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Three-Part Journal Entries

The purpose of the three-part journal is to allows you to link the readings Nickel and Dimed and Soul of a Citizen to your classroom experiences and discussions. In addition, these journal entries will draw upon your life experiences and hopefully allow you to internally reflect on what you have read. The overall goal of these journal entries is three-fold: be objective, be personally aware and perform intellectual analysis.

You should write one journal entry after reading each section (introduction, chapter, etc…) of Nickel and Dimed and Soul of a Citizen.

You should write the three parts as follows:

• Normal Font: In this section you should relate to me what you have read. You should comment objectively on the material that the author relates in the book. Feel free to comment directly on any specific stories or events that are described in that chapter. Please do not simply “re-tell” the chapter to me; rather I want you to discuss the chapter as a whole.

• Bold Font: In this you should relate to me your reaction to what you have read. This section, unlike the first, is all about your thoughts and reactions to that chapter. Think about your reactions and attitudes toward the chapter; include your feelings, thoughts and judgments. Consider the following: What surprised or challenged you in the reading? Did the chapter/events stretch your thinking? Did the book cause any specific reaction in you (sadness, anger, disbelief, etc..)? Also, discuss ways in which the chapter has helped shape your understanding of our society and culture. Evaluate your role as it relates to the chapter: What could you do or we do to address any problems or issues in the chapter? What else needs to be done?

• Italics Font: In this section you should attempt to do two things. First you need to relate the events to American Government. How does government play a role in the events/issues in that chapter (or does it not play a role)? Did government fail to address the problem or did it alleviate the problem? How could government or government’s role work better to deal with the events of that chapter? Second, you need to try and apply the events of the chapter to government and society. What was government’s or society’s role in the chapter?

Last Updated 21 August 2008 by Derek Sutton