PART 1Week 1 Discussion, title above, then click Create Thread in the upper left, to post your initial response.The Discussions are not simply statements of opinion. They are intended to allow you to expand upon and apply the principles discussed in your textbook, the lectures, and/or other research you conduct. Each week a question will be posed for your consideration. Before answering, you should review the chapters covered during this week and the lectures.It is strongly encouraged that your initial post be posted by 11:59 PM ET on Thursday. It should be at least 250 words. This MUST be in your own words. Do NOT copy and paste from the Internet. You MAY use quotes from a source, but those quotes will NOT count towards your 250-word count requirement. Please do not plagiarize. If you use a quote, you MUST put quotation marks around it AND you MUST cite the source at the end of your post. It is NOT simply enough to put a source at the end. You should also include at least one reference in your post cited per APA. Do NOT use Wikipedia or Yahoo! Answers as a source.You should then make at least two additional posts to other students. These posts should be at least 100 words and be substantive in nature. While pleasantries such as “I agree” or “great job” are nice, they will not count as one of your required posts. Your posts should be on at least 3 separate days with all being completed by 11:59 PM ET Sunday.All organisms affect the evolution of the other organisms in their biological community. Flowering plants probably are the reason insects developed wings, and insects almost certainly are responsible for the development of showy flowers and sweet nectar because they would pollinate only those plants having these attributes. Human beings can also be considered "agents of selection" in the evolution of other species. For this week’s discussion, choose a particular species that humans have “caused” to evolve. Name the species and explain how humans have caused the evolution of the species. PART 2Week 1 Assignment: Prokaryotes in Society Website Recommendation BlogPart 1: Initial Blog Post on Prokaryotes in SocietyProkaryotic organisms like bacteria and archaea have a variety roles in society from causing foodborne illnesses (i.e. Salmonella, E.coli and Listeria), being involved in symbiotic relationships (Rhizobium and nitrogen fixation) and they have medicinal purposes (i.e. production of antibodies) to name a few. For Week 1, after you have completed the readings (Chapters 14 – 17 and specifically Chapter 17), research the internet and use reliable and credible scientific resources to investigate a specific prokaryotic organism (a bacterial or archaea species) and discuss it and its role within society.Please select a prokaryotic organism (a bacterial or archaea species) which has not been blogged about by another student. This will diversify our Week 1 Blog with information on different species of prokaryotic organisms. [NOTE: Duplicate topic initial blog posts will have a 10 point deduction for not discussing a specific prokaryotic species that has not been discussed]. [NOTE: Neither open resources nor open blogs can be used as sources of information; see 'Researching Information' within the class for more information on appropriate credible/reliable sources of information]. This is not an opinion assignment; therefore information presented about Prokaryotes in Society must be supported by reliable academic/scientific resources (facts supported by research). [Not citing a specific reliable academic/scientific resource is an automatic 10 point deduction].Write a full paragraph (a 150-words minimum) for your initial blog post discussing a specific species of prokaryotic organism and the role it has within society. Be sure to describe what the prokaryotic species is. Where is it found? How does it interact with humans and/or other species (i.e. harmful, beneficial or mutualistic relationship) ? What role does it play in the ecosystem, etc.?Also required within the initial blog post is sharing the website (specific URL) and what you have learned from this resource and/or have found particularly helpful when reviewing the website.Do not copy and paste directly from the website. This blog should be written in your own words. Any content and paraphrased information from the resource (URL) must be properly cited per APA including the specific URL (website) you are recommending. The blog post must be directly posted in the classroom; please do not upload a Word document only. The initial blog post is strongly suggested to be posted by 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday of Week 1.Part 2: Blog Response PostPeruse some of the Blog entries made by your fellow classmates. Choose at least one that you found useful and comment on how the website helped you with your understanding of a specific prokaryotic species and its role within society. The comment should be 100 words minimum.For Part 2 – posting the Blog Response Post to a fellow classmate, click the “Week 1 Assignment – Prokaryotes in Society Blog” to enter the assignment. The screen will refresh and on the right side will be a black bar with “Blog details” on it and below that will be your name and a down arrow. Click the arrow and all the people who have posted blog posts will be listed. Read through the post by selecting the fellow student’s name and the screen will refresh – scroll to bottom and on the bottom left will be the student’s blog post. When ready to respond, click “Comment” at the end of the blog post and then a space will open below the blog post you are responding to. When done with the response blog post, click “Add”. Then the response blog post is posted.Both parts (1 & 2) of the Week 1 Assignment must be posted on separate days. The Week 1 Assignment (both Parts 1 & 2) are due and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday of Week 1.The Week 1 Assignment – Prokaryotes in Society Website Recommendation Blog is worth a potential total maximum of 100 points and there are two components: (1) Part 1: your initial blog post, 150 words minimum, discussing a credible and reliable, scientific website (10 points maximum) that augments what you have already learned about that specific prokaryotic species. The initial blog post will be scored on topic (10 points), grammar and spelling (10 points), content and discussion of the prokaryotic species (40 points maximum), submitted on a different day than Part 2 (5 points) and meeting the minimum blog post length of 150 words (5 points) (2) Part 2: response blog post to a fellow classmate and it will be scored on grammar and spelling (2.5 points), content and discussion of what was learned about the specific prokaryotic species from the blog post and resource (15 points maximum) and meeting the minimum blog post length of 100 words (2.5 points maximum).

Purpose:In the Tabula Rasa projects you will use Ossian Ward’s “T.A.B.U.L.A.” method to look at, analyze, reflect upon and write about a work of contemporary art. Through following this method you will practice synthesizing your observations, impressions, research and understandings about the artwork. This will help you approach works of art in any context and be able to have a meaningful experience engaging with even the most challenging or confusing works of contemporary art. It will also help you become familiar with the complex ways artists use specific materials, locations and imagery to communicate their ideas and promote deeper thinking in their artwork’s viewers.Skills:active observationinterpretationpersonal reflectioncritical analysisevaluationInstructions:Using Ossian Ward's Tabula Rasa step-by-step process, you will be looking at, learning and researching about, and analyzing a specific artist's (or artist collective's) singular artwork or body of related artworks.Part 1:T is for Time – Clear your mind (as Ossian Ward says: wipe your brain slate clean!). Set a timer on your phone to record how much time you spend looking at and engaging with the documentation of the artwork(s) in this initial phase. Spend time looking at, analyzing and jotting down thoughts and notes about the artwork documentation in Section One of the included document. Be sure you look at ALL material given here - both photos and video links, if given. At this stage the only information you have is the images and/or video documentation, and the brief informational caption about the artwork (much like what you would experience seeing an artwork on display in a gallery or museum). Take your time, don't rush through this step in just a few minutes. You need to spend enough time with these images/videos/text to really build thoughtful associations to the artwork. Record the time you spent looking in Part One of the assignment template (note: please do not include the time you spend writing your Association response - just the time you spend carefully looking at all the artwork documentation). (Note: everyone will inevitably need different amounts of time for this stage. I am asking you to honestly time yourself and record the time so that you gain a better sense of how quickly or slowly you engage in the observational process)A is for Association – In Part One of the assignment template, write about your initial observations, thoughts, reactions, questions and gut feelings about the artwork(s) based on what you have seen so far. What details did you notice about the materials, the imagery, the way the artwork is made or displayed, its scale, its relationship to architectural or social space, etc.? On first observation, what about the artwork hooked you, challenged you, excited you, etc.? WHY? Be specific! Write down all your initial observations and associations with the artwork. You don't need to know what the artist's intentions for the artwork are (what the artwork is about) at this stage - discuss what your experience looking at it is. Note: if there is a series of artworks (rather than just one singular artwork) included in the assignment, please make sure you discuss all of them as they relate to each other. Please also ensure that it's clear from your response that you have indeed looked at all images and video documentation included. (200-300 words please)Part 2:B is for Background - Watch the linked video(s) and/or read the provided literature about the artwork provided in Section Two of the included information document. In addition to watching/reading all included explanatory material, please conduct independent research about the artist(s) and their artwork(s) online. Look for other writings, reviews and/or videos that help you to understand the artist's practice and ideas, and the given artwork(s) in greater depth. (Wikipedia and Artsy are not acceptable sources of information). In Part Two of the assignment template, please include a works cited list of the research you have conducted (at least 2-3 independently-found sources should be listed). Please give the title, author's name, and website url for each source listed.U is for Understanding – In Part Two of the assignment template, write about some of the significant or valuable things you learned about the contexts for the artwork(s) and the background of the artist's ideas and making process. Explain why you found these things valuable for expanding your understanding about the artwork(s). Make sure that you address information you gleaned BOTH from the resources included in Section Two of the assignment document, AND at least one other independently-sourced web resource in your writing for this section. (200-300 words please)IMPORTANT: remember you must quote and attribute anyone else’s thoughts or writing properly (give the author’s full name and title of the article/website/review. See the “How to Avoid Plagiarism” page in the Welcome Module for guidelines). Part 3:L is for Look Again – Take a break! Then, with fresh eyes and expanded understanding go back and look at the artwork(s) again. A is for Assessment – In Part Three of the assignment template, describe your overall and final impressions about this artwork based on what you were able to see, as well as the information you gleaned about the artist and their work through research. You can discuss the materials, the artist’s ideas, the artwork's location, the imagery, the historical/social/economic/political/spiritual/etc. background, your own reactions to these things, etc. Some questions that might guide you: What have you come away with from this experience of engaging with the given artwork? Has it shifted your thinking about art? Do you feel the artwork is successful? Why? What do you think this artwork does for its viewers, yourself included? Etc. This section is where you really focus on your own original thinking about the artwork. You’ve already described what you’ve observed and learned about the artwork - now is when you should be analyzing all this information with a personal and critical lens. (200-300 words please) You can always revisit the Introduction to Ways of Looking by Ossian Ward if you want a more in-depth reminder of how he describes the T.A.B.U.L.A. method.Your Task:Before beginning, please download the following documents, which you will use to complete this Tabula Rasa assignment:See attached file. Tabula Rasa #2 Information Document - Aki Sasamoto (this is the document containing all the images, videos and information about Sasamoto's artwork necessary to complete this assignment)Please follow the instructions outlined in the Information Document (and above) VERY CAREFULLY as you look at the video and photographic documentation of Aki Sasamoto's performance titled "Delicate Cycle" and follow the T.A.B.U.L.A. method to respond to the artwork and its background. Criteria for Success:I can't emphasize the first step enough: TAKE TIME! Rushing through this assignment will result in superficial responses and research. In your writing for each step of the process you should demonstrate your openness and willingness to be stretched by the artwork. Your responses should be detailed and specific to show that you really are carefully looking at and responding to the artwork and all the background information you learn through the process. You can make use of things you've learned so far this week about Storytelling and Humor as reference points to strengthen your approach to this artwork.Below is the rubric that will be used to evaluate your Tabula Rasa Assignments. You may use this rubric to self evaluate whether you have done an excellent, satisfactory or insufficient job completing the assignment.RubricTabula Rasa RubricTabula Rasa RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 1: Time1 to >0.5 ptsFull PointsStudent has recorded their time spent reviewing all the documentation in Part 1, demonstrating they've spent sufficient time looking at all included images and video links in depth.0.5 to >0.0 ptsRoom for ImprovementStudent records too little time (i.e. only a few minutes) to fully engage with all the images and/or videos included in Part 1. This will vary depending how much documentation is given.0 ptsZeroNo time is recorded.1 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 1: Association2 to >1.5 ptsFull PointsStudent thoughtfully describes their observations, associations and initial impressions about the artwork(s) based ONLY on the documentation available in Part 1 of the assignment. Student makes clear and detailed reference to the artwork(s) to support their observations.1.5 to >1.0 ptsSufficient1 to >0.5 ptsRoom for ImprovementStudent's description of their observations, impressions and associations about the artwork are generalized, vague, and/or lacking in detail or depth.0.5 to >0.0 ptsInsufficient0 ptsZeroStudent submits a completely unconvincing response that isn't clearly related to the artwork documentation in Part 1 or to the Association writing prompt / no writing submitted in this section2 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 1: Length1 to >0.5 ptsFull PointsAssociation response is at least 200 words in length.0.5 to >0.0 ptsRoom for ImprovementAssociation response is between 175-199 words in length.0 ptsZeroAssociation response is under 175 words in length.1 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 2: Background and Research2 to >1.5 ptsFull PointsStudent lists at least 2-3 independent research sources (beyond those given in Part 2) by title, author name, and url link in the Bibliography section of the template.1.5 to >1.0 ptsSufficient1 to >0.5 ptsRoom for ImprovementBibliography lists only one resource, demonstrating that the student has conducted little independent research.0.5 to >0.0 ptsInsufficient0 ptsZeroNo independently researched sources are listed in the Bibliography section of the template.2 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 2: Understanding2 to >1.5 ptsFull PointsStudent gives a thoughtful account of what has shifted in their understanding about the artwork(s), clearly discussing material from the resources given in Part 2 AND from at least one independent source in their bibliography.1.5 to >1.0 ptsSufficient1 to >0.5 ptsRoom for ImprovementStudent's account of their understanding is superficial or unconvincing and/or lacks clear reference to EITHER the included Part 2 resources or their independent research.0.5 to >0.0 ptsInsufficient0 ptsZeroStudent submits a completely unconvincing response that isn't clearly related to any Background research or to the Understanding writing prompt / no writing submitted in this section2 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 2: Length1 to >0.5 ptsFull PointsUnderstanding response is at least 200 words in length.0.5 to >0.0 ptsRoom for ImprovementUnderstanding response is between 175-199 words in length.0 ptsZeroUnderstanding response is under 175 words in length.1 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 3: Assessment2 to >1.5 ptsFull PointsStudent gives a meaningful, thoughtful and personalized argument for their final assessment of the artwork(s) which clearly demonstrates the progression of their ideas, impressions and observations.1.5 to >1.0 ptsSufficient1 to >0.5 ptsRoom for ImprovementFinal assessment is superficial, vague and/or lacking in depth and specificity / student reiterates things written in previous sections without expanding those observations into a convincing, culminating assessment.0.5 to >0.0 ptsInsufficient0 ptsZeroStudent submits a completely unconvincing response that isn't clearly related to the artwork(s), to research about them, or to the Assessment writing prompt / no writing submitted in this section2 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePART 3: Length1 to >0.5 ptsFull PointsAssessment response is at least 200 words in length.0.5 to >0.0 ptsRoom for ImprovementAssessment response is between 175-199 words in length.0 ptsZeroAssessment response is under 175 words in length.1 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeProper attribution, quoting and paraphrasing3 to >1.5 ptsFull PointsStudent consistently attributes sources by name and title accurately and properly quotes and paraphrases when referring to someone else's words or ideas.1.5 to >0.0 ptsRoom for ImprovementStudent sometimes, but not consistently, quotes, paraphrases, and attributes by name the authors/artists whose words/ideas/artworks they are sharing0 ptsZeroStudent fails to properly attribute any sources by name/title, or to quote/paraphrase properly, thereby risking a situation of plagiarism.3 ptsTotal Points: 15