The internet allows activists to collectively create a multifaceted web presence for a cause. People come together through Twitter, blogs, websites, and more to connect, learn, argue, and advocate for their beliefs.
For this “Creation,” you will explore the activist blogosphere and select a niche that you find interesting. For example, you could find a blogoshpere for feminism, environmentalism, or anti-racism. Or, you could find one related to preventing violence against women, raising consciousness about the Arctic 30, or tackling stereotypes about Asian-Americans. You can choose whether you would like to monitor a large, small, new, or established blogosphere. We will talk in class about strategies for finding and engaging in these online conversations.
Throughout the semester, we will have “checkpoints” at which you will start to narrow down the scope of your blogosphere (see notes on syllabus for dates). We’ll share what we’re learning with each other at these points. Each of you might engage differently with your blogosphere–some might choose to participate in online conversations, while others might want to focus on organizing and inwardly processing the information. At the end of the semester, you’ll write a final reflection about your experience with an activist blogosphere. Once we start this Creation (Week 3), make sure you create time to monitor your blogosphere regularly throughout the semester. Hopefully, you’ll find ways to make this a natural part of your routine–that’s one of the best strategies for engaging in a blogosphere.