JOMC 144 Censorship
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Assignments

Comparative Analysis

Type a 3-page comparative analysis of the Sibley and Bailey articles. (Exercise in Critical Thinking)

"Can Foreign Policy Be Democratic?" by Mulford Q. Sibley
"The Dilemma of Democracy" by Thomas A. Bailey

Eight criteria for your comparative analysis:

    1. What is the basic theme of each article?
    2. Are there any ideas or points that are found in both articles - or is each article completely different?
    3. Do the articles contradict each other or are they a case of literary ships passing in the night?
    4. Does one article rely more on facts than the other one?
    5. Does one article seem to present its facts and its points more logically than the other one?
    6. Which article makes the strongest points?
    7. Which article makes the weakest points?
    8. Overall, which is the more effectively presented article?

Take home quiz on Encyclopedia Articles on Censorship

Answer these six questions in an outline (NO ESSAY):

    1. What are the essential points in each article?
    2. Which one of the articles provides the most comprehensive analysis of censorship? Why?
    3. Which article is the weakest? Why?
    4. Which article emphasizes U.S. Constitutional Cases?
    5. Which two articles provides rationalizations and justifications for censorship? List the articles and the rationalizations.
    6. The names, "Bowdler" and "Comstock," are mentioned in two articles. Their prolific activities as private censors gave rise to two eponyms: "bowlderizing" and "comstockery." Create two eponyms that reflect censorship.

Group Presentations

Read your particular chapter in "What Johnny Shouldn't Read" and sections in "The True Believer" in time for the group presentations.

Each of the 10 chapters and sections will also be assigned to students in groups of 5 or 6, depending on the number of pages.

Each group will present a stop-watch-timed 10 minute creative and imaginative analysis of the chapter's contents during two class periods. Students will meet with their respective groups to decide the method of presentation and which part will be assigned to each student.

Final Paper

The final paper will analyze some aspect of historical or contemporary censorship,utilizing the syllabus' taxonomy, readings, the lectures, your research, and Referenced Book, articles, and court decisions.

The subject need not have been covered in class. Three weeks before the paper is due, students will submit one or two ideas for their paper. Two weeks before the paper is due, students will submit a one-page outline of the paper.

Be sure to consult the 10 Final Paper Questions as you write your paper.

Note: 5 points will be taken off the paper grade for late outlines.

A late term paper is an oxymoron.
Deadlines are a professional imperative - especially in the communications industries. Term papers must be submitted by the deadline in the syllabus. If your paper is a day later, only a physician's letter documenting a serious illness will prevent your grade from being devalued one letter grade. Two days late, two grade devaluations, etc.