’s discussion posting as an attachment or as an email.  One purpose of the discussion board is to provide everyone in the class a chance to read and, if they would like, reply to your thoughts on the course material.  Postings sent to the discussion board as attachments or to the professor’s WebCT or regular email are not eligible for any points.

To do well on these discussions, it is necessary that you read the corresponding material from the textbook and online unit before making your posting.  It is expected that your informed participation will be based upon thoughtful comprehension, analysis, and synthesis of ideas from the course material.  In other words, you need to constructively respond to the online questions using content and perspective developed from the course text and online units.

Back up your postings with substance from the course material, such as examples, concepts, themes, and facts, rather than with personal opinions and values.  Avoid campaigning, grandstanding, sermonizing, or engaging in ideological or partisan rhetoric.

DISCUSSION QUESTION (Assignment 1): Answer the following question: Based on the reading of speech by Satanta (found on the website), was Satanta an outlaw or hero? Defend your position by analyzing the material found in your textbook and in Satanta’s speech. Then, please comment on a fellow student’s answer. This could involve pointing out areas of agreement and disagreement, or it could simply entail analyzing the other student’s answer and throwing more light on the issue.