Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Apostrophes and Opposing Viewpoints

We'll start with this: http://www.apostropheabuse.com/
Why do we use apostrophes?

What ARE the rules? 
  1. The dogs ears were twitching.
  2. The dogs ears were twitching.
  3. The bus___ doors were open.
  4. The bus___ doors were open.
 Take notes! Practice: Click here. Number 1-20 in your daybook and record your answers (the word with or without the apostrophe and the noun after it, if it exists). Make corrections if needed.

Now, to help with your internet wanderings, the SCC library has a resource called "Opposing Viewpoints" where information has been collected. Search terms matter: patent litigation vs. patent infringement lawsuit

You have some time to work on your web search.

Homework:

1. By class Friday you need to have narrowed the possibilities down to one or two problems that you could discuss in your paper. Possible areas: drugs patents, gene patents, patent trolls, music sharing, music licensing, fair use/abuse, enforcement by whom (Google, government, international enforcement), trademark abuse/enforcement, sampling, copyright length, enforcement, requirements. Does copyright promote or stifle creativity? Can business function without IP laws? How hard is it to GET a patent for small business? If you have one, does it protect your profits?

2. TWFTD:  infringement OED

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Summary/ Eval/ Response Due

Papers are due.

Thinkwrite:  Next to each word below explain how well you think you did meeting the assignment in that area. What are your strengths and weaknesses in each?

Summary:

Evaluation:

Response:

I hand out the next assignment sheet. You read it.

Learning about Intellectual Property:

https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_curtis_how_i_beat_a_patent_troll#t-44643

John Oliver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bxcc3SM_KA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk862BbjWx4 Forever

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/02/18/171896311/farmers-fight-with-monsanto-reaches-the-supreme-court

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R60dXiWdnsk From Russia Today

http://boingboing.net/2013/02/25/loaded-terms.html Power Hour

http://farmindustrynews.com/blog/social-buzz-hits-ag-company John Deere and software

Crash Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQOJgEA5e1k

Homework:

1. Be working on your forum post. The goal is to arrive at a statement of a problem and solutions. Find information (post links and commentary) that will contribute to your discussion of any part of the paper.

2. TWFTD:  your choice relating to intellectual property

Monday, May 11, 2015

Preventing Plagiarism Guilt

What  did the Roman who first used the term "plagiarism" have in mind?

 But what about this: http://questioncopyright.org/minute_memes   

Notice the web site: http://questioncopyright.org/about

Thinkwrite: Do you agree or disagree with this short? Explain.

But you "Always give credit where...."

How do we all do better than German former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg? Not only do you need to quote accurately, you must avoid this tricky problem:

Student paraphrase: He is scarcely able to hold a knife to a raw chicken, let alone someone’s throat.

Staples' essay:  As a softy who is scarcely able to take a knife to a raw chicken -- let alone hold one to a person' throat -- I was ....

How would you fix this situation? Many of you did refer to this statement in your paper.

Now we see what TurnItIn can do to help you check that you are citing your sources clearly.

You have time to do some final proofreading/editing and create your bibliography page using EasyBib.

Homework:

1. The Final Version of Summary/ Evaluation/ Response is due tomorrow. Bring ALL drafts/ comment sheets to turn in.

2. TWFTD:  to steal (VERB) in OED