“Sir,  I  exist!”:  An  Introduction  to  the  Magnanverse   Your  first  assignment  for  the  year  will  be  to  create  an  introduction  to  the  universe   that  is  this  classroom.   Consider  the  excerpt  of  the  “Space”  podcast  we  listened  to  in  class.  What  would  be   on  your  space  capsule?  How  would  you  tell  the  universe  you  exist?  What  do  you   want  to  say  and  never  unsay?  How  will  you  live  out  loud?   Your  project  may,  but  (does  not  have  to  be)  written.  If  you  choose  to  write  it,  do  not   simply  answer  the  above  questions  (although  that  is  a  great  way  to  start!);  your   piece  should  be  a  creative  narrative.  Instead  of  saying  “I’d  put  the  sound  of  pages   turning  from  my  grandfather’s  library  on  my  space  capsule,”  say,  “Pages  rustle  and   ice  clinks  in  a  glass.  The  warm  smell  of  old  books  and  leather  armchairs  gently   accompanies  the  orange  light.”  Create  a  scene,  assuming  your  time  capsule  can   contain  any  sensory  perception  you’d  like  to  include.  What  experiences  are  most   important  in  your  existence?  How  will  you  communicate  your  essence?   If  you  prefer  not  to  write,  you  may  also  create  a  narrated  multi-­‐media  piece  with   sounds  and  images,  or  a  podcast/audio  file,  but  this  must  be  completed   independently  (See  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-­‐hrBbczS9I0  for  a  very  brief   overview  on  podcasting,  or  just  bring  in  the  file  on  a  zip  drive  and  upload  it).  For   examples  of  the  latter,  check  out  the  “Space  Capsules”  podcast  on  the  course   webpage.  Your  creative  piece  may  not  simply  be  a  collection  of  sounds  and  images.   There  must  be  dialogue  and  explanation  included  that  tells  listeners  why  this  is   important  to  you.  Create  the  scene,  but  also  explain  its  relevance.   This  assignment  is  due  on  Tuesday,  September  6th  in  the  beginning  of  class.  It   will  be  worth  25  points,  awarded  as  follows:   Creativity/Effort:   10   This  does  not  mean  that  your  examples  must  be  unusual,  just  that  your  illustration   should  avoid  cliché  and  demonstrate  your  thought  and  genuine  experience.   Content:  

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Several  examples  (at  least  three)  should  be  described  and  relevance  clearly   explained  or  illustrated.  If  you  choose,  you  may  explain  the  relevance  of  your   selected  experiences  separately.   Style:   10   Voice  is  clear  and  consistent  throughout  the  piece.  I  should  be  able  to  follow  your   examples  and  descriptions.  Transitions  (whether  written  or  creatively  illustrated)   should  be  smooth,  without  jarring  errors.  Descriptions  should  be  rich.