to begin with, I apologize for giving you an assignment before we have even met.
I know this may come off as overkill or as me being overeager or mostly as the beginning of me asking more of you than you expected (or wanted). however, in addition to being a pain in your ass, know that the result of me thinking of you this far in advance will actually be to your benefit.
I've been thinking a lot lately about how I want to be tough on you. I want to push you beyond what you believe you are capable of. I consider my experience as a student often, and teachers that have made me happy and teachers that have made me angry are one thing. But teachers who have truly improved my work and my life...those are most often the teachers who have challenged and demanded and expected a lot from me. Therefore, be prepared for me to be rather demanding of you...because I am confident that you can produce, create, and overall be much more.
With that, here is your first assignment:
Within the next week, raise a critical brouhaha over a work of art we discuss in class. Remember to think critically...a passionate argument means little if it is not supported by thorough planning and carefully chosen evidence. You are encouraged to gather your support from the work itself, ideas discussed in class, as well as ideas and opinions from sources found elsewhere.
Your chosen evidence should inform and support your own arguments...do not simply present the arguments of others. Take a stance, make a statement, figure out what the hell a 'brouhaha' is and raise one.
