Tapping the Hive Mind

[dreams_of_wings]

so here's the thing people: I got this job teaching expository writing, right? This is awesome. No complaints But I got the job on Monday. I'm in the middle of this writing retreat. Classes start on September 7. All of this means that I need to order books NOW, or at the latest by the end of the week. and with the writing retreat going on right now

Comments

[srl]

For teaching about prison reform, I'd suggest starting at the Prison Law Blog. For social justice issues in general, especially about race and racism, I'd suggest nearly anything at colorlines.com. I'd also suggest reading the long-form journalism pieces of Katherine Boo, published in the New Yorker for the last several years. One of her best pieces is titled "The Marriage Cure." It should be findable by searching for her name in Lexis-Nexis over the past 5 to 10 years.

[muffyjo]

meaty sections on social issues
I can't help but offer up "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift although it would require context and is out of date. Although it certainly be discussed in a modern context.

Meanwhile, for social change, you might consider something on Boston Busing? I remember reading Common Ground for my major back in College which is about three families lives, the racial issues and how busing affected their lives.

[_saint_cecilia_]

Seconding "Common Ground," which is my all-time favorite. Perhaps a little Upton Sinclair is also in order?

[catya]

utopia / 1984?

[gargoyal3]

we read "Monster" in one of my undergrad classes
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802141447/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0140232257&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1R5KVM8RG719SSG786X9

[marcusmarcusrc]

I liked "A Door Into Ocean" which is kind of a utopian novel, though I haven't read it since college and it might not be appropriate for a business college (and is probably on the long side for such a reading assignment, anyway). Or, "The Dispossessed: An Ambiguous Utopia" by Ursula K. LeGuin. (hmm... both those novels contrast a "utopian" planet with a much more businesslike planet...). Also by LeGuin, more dystopian, is Lathe of Heaven, and that one is a lot shorter.