How (Not) To Argue on the Internet: Sample Online Assignments

“If you have to insist 

that you've won an internet argument, 

you've probably lost badly."

Danth's Law

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Twitter Assignment

This week we finish our section in Intersex and Science, reading selections from Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite. As discussed in class, the book uses a lot of imaginative imagery and metaphors. This visual style of writing has its benefits and difficulties, but is especially well suited to reading in a digital world. Twitter likewise depends on images, gifs, and other visuals.

For your weekly post, you will be posting a string of 5-7 tweets based on the information and ideas of one of the chapters. Each tweet should include an appropriate image. DO NOT simply copy and paste whole paragraphs. Rather, your posts should follow an arc:
introducing the idea in your own words (with image),
offering quotes (with image and citation),
close-read the quotation to unpack the many hidden or metaphoric meanings (with image)
sharing personal reactions (with image),
concluding by talking about the social implications (with image).

Throughout each tweet, use the hash-tags:

#USSO291T
#Science
#Intersex

Additionally, you must respond to at least one other student's tweet.

Finally, copy and paste your tweets into Canvas as a response. The reason for this is to make sure we have a back-up record of your post just in case a Tweet gets lost or problems arise. No need to include images.

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Podcast Assignment

This Wednesday's class will be another online class! Combining the Canvas post (2 points) and the participation for the day (1 point), you will all be creating a "script" for an imaginary podcast episode on misconceptions and problems in how people connect transgender and mental illness, responding to the book Last Time I Wore a Dress --- you only need to have read the prologue and first few chapters in the first PDF but may read the other PDF if you are interested.

The discussion thread will be "the Beyond Male and Female podcast." Each of you will be guest speakers on this discussion thread, although the first person(s) who posts should take on the persona of host/s and give a cute/funny introductory sentence or two. Everyone else should introduce themselves when you add your entry (e.g. "Hey, this is Susan here. I had a though about that..." Every entry should be written as though it was being spoken into a mic.

You are required to post two (2) entries.
One short (one paragraph) entry in that cites Scholinski's book, The Last Time I Wore a Dress.
One regular (two paragraph) entry that adds new information to the conversation which cites outside research from Case Western Reserve University's online library database.

Try to write your responses in ways that responds to the last person(s) as though you are all being broadcast together in one big conversation. Consider using the "yes, however," or "yes, and furthermore..." tactic of responding to another person but also offering your own thoughts.

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Tumblr Assignment

This week, we discussed Leelah Alcorns life and death as recorded on her Tumblr, Transgender Queen of Hell. In class on Wednesday, we selected images from her blog and close-read them as representative of her mentality, social and digital contexts, as well as what kept her going and what ultimately failed her.

For this week's post, you will select two of the images from the PDF that were not discussed in class to produce paragraph length close-readings. Screen shots will be useful to help readers see the image you are describing and interpreting.

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Youtube Assignment

This week we read and discussed Animorphs #3, reading Tobias the Hawk as metaphorical representative of transgender youth. For Post 7, you will not be posting to Youtube but should write your post as though you are a Youtuber/Vlogger doing a Review of Animorphs #3. Open with a fun title for your channel/video and write in the voice of someone speaking to a camera. Your review should focus on how Animorphs #3 could be used to discuss transgender issues with young people. Focus on one particular element: dysphoria, depression, isolation, being an ally, activism to save other marginalized people, privileges in relation to gender presentation or transition, drag, etc.

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#Hashtag Assignment

Over the seminar, we have explored different elements of online life via themes, projects, and methods. In particular, we have learned the value of being pithy in social media, such as through the invention and use of hashtags.

As this is the final Canvas post, to bring the seminar to a close you will write three hashtags of your own (with explanations) based on specific days' discussion over the semester. These hashtags will be due on Monday and discussed as part of our final reflection.

I look forward to reading and discussing your hashtags in class on Monday!

Best wishes,

Dr. B

The format of your three hashtags may be a bit longer than usual hashtags (try to avoid just single words) although they are likely to be just a single sentence.

Hashtags 1-3:

"Write your #Hashtag in bold as a sentence that summarizes some lesson, motto, or rule." #LikeThis

Explanation 1-3:

Under the #hashtag, write in italics a description of what specific day of the seminar this precept reflects or derives from in some way. Name the assigned reading for the day, even if it is incidental to the overall lesson. Mention how this lesson stuck out to you personally as one of your top 3 take-away concepts. If your hashtag is more general, one that covers a whole section or a specific assignment, locate a day that represents this lesson for you. Try to give a medium sized paragraph of at least 5 sentences.

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Click Here for More about Trans Pedagogy

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The Council on Queer Christianity: LGBTQI Marriage and the Bible

"Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God."

Ruth 1:16

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The Bishops of the Queer Christian Church are writing brand new policies regarding the issues of marriage. To debate the issue, they have called you as experts to hold the First Council on Queer Christianity Because this is the 21st century, the council will be held online (not in the physical classroom), where participants will interrogate texts, respond to questions, debate proposals, and deliver decisions back to the Bishops. Beyond offering decisions for Queer Christian Church, the experts in the Cleveland Council will be demonstrating their acumen in close reading texts, considering contexts, dialectically arguing with one another, and collaboratively coming to a decision.

The First Council on Queer Christianity will begin at class-time (3:20 PM) on Monday, at which time the opening remarks will be made by each and all of the representative experts. Each post should be around four paragraphs with a paragraph devoted to a one particular line from each of the three required texts: Colossians 3, Ephesians 5, and Galatians 3. Posts must be made to Canvas by the START of class-time (3:20 PM). Next, the Council will enter the debating portion of the Council. Each of you have 24 hours (until 3:20 PM on TUESDAY) to submit AT LEAST two responses to two different experts’ opening remarks. Remember to try the “yes, and…” or “yes, however…” structure of arguing. Remember that dialectic argumentation is all about meeting THESIS with ANTITHESIS in order to arrive at an improved SYNTHESIS. Consider many sides.

Finally, in class-time (48 hours after the start of council) we will reconvene in the seminar room to bring the debate to give closing remarks and make recommendations.

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Questions to the Council

Required Readings:

Colossians 3, Ephesians 5, and Galatians 3.
Reference each at least once but focus on particular lines.

Questions:

WHO (with what qualities) should be married?

• Consider the qualities of gender in the potential partners
• Consider the qualities of sexuality in the potential partners
• Consider the ethical or spiritual qualities of the potential partners

WHAT roles (if any) should exist in marriage?

• Consider challenges posed by Feminism
• Consider challenges posed by Gay, Lesbian, Bi/Pan/Asexual partnerships
• Consider challenges potentially posed by Trans, Intersex, Non-Binary people

WHY should (or shouldn’t) marriage exist?

• Consider the role of property, law, social divides, and/or familial authority
• Consider the role of love, sexuality, and childbearing
• Consider the potential “spiritual” (broadly defined) purposes or dangers

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Additional Pedagogical Resources

Additional Queer and Transgender Studies

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The Praxis of Silence: Teresa de Cartagena and Grove of the Infirm

"Who could hear with the ears of his soul such healthy advice if his physical ears were filled with the noise of human voices?"

Teresa de Cartagena

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Deafness is traditionally defined as a disability but medieval and modern deaf writers have long made the case for the concept of “deaf-gain.” As part of our embodiment narrative exercises, we have been pushing beyond the intellectual assent to disability theory and into the praxis of enacting life and ideas together. Towards that end, each of you will practice the habit of Teresa de Cartagena by engaging silence physically, intellectually, and socially.

By intentionally experiencing silence in a loud, busy, stimulating modern world, you will engage to the writing of Teresa de Cartagena in a way that makes the theory into an embodied lesson and consider the challenges as well as the benefits of silence.

The Praxis of Silence will begin at the usual class-time (5:30 PM) on Monday. After this time, you have 24 hours to find an 1 hour 15 min of silence. The first critically important and integral task is to find somewhere as perfectly silent as possible to sit or stand for an hour and fifteen minutes. This may be a museum, a library, a park (be safe), or even your own empty room. Please do not use music or other audio to cover over the ambient noise. Note: what you will experience is NOT the same as what deaf people necessarily experience. Rather, you will be learning in your own way and with your own embodiment what it means to live in and with silence.

While you sit in silence, you are to limit your activities and distractions. You may walk around, think, and do some light reading from the book of Teresa de Cartagena OR from read the lyrics to some form of music (e.g. as Teresa does the Psalms). However, reading should only consist of less than half (30 min max.).

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Questions

Before 24 hours is up, you must write a four paragraph post that uses two quotes from Teresa de Cartagena’ in order to help you narrative your embodied experience of silence. How does the theory inform your praxis? How did the physical experience inform your theory? Consider attached questions.

How did the experience of silence affect your body and mind?

• Consider whether or not you moved, fidgeted, sat motionless, etc.
• Consider what emotions and sensations came and went
• Consider how your mind and thoughts changed over the hour.

How did the experience of silence make passages of the Grove of Infirm clearer?

• Consider how certain sentences are different to read than to experience
• Consider how words often are short-hand for complex physical events
• Consider how reading changes in quiet versus among noise

How did reading the Grove of the Infirm affect how you experienced silence?

• Consider what things you focused on because of the book
• Consider how you felt about the experience because of the book
• Consider how the book made the experience an intellectual one

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Additional Pedagogical Resources

Additional Disability Studies

Additional Medieval History

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Take Me as I Am: Wedding Program of the Reverend and Doctor

"Take, O, take me as I am,
summon out what I shall be,
set your seal upon my heart,
and live in me"

John L. Bell

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Welcome to the Wedding of 

The Reverend Rachel Johannan Bahr, M. Div. 

& 

Doctor Gabrielle Mary-Willow Bychowski, Ph. D. 

At First Congregational Church, Southington 

18 February 2018

Rachel’s ring is inspired by the Gold Tree of Valinor, Laurelin. The band is rose gold with a circular sun-disk surrounding a central diamond.

Gabby’s ring is inspired by the Silver Tree of Valinor, Telperion. The band is white gold in the “willow style.” The gemstone is moissanite, chosen because she loves things that come to be via laboratory assistance, loves the stars (moissanite is not natural on Earth except from meteorites), and while diamonds shed a white light, moissanite creates rainbows.

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The Wedding Party

Team Gabby
Colors: Black and Silver

Maid of Honor

Dr. Erin Sheley 

Erin lives in Alberta. She works as an Assistant Professor, at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. She attended George Washington University with Gabby during her Ph.D. She is the Ron Swanson to Gabby’s Leslie Knope.

Bridesmaids

Emily Hofstaedter 

Emily lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She works as an actor and theater professional. She attended The George Washington University with Gabby during her M.A. She shares Gabby’s love of medieval history and Catholicism, as well as medieval reenactment. 

Megan Bowman 

Megan lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband, Matt, and cat, Kitty Rose. She works as an intellectual property attorney. She attended DePaul University with Gabby during her B.A. She knows elvish and helped order the Tolkien inspired sections of the service.

Maria Carson

Maria lives half-time in Syracuse, New York and half in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband, Dan. She is a Dissertation Fellow at the Humanities Center at Syracuse University in Religious Studies. She attended DePaul University with Gabby during her BA, as well as Glenbard West High School and Hadley Jr. High with her. She once toured Japan with Gabby as part of an orchestra.

Laura Bychowski

Laura lives in Chicago, Illinois with her partner, Alex. She works as a film editor. She attended DePaul University after Gabby but walked the halls with her in Glenbard West High School, Hadley Jr. High School and Churchill Elementary School. She is her beloved sister. Among her first words to Rachel were: “don’t you dare hurt her.”

Team Rachel

Colors: Burgundy and Rose Gold

Maid of Honor

Beth Kelly

Beth and Rachel have known each other since 2004 when they were both entering Chicago Theological Seminary, and found each other relying on one another for fun and tears and beers. Beth saw Rachel’s queer before she would acknowledge her truth. She was there for the birth and early years of Clementine and Elanora.

Bridesmaids

Megan McCue

Megan's friendship in Maine was one of the brightest spots from Rachel’s ministry in York. They thoroughly enjoy bro-ing out and laughing on the silliest things. Megan also gets the credit for helping Rachel to propose to Gabby.

Rev. Heidi C. Heath

Heidi and Rachel became friends when Rachel moved to New England in 2013 and she started reaching out to folks. Rachel can’t forget Heidi’s unending encouragement, and her house calls, hugs, organic vegan food, and learning about so many things from their past in common!

Miranda Moeller

Miranda and Rachel became friends last year when theyz were connected by Heidi! They immediately found kindred spirits in one another- similar work, complex family systems, and offering support through navigating new calls, and lots of mirroring life changes/transitions!

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Chapter I:

Introductory Rites

Prelude

Processions

• Wedding Party: “In Dreams”
• The Children: “Concerning Hobbits”
• Bride Gabby: “Take, O Take Me As I Am.”

Call to worship

One: We come, gathered to this place from all around the world to witness the joining of they who are embodying love,

Many: We come, bringing with us our cares and concerns, our memories of how love has intertwined within our own lives,

One: We come, with attentiveness to those whom we have loved, who are not here, yet still adding their blessings and shadows upon this day,

Many: We come, with gratitude for they who have been roots to trees blossoming into love: the ancestors, the teachers, the mentors, the guides... and all who have contributed to the love of Rachel and Gabby.

One: We come to this place, on this day, stretching towards all that is Holy. Calling upon the Name of the Divine.

Many: We come to lay our witness of love before Christ, to intertwine it with the love of God, and to send it forth in the Spirit of celebration.

One: Let us gather our hearts and minds for worship and witness, gratitude and joy!

The Trees of Valinor 

(Reader: Erin Sheley)

Trees are ancient sacred images with deep roots in Christian and non-Christian stories, inspiring the work of myth-makers like J.R.R. Tolkien. In The Silmarillion, Tolkien describes the Two Trees of Valinor, Laurelin and Telperion, shining with the light of the sun and moon respectively. Each tree has seasons of sharing its light, seasons of basking in the others glow, and seasons of mutual brilliance when their grace mingles with special radiance. For reasons of personal and mythic significance, Rachel and Gabby have chosen these trees as symbols of their love and marriage.

Opening Prayer

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Chapter II:

Liturgy of the Word 

The Bahr-Bychowski household is proudly interfaith, drawing on an array of traditions, primarily sharing values with the United Church of Christ and Roman Catholic Church. On this day, the threefold structure of readings (Old Testament, Epistles, and Gospel) follows Catholic convention while the sermon will be preached by an ordained UCC Minister. The Old Testament reading will be given by Gabby’s Bridesmaid Maria as it is drawn out of her Jewish tradition. The New Testament reading will be given by Rachel’s Maid of Honor Beth as it comes from her Christian tradition. The Gospel will be sung, adapted from Mary’s Magnificat in the Gospel of Luke, by the choir.

First Reading: Ruth 1: 8-17 

(Reader: Maria Carson)

Response: “Wherever You Will Go”

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12 

(Reader: Beth Kelly)

Acclamation: “Alleluia”

Gospel: “The Canticle of Turning” 

(based on the Magnificat)

Sermon
(delivered by the Rev. Dr. Chris Davies)

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Chapter III:

The Celebration of Matrimony

The Questions

The Officiants will question the couple regarding their intentions to marry. Marriage is a sacrament sanctified by the Church and community but one that is distinctly initiated by the couple in response to the love and intentions placed in their hearts.

Vows

Traditional and Written.

Exchange of Rings

(Ring Bearers: Laura Bychowski and Beth Kelly)

As a circle has no beginning and end, rings are signs of unending love. The exchange of rings functions as a sign of mutual commitment to one another.

Blessing

The Silmarils 

(Silmarils Bearer: Megan Bowman; Reader: Megan McCue)

In the age of the Trees of Valinor, gems were made to preserve their mingled lights for future generations. Today, Rachel and Gabby honor their children with Silmaril necklaces as an affirmation of their place in the story of love, life, and light.

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Chapter IV:

Liturgy of Communion

Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts

Reflecting the processing of grain and grape (picking, crushing, and remaking), bread and wine are ancient symbols of life, death, and rebirth.

Sanctus

The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Communion Prayer and Rite

Communion today is performed in the UCC open-table tradition. ALL are welcome!

Lord’s Prayer [in Unison]

“Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.”

Sign of Peace 

All shake hands or embrace in an affirmation of interdependence and respect.

Lamb of God 

A recognition of the gifts of grace and peace received by our community on this day.

Communion

Communion has diverse meanings across Christian denominations. Catholics affirm the Eucharist as the body of Christ. The UCC leaves the mystery open to interpretation. By sharing bread and cup, we commit ourselves to the lives, deaths, and resurrections of one another. ALL are welcome to participate in the tradition of communion today.

With people everywhere we affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity, planted more deeply than all that is wrong… Thanks be to God.

The Legacy of Light 

(Reader: Emily Hofstaedter)

The Trees of Valinor are not the origin or end of the two lights. Before the Trees, existed the Great Gold and Silver Lamps. After the Trees, came the Sun and Moon, as well as the Silmarils. Light, love, and life are legacies. Today we use the tradition of lights to recognize those who have come before us, our grandparents and parents (those tied to us by blood and our chosen family) as well as all our children.

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Chapter V:

Concluding Rite 

Benediction

Recessional: The Rainbow Connection 

“Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?”

Rachel & Poppa

“Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide. So we've been told and some choose to believe it. I know they're wrong wait and see
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Choir joins:

Who said that wishes would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?
Someone thought of that and someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic
Have you been sleeping and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me”

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The Mingling of Lights: Wedding Vows of the Reverend and Doctor

"In Valinor twice every day 

there came a gentle hour of softer light 

when both trees were faint and 

their gold and silver beams were mingled"

The Silmarillion

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Vows of the Golden Tree

I promise to give you nuzzles even when I'm tired or my feelings are hurt

I promise to be honest always and gentle

I promise to protect you always, to use wisdom in discerning when to act in your defense

I promise to never grow tired of your pondering or the excitement you have in sharing your comic books and other books you are reading

I promise to respect your body, mind, and soul and all the wonderful intricacies that makes you wonderfully you

I promise to challenge you to be the best you you can be, even if it gets me in trouble

I promise to let go of the things that do not matter, and be more gracious than judgmental of your growing edges

I promise to respect your boundaries of self-care

I promise to be an anchor for you when you feel as if you might fall down or apart

I promise to honor our theological differences of opinion, to celebrate our unity, and hopefully to push one another to expansive thinking

I promise to read books in common and debate ideas, disagree when necessary

I promise to see your beauty even when you aren't running anymore, and maybe your teeth are gone

I promise to honor your role as momma Gabby, and the brilliant ways you encourage our kids to think more critically, see the talents they embody, and encourage world domination by these Bahr warriors

I promise to raise kids with you, go on pilgrimages with you, support your spiritual growth and endeavors

It's taken me years to feel more at peace in my body, and I'm clear that there is nobody I would rather begin this journey than with you, I love you forever and always, I love you and I like you

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Vows of the Silver Tree

To your golden light, I vow my silver tree. When the day has wearied you, as you are ready to rest, may I be the light to shine on you through the night when all other lights go out. Because I shine the brighter in your presence.

To your thirst for adventure, I vow my fellowship. When shires label you a “disturber of the peace,” the road carries you off, through mist and shadow, far from home, may I be your companion into the distant mountains. The world is a far bigger place because of you.

To your courage, I vow my loyalty. When the good fight rides out to meet you, even when all seems lost, may I be your shield maiden, guarding your back. I can’t always carry your burden but sometimes I can carry you. The world is a more resilient place because of you.

To your creativity, I vow my patient help. When the spheres whisper their secrets to your imagination, as you play and wonder, may I be your cheerleader and assistant, your editor and researcher. The world is a more interesting place because of you.

To your compassion, I vow my heart-chest. When you challenge the despair of world’s end, may I be a 2nd heart to carry laughter and tears. The world is a kinder place because of you.

To your power, I vow my hearth and home. When you set down your burdens may I be the last homely house with comfort and neck rubs. The world is a stronger place because of you.

To your western sky, I vow my waiting ships. As we marry not only into one another’s lives but also one another’s brokenness, changes, and death, may I honor not only this version of you but each version that will come. And when night falls and all the world turns to silver glass, may you sail into the west knowing that my fellowship, loyalty, help, hearth, hope, and perseverance is still with you and the good your golden light brings into this world.

To your you, I vow my me. I love you and I like you. I vow to be a mother to our children, to be your partner, your wife, and your “us” as long as long as we both shall live.

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