History of American Capitalisms

Today we again discussed reading and viewing not only for content (information) but also for technique (persuasion).  In other words, how does a text, image, or moving image lure you in, so that you find it surprisingly interesting?  Especially when you encounter something outside your interests which nevertheless manages to make you interested, you want to think about how it managed to inspire you — so that you, in turn, can think about and work on techniques that might make what is interesting and important to you, interesting and important to others.

1.  We considered this crucial challenge in light not of a text, as we have already done, but in light of a moving image — a preview of a new PBS documentary entitled “Riveted: The History of Jeans.”  So, what techniques does this preview use to try to make you interested in the topic?  Be sure to look out for techniques, not content.  How might any of those techniques help you make your own research topic more compelling to a reader?

2.  Start compiling your bibliography of secondary and primary sources, and indicate what you have in hand versus what you are still gathering.