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River Sutra Sunday

Sunday Question

"...beauty was a passing thing and love beyond attainment." (page 165)

Describe the significance of this quote regarding the different stories within the book.   How is this an ironic statement regarding the woman and her missing daughter?

Saturday Question

Mr. Chagla explains to the narrator that, "The Goddess is just the principle of life." (pg 142).   Discuss how this principle is the sutra of the book.  

Quiz Question Friday

Desire plays a large role within the different stories.   What is Gita Mehta trying to show us through these different relationships?

Born Into Brothels- Honors Movie Viewing

Option 1:  Choose one or more of these questions to answer: 

1.        If life in the brothels is all the children have ever known, then how do they know that it is not how they want to live? If it has become the norm, then how do they know that it is not normal for a child to grow up in that environment? Are we born with an internal human rights’ radar? Is awareness of human rights a part of human nature?

2. Considering its Western audience, what do you think is the “message” here? What, if anything, do you think the filmmakers want us to do, based on what we see here?

3.       We can all agree that one of the most shocking scenes of the film is when we see the mother using profanity towards her own child and the other residents of the brothel.  Why do you think it was included in the film?  What effect did this scene have on you? 

Option 2

Respond to this Canadian student’s blog by leaving her a comment in the comment box. 

http://ashleyphotography18.blogspot.com/2012/10/born-into-brothels-questions.html

Honor's Opportunity-Homework makes me better than you?

Louis Menand states, "Americans have an egalitarian approach to inequality: they want everyone to have an equal chance to become better-off than everyone else."    Do you agree with this statement?  Do you think that we are given equal chances to succeed?   RESPOND AT  THE NEW YORKER  and NOT HERE!   Click on the pic to go there.

Click on the pic to go to the site and comment at the New Yorker

What Would You Do to Survive?

Is ethical decision making possible when one must make choices based on survival? Do seemingly “bad” choices make a person bad?  Provide and discuss situations where ethical decision making occurs.  What would be your response?  Be sure to address and discuss at least two other people's point of view.

VIDEOS-  Here is a list of videos that we used in class.   There are some here that not all classes seen so take a look! 

Syria

Jon Green the VLOGBrother 
4 minutes of Why Syria is Important

PBS Fontline Syria 

Viewer discretion is advised!  

China

Matt Lauer and the growth of China
     

The Rise of China Pt1 from BBC


The Rise of China Pt2 from BBC


The Rise of China Pt3 from BBC


Is China Good for Africa?

Arab Spring 

How the Arab Spring Began

Time Unveils Person of the Year 

That Attitudes that Sparked the Arab Spring

UN Looks to Maintain Democracy from Arab Spring

Freedom Rising- Inside the Egyptian Revolution

Hi!
This blog is for those of you who have chosen to do the "Gender" final exhibition. This post is for you to complete to task of participating in a Socratic discussion. Here is what I am looking for:

I would like for you to state your position (is Achebe raising awareness on women in Africa, or is the "gender" lens something we as Americans read this book with because the gender debate is so prevalent in our society?), and report some of your research. What is your overall opinion? Then, respond to AT LEAST two of your fellow students' posts.

The idea is to see what each of you has gotten from your research, and to see how multiple perspectives of the book can prescribe different outcomes from what the book's overall message is... or is not.

This is due the day before Thanksgiving... Happy blogging!

Any questions? claire.e.banfield@gmail.com OR cbanfield@sprise.com

Things Fall Apart- Discussion for Absentees

 

Hi, guys!
So here is the prompt for your graded discussion, for those of you who did not take part in or were absent when the graded small group discussions took place. Here is what we're looking for:
A- Respond to the prompt. Use quotes or instances from the book to support your thoughts on the subject. Make any connections you can or just talk about your own experiences and thoughts. It helps to end your post in a question, so that those reading can have something to directly responding to instead of just saying, "I agree" or "I disagree".
B- Respond to AT LEAST two other students' postings. Don't just write, "Yeah, bro, I agree," say WHY you agree, or bring up a whole new position on a subject. The possibilities are endless!!!

The discussion will be closed on the day before Tahnksgiving break (so Tuesday, November 20).

Below is the question............. good luck!

We see in these chapters many changes, and we see that Okonkwo “deeply grieves” for his tribe and kinsmen due to the White Man’s appearance. We see here the different perspectives- we see the tribesmen who are still clinging to their beliefs and their Gods, such as Okonkwo, and we have the White Man who is coming in to “settle” the land, bringing with them new ideology and government. Consider what the White Man perhaps has to offer Okonwko’s tribe: new medicine, a new form of government, et cetera. Also consider the perspective of Okonkwo’s tribesmen: this is their home where tradition means everything. Does the “white man” have authority in Okonkwo’s tribe? Consider other times man has tried (and perhaps succeeded…) in taking over land. Is this something that is a privilege for the more powerful, or is it a degradation of the victims?

Here's a list of sources for your JRP

Syria

Civil War or No?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/09/assad-no-civil-war-in-syria-and-army-can-crush-rebels-within-weeks-if-flow-arms/

Background information and a good starting point:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703856

Syrian Rebel forces issues

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21566007-can-syrias-fractious-opposition-be-melded-one-get-your-act-together-or-we

Current Syrian Update as of November 9th

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/09/report-71-syrian-soldiers-including-2-generals-and-11-colonels-defect-to-turkey/?intcmp=obinsite

China's Four Point Plan for Syria

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/09/china-takes-tentative-steps-toward-greater-role-in-world-diplomacy-with-syria/

China

Xi Jinping-China's New President has to make changes

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21565210-xi-jinping-will-a-be-named-china’s-next-president-he-must-be-ready-break

Overview of China

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13017877

China is predicted to take over US Economy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/09/china-overtake-us-four-years-oecd

Cooling of Chinese Inflation

http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/11/09/china-inflation-cools-leaving-scope-for-policy-easing/

Arab Spring

Will the Arab Spring lead to long lasting democracy?

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2012_spring_bpea_papers/2012_spring_BPEA_chaney.pdf

Will the Arab Spring establish democracy?

http://www.mehrnews.com/en/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=1512881

How to rebuild Democracy

http://www.ted.com/talks/rory_stewart_how_to_rebuild_democracy.html

Arab Spring and Current Political Policy

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/us/politics/arab-spring-proves-a-harsh-test-for-obamas-diplomatic-skill.html?pagewanted=all

Arab Spring and Current US Political Policy

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/11/08/will-middle-east-derail-obamas-agenda/

Meet the Boko Haram, Nigeria's Taliban.

This article appeared recently in the Washington Times.  After you are done reading the article, please respond to the following question:  Do you think that we should be involved in Africa's affairs and seeking out terrorists?   Should America be global police?  

  

"Searching for Sugarman" and Destroying Apartheid

"Searching for Sugarman" and Destroying Apartheid

First, watch this video on Apartheid in South Africa 

Then, read this article of Rodriguez



How does perception play into Rodriguez's lack of success in America?   How does perception play into the role of music and the culture surrounding a specific genre?   Is this a good thing?

Ory Okolloh Tell Ted Listeners about the "Country" of Africa

Ory has a fascinating story of triumph and vision.   Listen to her message.  Do you think this is an accurate perception?   Which of her points on improving Africa's perception are most important?  Ory Okolloh on becoming an activist         

Hemingway: One Tough and Terse Author

Hemingway is wondering if he can have his boat back hat the Cuban government commandeered from him.   

Hemingway in his amateur boxing and university years

Ernest say, "Knock you out!"  

 Ernest Hemingway inspired Albert Camus' writing style and theory of existentialism.   Read this short story and respond highlighting areas where you see existentialism in Hemingway's work. Compare the writing styles of Camus and Hemingway.   Do you see similarities?  Which style do you prefer?   Which one do you think is harder to write like?

Quote the story, answer all the questions and be sure to respond and mention someone else's comments. 

This is your Brain. Is Adolescent Risk Taking Existential Absurdity?

Sara-Jayne Blakemore discusses a dark and twisted place; the adolescent brain.   As you watch this TED talk,  defend whether or not adolescent impulsiveness and risk taking is Camus' definition of absurdity.  Be sure to take a stand, quote Sara Jayne-Blakemore and one other student.    

The Problems with 'Stop Kony' - Global - The Atlantic Wire

The Atlantic Wire Here is a good article sent by John Ranta The Problems with 'Stop Kony' - Global - The Atlantic Wire.  This article discusses the financial breakdown of Invisible Children.   Check the math.   Is this a reputable charity?  

The African Billionaire-Mo Ibrahim-Philanthropist or Philanthropic Foible?

This editorial from Forbes discusses Mo Ibrahim and his foundation dedicated to ending politcal corruption in Africa.   The author,Mfonobong Nsehe,  doesn't think his idea will work.   What do you think?   Do you agree or disagree with the author and why?

Kony 2012!

Take a moment and watch this video.   Is this something that we should get involved with?  What do you think?

Rawandan Genocide Happening in our Backyard

"Before Beatrice Munyenyezi came to the United States, 
gained citizenship and raised her three daughters in 
Manchester, she picked victims to be slaughtered at a roadblock she worked during the Rwandan genocide, according to federal prosecutors"- Concord Monitor February 24, 2012.     This is the article.   Do some research and link other stories of what Beatrice has done and develop questions for discussion and action....

Apple Releases Factory Inspections

I know,  there are two Apple stories this week.  I am a fan of the technology and this is just serendipitous of our discussions from last week.  Apple released it's suppliers and review of their facilities a few days ago.  Please take a look at the information.  What do you think of the numbers and Apple's responsibility level?  Please quote the heck out of this PDF.  Here is a brief overview of the report from Tomsguide. 

A form of sustainability in Ghana

Some of the people who have been helped by AfriKids outside a traditionally painted home  Photo: Georgie Fienberg

Telegraph U.K.:   An interesting form of sustainability in Ghana.   A good article that looks at ways of helping a nation.   Check out the Afrikids website to learn more.  After looking at the AfriKids website, what makes this a good program?  

CIA Assassination? Or Iranian Propaganda?

photo from the daily beast 

Associate Press :   Iran has made allegations that the US was behind an assassination of an atomic scientist.   Do you think that we had a role in this?   If so, do you think that this is the new type of "warfare" that Obama has been discussing?  If not, why do you think Iran would blame this on the US?

Apple Causes Some Unrest in China (and not the cool kind)

L.A. Times:  Read about the opening of China's first flagship Apple store.  Do you think this is a marketing strategy?   What would be the reason for Apple to do this?   

Should Obama sell Arms to Bahrain?

picture from The Guardian.uk 

In this interesting New York Times opinion page,  Nicholas Kristof discusses the role America plays in arming countries with guns.   Should we be arming a government that is repressing its people?  What should we be doing?  

This American Life takes us on a journey to the land of Shenzhen.   The place where our Chinese visitors came from earlier in the year.   See how your ipod is made.  What is your opinion on the matter?   Do you think that we should be buying these devices under these working conditions?  Warning:  PG-13.  Words are bleeped out.   Listen to the first part and you can probably skip ahead through the first ten minutes.   Thanks to Jeanne Sturges for sharing this radio piece!  

Strait Hormuz- Is This Where our military is heading?

Bloomberg:   In this article, Iran is discussed as to their next move regarding what will happen if economic embargoes are imposed upon them.   Do you think it is in our national interest to become involved in this?   

Building Up in South Asia and building down in Iraq

Al Jezeera:   Obama has announced a restructuring of the military and the refocusing of forces towards the Southeast Asia.   What are the Obama Administration's interests in this new region and do you think that a cutback in military spending will spark our domestic economy?  

Fighting the Power and the Person of the Year

From Time:   Time has decided to name "the protester" as their person of the year.   Do you think that they are justified in choosing a more thematic choice over people such as Kate Middleton, Ai Wei Wei, of the General who lead the attack on the Bin Laden compound?   Do you think that these protests from around the world are a sign of the times and do you agree with them?   What do think of the Western Occupy protests versus the Arab Spring Protests?   Do you think as western societies we have the right to protest for these changes in the re-distribution of wealth?  

Why is Teemu So Darn Smart?

                                                   This is Teemu in his traditional Fin Garb



From the Atlantic:  Finland's Education System is remarkably different from our own.   Why?   What do you see to  be the major differences?   Do you think that Souhegan is a prime example of a school without equity?   What are your view points?

Nuclear threats and Iran; Oh Boy.

CNN:   This article discusses the launching of nuclear missiles by Iran.   What do you think the course of action should be for the United States?  Do you think that it is our role to intervene if a nation wants to pursue nuclear capabilities?