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Homework

Sophomores
Read the introduction to the Victorian Period in your textbook, and Honors students need to read and summarize the following by Friday: The Victorian Age (from the Norton Anthology of English Literature).

 Seniors

This week's topic is the positive and negatives regarding simulation -- as it relates to popular media, social networking, military training, the food and drug industry, concepts of beauty, and modern life in general. We are using Jean Baudrillard's theory as a starting point, and you are to focus in any way you'd like.

  • For TUESDAY, print and read the Baudrillard Introduction.
  • For WEDNESDAY, print and read a recent article on the topic of simulation, as it relates to some aspect of modern life.  
  • On FRIDAY, your paper will be in response to the following question:

Have we crossed over into Baudrillard's final stage of "simulacra," where "our models for the real have taken over the place of the real in postmodern society," or where the artificial has become preferable to the real? Or do we still value "authenticity" and "real" experience over the artificial?  What are the implications for human society, both positive and negative?


In the essay, you will refer to both Baudrillard's theory and at least one additional article of your choice.

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