Environmental Ethicists,
This blog is a space of freedom - a space for exploring ideas outside the confines of the academic essay - a space to try out arguments, challenge one another, figure out what you really believe, ask a lot of questions. And it is a public space. This blog is visible to search engines, open to readers anywhere on the web. Your parents, say. Future employers.
This probably suffices to say everything I need to say about decorum.
You must post once per week - either on Monday (about the readings to be discussed on Tuesday) or on Wednesday (about the readings to be discussed on Thursday. These posts are meant in part to function as preparation for discussion , and in part to help me get a sense of what to focus on the next day, so your entries should demonstrate real engagement with assigned readings and should be posted by 5 pm on the day before those readings are scheduled to be discussed. You are encouraged to link to other reputable sources that have a bearing on your post. Use discretion; avoid pontificating; aim to enrich and elevate. Your entry can consist of a comment on another student's post - for example, if you want to take a stab at answering his or her questions about or challenges to the reading.
I've continued to use the same blog for each of my Environmental Ethics classes at DePauw, although I'm not perfectly sure why. It saves me from having to recreate a blog for each new class, yes, but I also appreciate the way the body of voices thinking about environmental ethics grows from year to year, and the expanding archive of links from students' posts to then-current environmental affairs. You are welcome to scroll back and see posts from students in previous semesters. Know that the assignment has shifted a little each semester and will no doubt continue to do so.
Consult the syllabus for questions about grading.
