Getting started

Hi everyone,

Here's a quick reminder of what's required for our next session, Thursday morning.

First, sign up as a contributor to the class blog ( alternativity), which requires you to have a google account.  I'm sending you an invitation this afternoon to join as an author.  If you don't have a google account, you'll need to sign up for one.  It's free.  We'll talk more about what the blog is for -- but becoming an author is all you need to worry about for now.

Second, produce a paper of 600-900 words (which is 2-3 pages of double spaced text in 12 pt font, if you're composing it that way) on "A day in my life in 02038".  I'll explain the zero before the year, at our next meeting.  It doesn't affect the assignment -- which is to simply describe a scenario of a day in your own life thirty years from now.  That needs to be *emailed* to me any time between now and the start of class this Thursday, 17 January.  Regular email will be fine, although if you prefer, you could send it as a word doc or pdf attachment instead.  Include your full name, email address, and UH student number (8 digits) at the top, please.

Third, and this is just a heads up: from now on, you'll need to produce after each class a "minute paper" -- a quick paragraph in response to that class.  It needs to posted to the blog by midnight on that day.  Tell me what you learned (what was new to you), and what you would like to examine or discuss further, either because you found it interesting, or confusing, or unclear (whatever).  Any other observations (for example, things that the class made you think about or that troubled you) are also welcome.  I will say more about how to post these when we meet.

Again, you don't need to do a minute paper for today's class -- just focus on items one and two, for now.

One more thing. My office is in Saunders Hall, room 632 (that's the sixth floor).  I'm there every day.  Please email me if you'd like to arrange an appointment for any reason, at least a day in advance would be best.  The office phone number is 956-2888, but email is preferred.  (Emergency or drop-in visits are welcome too -- my door is always open, in principle -- but you'd be running the risk of coming all that way only to find that I'm not available.)

Thanks for your participation today, I'm looking forward to a great semester with you all.

See you Thursday,
Stuart