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?