If you are reading this, it's probably either (a) because you're taking my class (CSCL 1501W-002, "Reading Hitler (et al): Theory and Practice," University of Minnesota, Spring 2011), or (b) because you're a Hitler lover or similarly scary individual.
Either way, welcome! This blog was created primarily for the former category of persons -- who will be using it for our class work -- but is open to all. All I ask is that, while you're here, you follow the four rules for cooperative conversation set down by the Aryan linguist H. Paul Grice...
1) QUALITY. You are free to express any viewpoint on any issue, but you must back any statement you make with sufficient evidence. This will often mean citing a page in a book, or other relevant sources. "Because I said so" does not suffice, unless you're in possession of a V2 rocket.
2) QUANTITY. Express your viewpoints thoroughly, with good argument and evidence; at the same time, avoid writing unnecessarily long or repetitive posts. Wild gesticulating is optional.
3) RELATION. Keep your posts and comments relevant. Read other people's posts -- including our posting assignments -- before you write posts or comments, and we'll keep a much more coherent conversation going. And coherence is the key to order -- just ask Albert Speer.
4) MANNER. Write as clearly as possible. The point is to make yourself clear to the rest of us, and to convince of the truth of your arguments. Avoid mimicking the literary style of Mein Kampf.
...as well as one fifth rule of my own:
5) RESPECT. Please respect all participants in the discussion at all times -- even (especially) when you must respectfully disagree. No flame wars (or, you know, World Wars), please!
And as always, if you have any trouble posting, or understanding posting assignments, or with anything else (though I'm not sure how much help I can be in getting your Panzer or WV started), feel free to give me a call or send me an email.
P.S.: Forgive all the awful Hitler humor. I couldn't resist.
1) QUALITY. You are free to express any viewpoint on any issue, but you must back any statement you make with sufficient evidence. This will often mean citing a page in a book, or other relevant sources. "Because I said so" does not suffice, unless you're in possession of a V2 rocket.
2) QUANTITY. Express your viewpoints thoroughly, with good argument and evidence; at the same time, avoid writing unnecessarily long or repetitive posts. Wild gesticulating is optional.
3) RELATION. Keep your posts and comments relevant. Read other people's posts -- including our posting assignments -- before you write posts or comments, and we'll keep a much more coherent conversation going. And coherence is the key to order -- just ask Albert Speer.
4) MANNER. Write as clearly as possible. The point is to make yourself clear to the rest of us, and to convince of the truth of your arguments. Avoid mimicking the literary style of Mein Kampf.
...as well as one fifth rule of my own:
5) RESPECT. Please respect all participants in the discussion at all times -- even (especially) when you must respectfully disagree. No flame wars (or, you know, World Wars), please!
And as always, if you have any trouble posting, or understanding posting assignments, or with anything else (though I'm not sure how much help I can be in getting your Panzer or WV started), feel free to give me a call or send me an email.
P.S.: Forgive all the awful Hitler humor. I couldn't resist.
