Normal American Life

To gain insight into The Isla Vista Shooting, read the shooter's manifesto, and make connections to Holden Caulfield and Mark David Chapman. Be ready to discuss the ending of the book this week.

A few articles about education

This article is an intriguing look at the education system in contemporary American society.

This is a fascinating look at who gets to graduate from college.

TCITR reading homework by May, Monday 19th, 2014

By Monday, you will have read through chapter 20 in TCITR and completed the following, in print, in your journals, which entries I will check on the aforementioned date.

1. Summary of three chapters.

2. Quote and analysis of three chapters (using information from the notes we took in class about psychological disorders)

3. Memorize the following words, their parts of speech, and contextualized sentences.

1. ostracize
   expel from a community or group
   NOTES:
   

   The whole team ostracized me the whole way back on the train.
   
2. reversible
   capable of reversing or being reversed
   NOTES:
   

   I only had on my reversible and no gloves or anything.
   
3. recuperate
   restore to good health or strength
   NOTES:
   

   "I'm still recuperating," I told her.
   
4. sadistic
   deriving pleasure or sexual gratification from inflicting pain on another
   NOTES:
   

   I was pretty sadistic with him quite often.
   
5. nonchalant
   marked by blithe unconcern
   NOTES:
   

   I just got very cool and nonchalant.
   
6. rile
   cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
   NOTES:
   

   You couldn't rile him too easily.
   
7. putrid
   of or relating to or attended by putrefaction
   NOTES:
   

   The band was putrid.
   
8. gory
   covered with blood
   NOTES:
   

   I didn't want a bunch of stupid rubbernecks looking at me when I was all gory.

Please don't complete the reading and the homework if you enjoy being a slave.