Homework
As we have learned, listening in a sociological way can be challenging, but has many benefits. If we wish to be agents of change, we must learn to listen to others mindfully. We practiced this in our discussion.
In the book Writing Without Teachers, Peter Elbow introduces the concept of the "believing" and "doubting" games--complementary methods of approaching texts which he claims are both vital to the "intellectual enterprise" (145). While listening to others or reading content online, many of us automatically play the 'doubting game.' That is, we approach the conversation looking for errors and contradictions. On the other side, the 'believing game' is the practice of going into a conversation with the plan to believe what is being said. We can always look for errors later, but for the time we are *listening* we are trying to believe what we are hearing, even if goes against what we think we know.
For this homework, we are going to practice what is called "The Believing Game." Remember, this means that we are going to approach what we read/hear as though these things are true. We are going to go into this without judgement or preconceived ideas as we learn more about food chain workers and related injustices.
First, read this list "Playing the Believing and Doubting Games" of 'ways to play the believing game.
Second, with that list in mind, watch the 4 minute video below entitled, "Voices of the Food Chain." This video is a project of the Food Chain Workers Alliance and Real Food Media to capture and share stories of the country's 20 million food workers in their own words.
Third, read this article entitled, "Things you don't know about fast food employees" By Justina Huddleston. Remember, we are playing the believing game. So go into it with the assumption that what you are reading is true. And 'reading,' according to our textbook author, can be a form of 'listening.
Lastly, answer the following questions in at least 4-5 sentences each.
o How did hearing the testimonies about food workers impact you?
o What stood out to you as the most unbelievable in the article or video?
o How does the experience of the food chain workers connect to our own experience?
o After hearing the narratives and reading the article, is there anything you would do differently when it comes to food workers?
o How could you benefit in your personal or professional life by 'playing the believing game' more often? (If you want more information on the academic nature of this 'game,' check out the citation below from Peter Elbow in 2008)
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.