Apr 5: Preparation Post for More Discussion of Testimony, Trauma Narratives & Memorials
Dear All Good Folks in ENG 4815:
First, please do refresh your memory of our discussion last class (here). We need to continue with Gilmore and Anzaldua, for Gilmore's piece is a bit challenging to unpack and Anzaldua's essay deserves more attention. (And may Eric Doxtader forgive us for not incorporating him into our discussion.)
Second, as promised, for Thursday's class, I need you to do some formal preparation in advance:
(1) Locate a hypertextual or digitally multimodal example of a human rights text that functions primarily based on testimony or testimonial narrative. If you are stuck, feel free to use Sharon Daniel's hypertext essay "Public Secrets", but you may also feel free to explore other sources. (For example, you might search electronic journals such as Vectors, Kairos, or Rhizomes. Or, you could search other human rights organizations for their uniquely digital projects (e.g., BeyondPrison, Jewish Voice for Peace, Human Rights Watch), or even an organization you may belong to, whether faith-based or non-. Spend some time navigating the hypertextual/digital project, taking note of how it launches, how it works, what it argues, and etc. (If you use "Public Secrets," be sure to VIEW PROJECT.)
(2) Compose a post to this course blog in which you discuss how the project you have chosen reflects each of the following concepts (this will likely take several paragraphs):
(3) Please include an image, screenshot, or URL of your chosen hypertext somewhere in your post.
Do not worry: this is not a test; it is an opportunity for you to discuss/try on new terms, even as you are still figuring them out. Because this blog is a public space, of course, please be sure to accommodate a reader not in this class (i.e., explain and unpack your assumptions and terms).
Many thanks,
-Prof. Graban
First, please do refresh your memory of our discussion last class (here). We need to continue with Gilmore and Anzaldua, for Gilmore's piece is a bit challenging to unpack and Anzaldua's essay deserves more attention. (And may Eric Doxtader forgive us for not incorporating him into our discussion.)
Second, as promised, for Thursday's class, I need you to do some formal preparation in advance:
(1) Locate a hypertextual or digitally multimodal example of a human rights text that functions primarily based on testimony or testimonial narrative. If you are stuck, feel free to use Sharon Daniel's hypertext essay "Public Secrets", but you may also feel free to explore other sources. (For example, you might search electronic journals such as Vectors, Kairos, or Rhizomes. Or, you could search other human rights organizations for their uniquely digital projects (e.g., BeyondPrison, Jewish Voice for Peace, Human Rights Watch), or even an organization you may belong to, whether faith-based or non-. Spend some time navigating the hypertextual/digital project, taking note of how it launches, how it works, what it argues, and etc. (If you use "Public Secrets," be sure to VIEW PROJECT.)
(2) Compose a post to this course blog in which you discuss how the project you have chosen reflects each of the following concepts (this will likely take several paragraphs):
- Delagrange's idea of "remediation" or "embodiment" -- this will depend upon which chapter you have chosen to read from Technologies of Wonder: chapter 2 or chapter 3 (downloading PDF of your chapter is highly recommended);
- Gilmore's idea of "testimony" or "trauma discourse";
- Anzaldua's "mestiza way" (I suggest "mestiza way" instead of "mestiza consciousness" because I know that Anzaldua doesn't say that just anyone can qualify as "mestiza", but please select the idea that you think works best with your hypertext).
(3) Please include an image, screenshot, or URL of your chosen hypertext somewhere in your post.
Do not worry: this is not a test; it is an opportunity for you to discuss/try on new terms, even as you are still figuring them out. Because this blog is a public space, of course, please be sure to accommodate a reader not in this class (i.e., explain and unpack your assumptions and terms).
Many thanks,
-Prof. Graban