IntroductionThe discussion groups serve as the main form of communication and collective learning in this course. You have been assigned to a discussion group and you will learn together throughout the course. The purpose of the boards is to respond and ask questions about the readings with your classmates. If you quote the readings, please use proper citation.DirectionsAfter reading the required selections, please post a response and follow up question to the group thread. You can respond to more than one question and questions should only be a guide to the conversation not required questions to be answered in essay form. Guiding Questions: We organize institutions in ways that delegitimize the claims, identities, and behaviors of particular people. What tools do people in positions of power use to discredit others within universities? Prisons? Churches? The military? What is a “spoiled identity”? Why don’t people with those identities always feel stigmatized? In what way is stigma the byproduct of social expectations and contexts? How do parents make sense of a tragedy such as the murder of their child? How do third-party interpretations and interventions influence their interpretations of the meaning of the event? Due Dates

Module 6: Overview: TranscendentalismSummaryModule 6 surveys surveys the important writers and texts of the Transcendental philosophy leading up to the American Civil War.ObjectivesDemonstrate critical reading, thinking, and writing skills by analyzing important writers and texts of the Transcendental philosophy leading up to the American Civil War;Identify content, structure, and style in literary texts;Recognize the value inherent in literary art forms and the powerful impact they may have on audiences;Identify and analyze the connections between the literature and American history and philosophical and religious movements;Define and identify the basic characteristics of American TranscendentalismDefine and provide examples of the literary characteristics of works by American authors from the mid-nineteenth century;Discuss some recurring themes of American literatureReadingsComplete the following:"The Great Lawsuit," Margaret Fuller, pp 723-59"Self-Reliance," Ralph Waldo Emerson, pp 178-81; 237-53"Resistance to Civil Government," Henry David Thoreau, pp 950-69Nathaniel Hawthorne, pp 328-32; "Young Goodman Brown", pp 345-54; "The Birth-mark", pp 377-88AssignmentsPlease complete all of these assignments before the conclusion of Module 6:Transcendentalism, Vol. B:Complete all readingsDiscussion #6: A National LiteratureChallenge Task #6Writing Assignment #6Paper #2 Questionnaire DetailsPart 1 Module 6: Discussion #6: TranscendentalismDirectionsBefore beginning your second discussion thread, Review the Discussion Board Expectations in the Syllabus under Course Grading.(1) In this discussion, there are a number of Discussion Prompts listed below. You must respond to TWO of them.Make your initial post before the Module is halfway over. (As always, please consult the course Calendar where the instructor will list specific due dates.)Return before the Module closes and respond to at least two classmates' posts, preferably on the same topics you chose. Continue the conversation with your fellow students.Students are expected to read what other students have posted.Students may reply to, or expand upon, points made by other students in the thread.(2) To earn points:All posts should average about two paragraphs minimum. All posts MUST be significant and substantial contributions that demonstrate your mastery of the readings. If you are not earning full points for discussions, then be sure to review the Instructor comments and the grading rubric.Remember: a Literature class IS Reading and Discussion...there are no "right" answers to these questions!GENERAL NOTE: remember...Discussions are informal, personal responses based on your own reading of a textDo not "research"websites or repeat the editor's comments or copy/paste from any outside source: use your own brainA Literature class IS Reading and Discussion...there are no "right" answers to these questions! Discussion #6 PromptsDiscussion Question #1Emerson and Self-RelianceEmerson is the central philosophic voice of the Transcendental Period. As well, he was a leader of the Abolition Movement, and his anti-slavery speeches rival those of Frederick Douglass for power and reasoning. He is also an academic, a social critique, and a teacher of what we would today call "middle school," He is not so well know for his poetry, but he is well known and respected as an essayist and philosopher. Before reading Emerson, you should first of all read the Glossary Entry for APHORISM. While reading, you should try to read his essay more like you would poetry, for he does not write the organized modern academic essay. Rather he writes an evolution of hortatory style: he states an aphorism, then explores it and gives variations of it for a paragraph, and then moves on to his next point. Don't try to make "logical" sense of his writing: it is directed at your soul, your intuitive recognition of truth when you hear it spoken. Emerson writes by speaking the total Human truth and relies upon the readers' inner affirmations to convince them. In a sense, he is arguing USING the Transcendental belief in the individual human being's ability to know "truth" intuitively. He does not try to "prove" his argument: he speaks what he believes to be true, and expects you to agree as far as you are able.Many students initially believe that the Transcendental reliance on individual truth means that truth is "whatever you want it to be." But this isn't so. Rather, Emerson would say that Truth is Universal, and is the same for all people because ALL truth comes from the same source: The Deity, the "Oversoul." But, like human life, each person must see that truth for themselves, only in this way can things really be "true." Now before you think that's crazy, this is exactly the same process by which Science forms consensus. Like Science, the individual person must see that something is true for themselves for it to BE true, to be persuaded. He or she must view the evidence, think it through scientifically, and come to their own conclusion. In Science, consensus forms as individual scientists and thinkers come to the same conclusion individually and independently. Nothing in Science is true because another says it is true: truth is always dependent on the individual apprehending it for themselves.BOTH of these systems of truth rely upon the individual thinker viewing claims independently and coming to their own conclusion and respecting differences of opinion (well, at least Transcendentalism does). This is called the Democratic Nature of Science, and it works exactly the same in Transcendental thinking.Questions:Contribute an aphorism from "Self-Reliance" that you really respond to...quote it, tell us the page number, and explain what you think it means.What causes Evil according to the Transcendental philosophy?What problems do you see with Transcendentalism? What do you think of the overall argument?In what ways can we see Transcendentalism in relation to, or as a continuation of, the metaphor of "The City on a Hill."Transcendentalism is the first (and only) truly American philosophy: it evolves here, and it explores the relationship of the individual to society, to each other, and to government. What parts of the Transcendental argument do you think reflect the unique attitudes and culture of America?Many readers are inspired by this essay; some want to argue with it, some find it very profound. Some readers think it is confusing and nonsensical. What is your reaction to it? Explain.Discussion Question #2Thoreau and "Civil Disobedience"Thoreau is sometimes called "America's Hermit" because his greatest contribution to American life today is his philosophic-autobiographic book, "Walden." In this book, he builds himself a small home in the woods, and lives alone, utterly self-sufficiently, for some years. His book, chronicles his ideal contemplations of Nature, Natural man, Democracy, and Freedom. It is without doubt one of the most important books for any American to read, no matter what politics or color or belief: it is a book that all readers find universally profound and inspiring, even if they disagree with it.Our text is also incredibly influential, and applies the Transcendental philosophy to problem of living in a Democracy, considering the limits of government upon a free human being. And he outlines how the individual opposes government when government intrudes upon the domain of individual natural liberty and freedom. This essay presents the strategy that today we call "Civil Disobedience." This is the strategy employed by Ghandi, by Martin Luther King, Jr., and by Nelson Mandela to oppose their unjust governments through non-violent protests and non-participation. In this light, we can see this essay as (after the declaration of Independence) the most important written document in American political history.Here are some questions to explore and reply to ...We know this essay by the title "Civil Disobedience," but what is the full title? After reading the essay: which is the better title? Why?Let's outline the argument Thoreau presents in 'Civil Disobedience." What is his idea?What caused him to write this essay? What experience from his life and citizenship prompted him to address the "limits of government?" Why does he argue that the best government is the one that governs "least"?What is the last question Thoreau asks in the essay? What is significant about this question?In what ways is this essay an expression of Transcendental philosophy? Explain the elements of his argument that demonstrate Transcendental thinking.What do you think of this essay, personally? What contemporary political events reflect Thoreau's theory of disobedience?Discussion Question #3Margaret FullerFuller is influential in beginning the "women's movement" in America, and here produces the foundational American argument for the independence of women in modern society. Her influence over the next century (and more!) can't underestimated.Fuller was an active member of the Transcendental society centered around Concord Massachusetts. Here the group collaborated to produce the influential Transcendental publication, "The Dial." For a few years, Fuller and Emerson were co-editors of "The Dial." This essay first appeared in The Dial in 1842, and later she expanded it into a book, titled "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," which is a foundational feminist text that exerted great influence in the later Suffragate Movement.She also led an exciting and "Romantic" life. She became a foreign correspondent to Italy, joined the Italian revolution, fell in love with and married an Italian nobleman, and drowned in a shipwreck off Fire Island, NY within sight of land. Here are some questions to explore and reply to...What is Fuller's argument: what are the parts of it? Let's see is we can summarize her main points here. How is this argument connected to, or part of, Transcendentalism? In what ways does Fuller argue for women "transcendentally"?Where do Emerson and Fuller argue similarly? What basic points do they agree upon? Why does Fuller choose to present her argument as a "lawsuit"? What does this mode of argument imply about how she views "progress" in American society?We've now read a number of works by women in the American tradition, and in Fuller we have a woman who is a "philosopher." Think about the array of women's voices and writings we've encountered this semester: what general observations can you make? What have you seen, if anything, that you hadn't seen or known before?What do you think of Fuller's argument? Explain your personal response.Discussion Question #4Hawthorne and the American StoryUnlike Poe, most of Hawthorne's works are set in America. Moreso, they are set within the historical context of early American history and are clearly part of the American Romance movement. Hawthorne himself is a descendant of Puritans, and his own grandfather participated in the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Because of this deep Puritan connection, many of Hawthorne's works are concerned with themes of Good/Evil, Sin, Innocence and Guilt, Forgiveness, and other Christian themes along these lines. It is easy to see how Hawthorne's works are deeply influenced by his family connection to this group and world view.Hawthorne is part of the Transcendental Movement as well, and his works tend to be, in part, Transcendental arguments for resolving the issues and themes he writes about. Be on the look out for his use of ALLEGORY (check the Glossary: both stories in our syllabus employ allegory). Remember, allegory exists on multiple levels of meaning simultaneously: there is the LITERAL story of Young Goodman Brown, and then there is the SYMBOLIC story of Young Goodman Brown: both are true and both exist at the same time in the text. In this story, for instance, Hawthorne uses the beliefs of the Puritans symbolically, like a mythology. If you interpret the story THROUGH that symbology, it tells a second story... a symbolic story.Here are some questions to explore and reply to ...Explain the different stories in Young Goodman Brown: the Literal and the Symbolic.Who or what does Brown symbolize?What is the climax of Young Goodman Brown? Why do you think so?What are the Transcendental arguments in YGB: why does Brown live his life in "gloom" until he dies? Did this really happen to Brown? or, was it all a Dream? make an argument...The Birth-Mark is also an allegorical story: explain the two levels of meaning in this story.Who or what does Aylmer symbolize in the story the Birth-Mark?What is the climax of The Birth-Mark? Why do you think so?What is the Transcendental argument in the Birth-Mark?Which of these two stories did you enjoy more? explain your reaction.Part 2 Module 6: Challenge Task #6Start Assignment Points 10 Submitting a file uploadDirectionsFirst, read the definition of Aphorism in the glossary, and then select an aphorism from one of the texts assigned for Module 6.Beginning with a signal phrase, quote the aphorism, and include a correct in-text citation. Following that, explain the aphorism, and then explain why you thought it was interesting.Your response should be about 3-5 sentences.You must complete Challenge Task #6 by the end of Module 6.RubricChallenge Task RubricChallenge Task RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Basic Writing3 to >0.0 ptsRange0 ptsNo Marks3 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Documentation3 to >0.0 ptsRange0 ptsNo Marks3 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Content4 to >0.0 ptsRange0 ptsNo Marks4 ptsTotal Points: 10Part 3 Module 6: Writing Assignment #6Start Assignment Points 20 Submitting a file uploadDirectionsFor this assignment, explain the basic Transcendental belief in "intuitive knowledge of Truth," and explain how this idea is applied to the question of individual citizenship in a Democracy.Your writing should have two parts.One part should discuss the nature of Truth from a Transcendentalist perspective. In this philosophy, where does Truth come from? How do humans recognize Truth?One part should explain how the above view of Truth relates to individual citizenship and participation in a Democratic society. How will a person who follows internal truth act in society? How does this ultimately affect society, if at all?Your writing should be about 350 or so words in length. Remember to follow MLA format, clean up and organize your writing, and cite your evidence using MLA in-text style.This is DUE by the end of Module 6. (As always, consult the Course Calendar for specific dates.)Please compose your work in WORD and click "Submit Assignment" when you are ready.Check out the Writing Assignment Rubric below for further guidance.Writing Assignment RubricThe goal of the Writing Assignment is to practice and improve Academic Writing for future classesEach Writing assignment should be no more than 2-4 paragraphs, depending on the promptYou should:identify the "critical task"The "critical task" is the intellectual work you are required to do (analyze, summarize, compare, etc)organize your answer to reply to the command in the promptexecute your answer with precision and controlThese are intended to challenge you to write your best, so I am rigorous and require you to pay close attention to your writing. It may seem like I'm too hard (at first), but if you stick with it, you will be very happy with your writing at the end of the class. THESE ARE NOT ESSAYS OR PERSONAL RESPONSES!Each Writing Assignment is worth 0-20 ptsEach Writing Assignment will be measured against the three Standards shown below.Standard #1: Writing and Organization0-5 ptsStandard #2:Critical Content0-10 ptsStandard #3: MLA Documentation0-5 ptsCorrect EnglishAppropriate paragraphs and organizationCorrect MLA formatAppropriately responds to the prompt; does the critical taskDemonstrates knowledge of readings and class discussionDemonstrates independent thinking Correct use of quotation marksCorrect use of in-text citationsCorrect works citedAppropriate integration of evidence from the readingsRubricWriting Assignment RubricWriting Assignment RubricCriteriaRatingsPtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Writing and Organization5 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Critical Content10 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks10 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome MLA5 to >0.0 ptsFull Marks0 ptsNo Marks5 ptsTotal Points: 20