Reflection Questions on the film, Promises (Due Monday, 9/30)

Please answer the following questions in complete sentences on binder paper.

1.  What happens to people when "normal" means being surrounded by war? (5+ sentences)
2.  Over the course of the film, how do the children change? (5+ sentences)
3.  What is the message of the film?  Overall, what is the film trying to teach us about peace-making? (5+ sentences)
4.  What kinds of circumstances do you think contribute to extremism on each side of the conflict? (5+ sentences)   (In other words, what kinds of things make people accept and adopt extremist points of view?)
Total = 20 points

Comparative Media Analysis: Gaza Flotilla Raid of 2010

Before attempting this assignment, familiarize yourself with the Gaza Flotilla Raid by viewing the following Associated Press video:   Gaza Flotilla Raid AP Coverage May 31, 2010

In this assignment, we are going to compare and contrast news media on the Israeli-Palestine conflict to try to find the persepctive and bias in each media outlet's reporting.  You will read three articles on the raid of a "Flotilla" of humanitarian aid attempting to break through the Israeli blockade of Gaza that happened on May 31, 2010.  Take notes describing how the articles are different.  Make one column for WAFA (The Palestinian News Agency), one column for Al Jazeera (the major news agency for the Arab world), and one column for The Jerusalem Post (Israeli news agency).

Your task:  As you read each article, briefly summarize the content of the article paying careful attention to whose perspective it appears to represent.  You will notice differences in the content as well as who is being interviewed.   After you summarize the content on your chart, please write two paragraphs summarizing your findings and discussing what you think really happened.

Here are the links to the three articles:
WAFA (The Palestinian State News Agency)
Al Jazeera (Arab News Agency)
Jerusalem Post (Israeli News Agency)

Article in Spanish

Journal #5: Walls Between People

Answer in one 8-10 sentence complete paragraph.
1.  What kinds of problems do you think are created when walls are put up separating ethnic groups, or groups of people with differing cultures/religions?
2.  WHY do you think a physical separation of peoples causes these problems?

Journal #4: Analyzing Tone: "Operation Blend In" and "Arab, American, Muslim, Marine"

In The Arab-American Handbook, read "Operation Blend in" by Maz Jobrani (pg. 145) and "Arab, American, Muslim....Marine" by Bill Bazzi (pg. 149).  For each of the readings, answer the following in paragraph form in your journal.

1.  What is the author's message in each of the essays?  How do know?  (USE QUOTES/PARAPHRASES)
2.  How would you describe the author's tone (attitude)?  How do you know?  (USE QUOTES/PARAPHRASES)

(10 points total, at least 2 paragraphs)

Israel-Palestine Conflict Vocabulary Powerpoint

Click here to download vocabulary Powerpoint.

Op-Ed Article: What Putin Has to Say to Americans

Today, an op-ed piece by Russian President Vladimir Putin was published in the New York Times about the conflict in Syria.  Given the cold relations between the United States and Russia in recent months, this is unprecedented.  Please read the op-ed piece by Putin, as well as two or three reader comments listed below the piece.

Write 2 paragraphs on binder paper discussing what aspects of his argument you found to be strong and what aspects of his argument you found to be weak.  Think about who his audience is and how that might impact his message.  Also think about what his motivation might be for writing this piece.  Finally, discuss what you learned from the comments below Putin's piece.  Were there points you agreed with or disagreed with?

Link to Article

Homework 9/11/13

1. Summarize your assigned section of the Timmerman article (“Odyssey of Food and Clothing”).  8-10 sentence paragraph

2. Following our game in class, please answer questions 1-5 on page 114 of Rethinking Globalization text in complete sentences on binder paper.

Journal #3: Military Intervention in Syria?

After viewing the "Overview of Conflict in Syria" Powerpoint, please complete the following in your journal:

Please write one paragraph (8-10 sentences) explaining your position.  Should the United States intervene in Syria’s Civil War?  Why or why not?

 

Film and Literary Analysis on Baraka

This week, you will view the film Baraka and compose a literary analysis essay.  You may download the essay requirements below:
Link to Baraka Essay