CHARACTER JOURNAL 2

GENERAL FORMAT INFORMATION: The character journal allows you to stretch your thinking about the issues covered in this course beyond simply “watching” each episode of The Wire. It is intended as an opportunity for you to relate what you are studying about urban sociology as you observe “real” depictions of them on the screen. This also serves as a useful tool for reflecting upon concepts and experiences related to the course.

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR JOURNAL ENTRIES: In general, your journal entry should have three parts:
(1) a record of what you have observed as unique about your character
(2) your response or reaction to them
(3) your assessment of the character’s significance to the storyline.

Your reaction could focus on relating what you saw to information from the course. Personal reactions in the journal are encouraged, but the central thrust of the response should be the relationship between what you saw the character do and the storyline that captures your attention. You do NOT have to talk about everything that happens in each episode.

HOW TO PROCESS OR TAKE NOTES: It is a good idea to take notes for your journal while you are watching each episode of The Wire. The best time to process is right after viewing that day, and then perhaps at any points after as you continue to think about your observations and readings.

LENGTH OF ENTRIES: There is no set or required length for each entry; the length should be determined by your observations and your processing of it. As you become more at ease with writing in your journal, length will become less important. You should have at least one entry for each time you watch an episode. This means you may add more entries if you watch the same episode several times as you may observe new things about your characters.

WHAT IS THE CHARACTER'S SIGNIFICANCE?: When writing about the character's significance to the storyline consider the role, purpose, and motivations of the characters you are studying in The Wire. These issues are essential when script writers develop the plot. This information is also essential to you especially as you become more critically aware of the issues and themes addressed in the show and how they impact on the decisions your character makes. Please discuss the way you see/feel/think about your character "right now." As you follow your character throughout season 2, your views on their role in the story, emotions, and motivations may change. Expect this to happen. Please do not fear answering each question “correctly.” There is no right or wrong response in your journals.