Black Plague Diary Entry:
Write two diary entries spanning a month that might have been written by a literate citizen of a town hard hit by the plague in 1348. Include the descriptions, observations, concerns, and attitudes that would likely have been reflected in such a diary.
Checklist:
· Description of symptoms
· Observations of human actions
· Concerns for health/family/town
· Attitude toward religion/God/death
· Prediction of cause/cure
· What do you see/hear/feel (emotions)/smell
You will be graded on:
· Language (what words would they use at the time?
· Description (can you picture it?)
· Checklist
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Current Event Week of 5/3
The African country of Ethiopia has often been associated with chronic famine, and many Ethiopians still depend on food aid to survive. But, more and more foreign investors are discovering that Ethiopia has abundant land rich for farming.
Many commercial farms have sprung up across Ethiopia that grow food destined for wealthier countries. While Ethiopians work on the large farms, they do not usually make a living wage and lack the technology to farm the land themselves. Many experts and Ethiopian government officials criticize the foreign farms because the benefits to ordinary Ethiopians are minimal. And, the large farms often run the smaller Ethiopian farms that do exist out of business.
Other experts see the situation in a positive light and view Africa as the next breadbasket for the world. They say that if the native Africans are treated properly and are able to benefit from their land's abundance, leasing African farmland to foreigners could become a win-win situation.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where is Ethiopia?
2. What is arable land? What qualities must good farmland have?
3. What parts of our country are known for their abundant farmland?
4. Do you think leasing Ethiopian farmland to foreign investors is a good or bad idea? Why?
5. Merera Gudina, the political science professor in the video, likens the Ethiopians' work on large farms to a "colonial arrangement." What does he mean by this?
6. What other resources does the African continent have? Take a look at diamonds in Botswana, oil in Nigeria, wine and agriculture in South Africa. How is farming in Ethiopia similar or different from those examples?
Many commercial farms have sprung up across Ethiopia that grow food destined for wealthier countries. While Ethiopians work on the large farms, they do not usually make a living wage and lack the technology to farm the land themselves. Many experts and Ethiopian government officials criticize the foreign farms because the benefits to ordinary Ethiopians are minimal. And, the large farms often run the smaller Ethiopian farms that do exist out of business.
Other experts see the situation in a positive light and view Africa as the next breadbasket for the world. They say that if the native Africans are treated properly and are able to benefit from their land's abundance, leasing African farmland to foreigners could become a win-win situation.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where is Ethiopia?
2. What is arable land? What qualities must good farmland have?
3. What parts of our country are known for their abundant farmland?
4. Do you think leasing Ethiopian farmland to foreign investors is a good or bad idea? Why?
5. Merera Gudina, the political science professor in the video, likens the Ethiopians' work on large farms to a "colonial arrangement." What does he mean by this?
6. What other resources does the African continent have? Take a look at diamonds in Botswana, oil in Nigeria, wine and agriculture in South Africa. How is farming in Ethiopia similar or different from those examples?
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Current Event WEek of 4/19
In a move protesting the Chinese government's Internet censorship, Google has moved its search engine for Chinese Web surfers offshore. Internet users who typed in the search engine's address are being redirected to one based in Hong Kong, where the government doesn't censor Web browsing.
Google's decision to pull out of China has prompted mixed reactions from Chinese citizens and government officials.
Some people placed flowers on the Google sign at its Beijing headquarters in a sign of mourning, and sympathetic bloggers spoke up for the American company. The Chinese government asserted its right to maintain the Internet according to the country's legislation and rules.
Google, which is only the third biggest Internet company in China's massive market, has agreed to voluntary limits on content since 2006. That included blocking searches for anything related to the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square, the exiled Dalai Lama, or the banned Falun Gong protest group. However, Google's stance changed in January after its e-mail service was targeted by hackers.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2010/03/google_pulls_out_of_china.html
1. What kind of government does China have?
2. What does Internet freedom mean?
3. What is censorship?
4. Do you think Google made the right move by pulling out of China? Why/why not?
5. What kinds of online content do you think the Chinese government wants to censor, and why?
6. Why did Google choose Hong Kong as the new base for its servers? How does Hong Kong differ from the rest of China?
7. How does this debate about Google in China reflect larger ideological disagreements between China and the U.S.? How do the two countries' governments and beliefs differ from one another?
Google's decision to pull out of China has prompted mixed reactions from Chinese citizens and government officials.
Some people placed flowers on the Google sign at its Beijing headquarters in a sign of mourning, and sympathetic bloggers spoke up for the American company. The Chinese government asserted its right to maintain the Internet according to the country's legislation and rules.
Google, which is only the third biggest Internet company in China's massive market, has agreed to voluntary limits on content since 2006. That included blocking searches for anything related to the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square, the exiled Dalai Lama, or the banned Falun Gong protest group. However, Google's stance changed in January after its e-mail service was targeted by hackers.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/video/blog/2010/03/google_pulls_out_of_china.html
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. What kind of government does China have?
2. What does Internet freedom mean?
3. What is censorship?
4. Do you think Google made the right move by pulling out of China? Why/why not?
5. What kinds of online content do you think the Chinese government wants to censor, and why?
6. Why did Google choose Hong Kong as the new base for its servers? How does Hong Kong differ from the rest of China?
7. How does this debate about Google in China reflect larger ideological disagreements between China and the U.S.? How do the two countries' governments and beliefs differ from one another?
Monday, March 1, 2010
More than 50 of Turkey's senior military officers were arrested this week amid allegations they planned to overthrow the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2003.
A few days later, a judge released two of the most prominent suspects, the former chiefs of the navy and the air force but many questions remain unanswered.
According to investigators, Operation Sledgehammer--as it was known-- included plans to bomb mosques and other civilian targets and to provoke a new crisis with Greece in an effort to sow enough instability to justify a military coup. Coups are common in the country, which lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Turkey's military has overthrown three governments in the last 50 years and it forced the country's first Islamist-led administration from power in 1997. Tensions have been building between the current military and the government ever since Prime Minister Erdogan's Islamic-leaning AKP party was elected in 2002.
As the army and government continue to work out their differences the fate of the Turkish democracy may rest in their hands.
1. Where is Turkey? Why is its geography important?
2. Why might there be tension between a country's government and its military?
3. What is a coup? Can you name any famous coups?
4. What did you learn about Turkey?
5. Do you think a similar plot could happen in the United States? Explain your answer with as detail as possible.
6. How does the United States deal with the separation of church and state? How is that different from other countries?
7. Can you imagine a time when a coup could be a good thing? Why?
A few days later, a judge released two of the most prominent suspects, the former chiefs of the navy and the air force but many questions remain unanswered.
According to investigators, Operation Sledgehammer--as it was known-- included plans to bomb mosques and other civilian targets and to provoke a new crisis with Greece in an effort to sow enough instability to justify a military coup. Coups are common in the country, which lies at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Turkey's military has overthrown three governments in the last 50 years and it forced the country's first Islamist-led administration from power in 1997. Tensions have been building between the current military and the government ever since Prime Minister Erdogan's Islamic-leaning AKP party was elected in 2002.
As the army and government continue to work out their differences the fate of the Turkish democracy may rest in their hands.
1. Where is Turkey? Why is its geography important?
2. Why might there be tension between a country's government and its military?
3. What is a coup? Can you name any famous coups?
4. What did you learn about Turkey?
5. Do you think a similar plot could happen in the United States? Explain your answer with as detail as possible.
6. How does the United States deal with the separation of church and state? How is that different from other countries?
7. Can you imagine a time when a coup could be a good thing? Why?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Current Event Week of 2/22
Read article here (read both pages)
Answer the following questions in your post:
Answer the following questions in your post:
- What kinds of sites has the Chinese government blocked access to?
- What sorts of tools do Chinese citizens use to circumvent the government’s digital blockades?
- What is Global Internet Freedom, what is the Falun Gong, and what is the connection between the two?
- How is the United States government getting involved in Internet freedom?
- How does the very structure of the Internet make it easier for citizens than government censors to accomplish their goals?
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s January 21, 2010 speech on Internet freedom: “Those who disrupt the free flow of information in our society or any other pose a threat to our economy, our government and our civil society. Countries or individuals that engage in cyber-attacks should face consequences and international condemnation.” Do you agree or disagree with Secretary Clinton? Why? What kinds of threats is she referring to? How, if at all, do you think the U.S. government should respond to the news about China’s actions with respect to Google?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Current Event Week of 2/16
Click through the photo essay and then answer the following questions in your post.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/photoscope/photoscope_conflict.html
1. How have children been affected my conflict in Africa? What examples can you give to support your opinions?
2. What are some of the lasting effects of conflict in Africa? (Hint: think landmines, children, families, cities, etc.)
3. How have locals tried to stop or fight back against armed conflict? Do you think these methods are effective? Why or why not?
4. What causes these armed conflicts? What evidence is there to support this?
5. How have Africans and the world tried to maintain peace? What more could the world be doing?
6. Would this conflict still exist if precious commodities like diamonds and metals did not exist as natural resources?
7. Is the Western world (like Europe and America) responsible for these conflicts? Why or why not? If so, how much responsibility do we have?
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/photoscope/photoscope_conflict.html
1. How have children been affected my conflict in Africa? What examples can you give to support your opinions?
2. What are some of the lasting effects of conflict in Africa? (Hint: think landmines, children, families, cities, etc.)
3. How have locals tried to stop or fight back against armed conflict? Do you think these methods are effective? Why or why not?
4. What causes these armed conflicts? What evidence is there to support this?
5. How have Africans and the world tried to maintain peace? What more could the world be doing?
6. Would this conflict still exist if precious commodities like diamonds and metals did not exist as natural resources?
7. Is the Western world (like Europe and America) responsible for these conflicts? Why or why not? If so, how much responsibility do we have?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Current Event week of 2/8
Use the following articles to answer the questions in your post.
Article !
Article 2
Article 3
Questions:
1. How is each country (Ghana and Nigeria) being affected by desertification? What evidence is there to prove this? (Be specific, answers should summarize the effects of desertification in about 3 - 5 sentences.)
2. How is each country trying to combat desertification OR how could they combat desertification? Define and describe specific strategies.
3. Do you think that the combat against desertification is the responsibility of individual countries, or the entire globe? Should other nations, for example the US, use it resources to help another country? Why or why not?
Article !
Article 2
Article 3
Questions:
1. How is each country (Ghana and Nigeria) being affected by desertification? What evidence is there to prove this? (Be specific, answers should summarize the effects of desertification in about 3 - 5 sentences.)
2. How is each country trying to combat desertification OR how could they combat desertification? Define and describe specific strategies.
3. Do you think that the combat against desertification is the responsibility of individual countries, or the entire globe? Should other nations, for example the US, use it resources to help another country? Why or why not?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Current Event Week of 1/25
Answer the following questions in your post.
1. A speech can be read, heard or watched. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods of delivery for a news audience?
2. What is the State of the Union address?
3. According to the program: What topic was a main focus of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address last night? How did Republicans respond to President Obama's speech?
4. If you had to write a State of the Union address, what topics, other than the economy, would you focus on, and why? What significance, if any, do you think that this speech might have on Barack Obama's presidency? Explain.
5. Did you watch the president's speech last night? If so, what was your impression of it?
6. According to the report: How has the city of Wilmington, Ohio been affected by the U.S. economic recession? What impact, if any, have federal stimulus funds had on the city recently? What does Wilmington's mayor say about how state and federal government has responded to his city's situation?
7. In your opinion, what role, if any, should federal, state and local governments play in helping areas that have fallen on hard economic times?
8. What was the Holocaust? What documents from the Holocaust are now on display in Israel?
9. In your opinion: What might be the significance of putting these documents on display? Why might some people not want these documents to be displayed?
10. What other ways can you think of in which artifacts from the past can be used as lessons for current and future generations?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Current Event week of 1/18
As relief efforts continue after Haiti's devastating earthquake last week, cell phone and text message donations have emerged as the next big thing in charitable giving.
In only six days, the American Red Cross has raised more than $21 million for the Haiti Relief effort through text message donations. Even first lady Michelle Obama is promoting it.
In this video, Tom Bearden reports on how cell phone technology is changing the way that people give.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where is Haiti? What is happening there?
2. Do you have a cell phone? How do you use it? What do you use it for?
3. Why do you think people like sending donations via text message?
4. Would you prefer to donate to Haiti this way? Why or why not?
5. What are the problems that arise with text message donations as discussed in the video?
6. What are some of the other kinds of 21st century technologies or social media networks that might help with the efforts in Haiti. How have sites like Facebook, YouTube or Twitter played a role in the disaster?
7. Have you, your classmates or your family members made contributions to the Haiti relief effort? What are some things that you can do to help?
8. Donating money is only the first step. What are some of the difficulties that can arise in terms of getting people in Haiti access to food, water, shelter and medical care?
In only six days, the American Red Cross has raised more than $21 million for the Haiti Relief effort through text message donations. Even first lady Michelle Obama is promoting it.
In this video, Tom Bearden reports on how cell phone technology is changing the way that people give.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where is Haiti? What is happening there?
2. Do you have a cell phone? How do you use it? What do you use it for?
3. Why do you think people like sending donations via text message?
4. Would you prefer to donate to Haiti this way? Why or why not?
5. What are the problems that arise with text message donations as discussed in the video?
6. What are some of the other kinds of 21st century technologies or social media networks that might help with the efforts in Haiti. How have sites like Facebook, YouTube or Twitter played a role in the disaster?
7. Have you, your classmates or your family members made contributions to the Haiti relief effort? What are some things that you can do to help?
8. Donating money is only the first step. What are some of the difficulties that can arise in terms of getting people in Haiti access to food, water, shelter and medical care?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Current Event Week of 1/11
Richard Proudfit's humanitarian organization, Kids Against Hunger will deliver 40 million meals to children in countries all over the world this year and next year they plan to double production to 80 million meals.
The group was started in the mid 1980s after Richard Proudfit volunteered in Honduras during Hurricane Fifi and saw the destruction it caused. Within a few years he had sold his profitable plastic business and was shipping food around the world to children.
In this the first of several reports on social entrepreneurship, NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro shows the entire food distribution process, from small-scale funding with volunteers around the United States, (mostly in churches and community groups), to using United States Coast Guard for shipping.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where are some of the areas of the world where people are hungry?
2. What is an entrepreneur?
3. What do you eat every day? How is it different from what these children eat? Who makes your food?
4.. Why did Richard Proudfit start this meal program? Does he get anything out of running this program? Do you think you would want to start a similar program?
5. Why is such widespread hunger absent in the United States but present in many other countries countries? What are some of the differences between the United States and Haiti?
6. How do you think the hunger problem in Haiti could be solved permanently?
The group was started in the mid 1980s after Richard Proudfit volunteered in Honduras during Hurricane Fifi and saw the destruction it caused. Within a few years he had sold his profitable plastic business and was shipping food around the world to children.
In this the first of several reports on social entrepreneurship, NewsHour correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro shows the entire food distribution process, from small-scale funding with volunteers around the United States, (mostly in churches and community groups), to using United States Coast Guard for shipping.
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Where are some of the areas of the world where people are hungry?
2. What is an entrepreneur?
3. What do you eat every day? How is it different from what these children eat? Who makes your food?
4.. Why did Richard Proudfit start this meal program? Does he get anything out of running this program? Do you think you would want to start a similar program?
5. Why is such widespread hunger absent in the United States but present in many other countries countries? What are some of the differences between the United States and Haiti?
6. How do you think the hunger problem in Haiti could be solved permanently?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Current Event Week of 1/14 - 1/8
Answer the following questions in your post:
1. Name some new technologies that you use now that did not exist ten years ago.
2. Imagine some new tech for the next 10 years. Identify and describe 2.
3. What do you think about Jaron Lanier saying that the internet should not be so free? Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. How has technology affected your life in the last 10 years?
5. Do you still think there is a digital divide? Use examples to explain your answer.
6. What will robots be doing 10 years from now?
7. What is the relationship between technology and ethics? Which technologies are good and which are bad? What forces drive the direction of new gadgets and inventions?
Due Friday 1/8 @ midnight
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