Writing Across Cultures

Please read, interact, and complete your class notes for Japan. You may use any of this material for your portfolio or project. Notes are due today. Please also post your forum response to the Japanese stories (homework for those of you who skipped Tuesday).  Japanese News Traditional Japanese "Noh" Theater Hiroshi Kawasaki (poet) Japanese Pop Music Sumo: cultural pastime Japanese literature and history is divided into various periods (based largely on who was controlling the country): Nara Period (710-794 A.D. or C.E.) Japanese literature traces its beginnings from an oral tradition that later used a writing system introduced from China. Most of this literature from the eighth century was created as governmental projects. The Kojiki ( Record of Ancient Matters ) and Nihon shoki (Chronicle of Japan) are really an anthology of myths, legends, stories, and history (much like the Western Bible, but without the religious significance). The most brilliant l...

Haiku , as you probably know, is a short, closed form of poetry originating in Japan. It is traditionally a poem about nature (and our relationship to nature), as opposed to senryu which is a poem form specifically about human nature. In American translation of the poem form should be fewer than 17 syllables (often 10 words or fewer), and haiku avoids metaphor, personification, or other such poetic devices. Instead two ideas are balanced in harmony through juxtaposition. Haiku uses a seasonal or key word called kigo . Each season has its own kigo . Winter imagery, for example, often depicts grief, death, distance, and serenity. Take a look at some kigo and see if you can use it as a central image in your own haiku: Spring kigo : balmy night, departing spring, tranquility, vernal equinox, lengthening days, muddy road, melting snow, lingering snow, slush, thin mist, haze, moon, flood, Memorial Day, Easter, Passover, kite, balloon, wild geese returning, any baby animal...

Today in the lab, please take either the test on Forbidden City or Red Scarf Girl . After the test, while you are waiting for students to finish, please begin reading American Born Chinese , the "Monkey" section. Afterward, we will go to the library. You may return your books. Please pick up the short story collection. Read any 2 of the Japanese stories for homework, due next class. You will be posting on these stories on the forum for credit. In the lab, continue working on your projects. HOMEWORK: Read any 2 Japanese stories from the collection and post to the forum.

Please spend some time today in the lab to complete the following: 1. Respond to the forum prompt. Write a personal reflection based on the question posed to you on the forum. This is due by end of class today. 2.  Read the handout: the graphic novel from Shenzen by Guy Delisle and the poems by Mao. 3. Work on your project. Remember to record websites or books in your notes for your MLA style works cited page where appropriate. HOMEWORK: Your test on Red Scarf Girl or Forbidden City will occur on Tuesday, next week. If you have not finished reading your book, please do so this weekend. Otherwise, unless you're working on your project, there is no homework.

Today, while you are in the lab, please research and complete the notes for China. During 2nd period you will be filming something as creative writing majors for graduation. China Tour (video) Information about China This is China (promotional documentary) Government The Ka-Cing Dynasty (Documentary) CrossTalk: China's Century (economics documentary) Religion Confucianism (The Analects) Literature The Misty Poets ( Bei Dao ) Chinese American poet: Li-Young Lee ( "Eating Alone" ) Contemporary Chinese Poets Film: Sixth Generation Jackie Chan Jackie Chan from Mulan Theatre: Cao Yu (play Thunderstorm , adapted into the film Curse of the Golden Flower ) Contemporary Chinese Theater Artists Music: Harlem Yu Chinese Hip-Hop: Yin T'sang Don't Worry (hip hop video) Big Bird in China & Rubber Ducky Chinese food in America versus Chinese food in China HOMEWORK: Please complete your reading of Red Scarf Girl or Forbidden Cit...

Russia (basic information) : the US Department of State has information on World countries with statistics. This can be helpful for social studies courses. Compare US information with a site in the UK. Russian Culture Russian Revolution Soviet National Anthem News articles Russian Poets Russian Film: Night Watch (trailer) Architecture Sports Russian recipes By far, the most influential film maker of early Russian film was Sergei Eisenstein . Here's a few clips from some of his films: Oktober Alexander Nevsky (battle on the ice sequence) - Music by Sergei Prokofiev Ivan the Terrible Please read this article on the state of contemporary Russian Film . Then take a look at this clip. Top 20 Russian Film clips.

What is most important in standard fiction is not the PLOT or events of the story, but how these events or conflicts AFFECT a character (i.e., how the character reacts to a situation). In Daniil Kharms "Mini Stories" this is not the case. Instead, he is poking fun of the fictional form. Each mini-story is constructed like a joke, with a powerful punch line at the end. Characters, plot, and conflicts are simply there to create the illusion of importance, significance, and relevance that one expects from a standard story. In this way, Kharms is at once writing meta-fiction (fiction about fiction), but also commenting on the absurdity of human beings and the odd way our brains work. These stories are sprinkled with overstatement, understatement, hyperbole, incongruity, non-sequitars, and often: situational irony. We laugh because the cause and effect we have come to study in plot is illogical or missing. We laugh because characters we hardly know come to tragic ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKqw7VK9CYE

Today in the lab, please complete the following before 9:00: From the blog post (below), please select 3 articles from the Key Moments in German History. Read these articles and on the sheet to hand-in for participation credit, please list key points/facts you learned from the article. These notes may later be used to create a story, play, film, essay, or poem for your portfolio (PROJECT A). This kind of research experience will also be helpful to your projects B & C, as well as college and life. The second part of our class will be taken by Geva's presentation and workshop for the musical Company. For those students who are going and have not completed the medical forms for a field trip, please do so by Monday. HOMEWORK: Please continue reading your chosen book: Red Scarf Girl or Forbidden City . Begin working on your plans for your final project (portfolio, presentation, research, etc.)

In the lab, spend the first period watching the video clips on Italian film makers and Germany from the posts below. Read the following posts for important information. Pick up and begin reading one of two books: Forbidden City by William Bell  Red Scarf Girl by Ji Li Jiang During 2nd period, we will return to the room and read some fiction & poetry. HOMEWORK: Begin working on your project; begin reading a YA novel set in China.

Many of you have been complaining that there's no point in learning anything, and you certainly don't want to write any more. Alas, we have over a month left in school and we're not ready to simply sit around for the next 35 days. Senoritis is not real, but a state of mind. Remember that if you are planning on going to college to get a degree, you will be in an academic program like this one for the next 2-8 years. But I am going to give you options as to how you want to be graded for this next marking period. As this is a literature course, we will still be reading a fair amount. I will continue to test you on your reading, and score your participation in class as always. Attendance WILL count toward your final assessment. Please choose from one of three major end-year assessments: A. a writing portfolio or a writing project. Expectation: You will continue to research, gather ideas from your reading or discussions on the literature read in class, brainstorm idea...

Google is a nice, convenient search engine, but it doesn't cover the world as effectively as some sites. Try a new web engine: Altavista.com This search engine has a button for international topics. It may be a better way for you to find out information suitable for your writing research. Pop Culture articles (an example made of Germany): Article on German filmmaker and writer: Alexander Kluge Article on German filmmaker & auteur: Werner Herzog German Newspapers/News sites on line: (in English) German News Germany Info suitable for writer/research Bild The Local Info about Berlin Symphony of a Metropolis (formalistic German film) World War II propaganda films: These next clips are shocking at times, but they give a good sense of World War II. As you watch, comment on the forum about all of them, or selected ones. German National Anthem Joseph Goebbels Speech Herr Joseph Goebbels Goebbel Talk about German Culture 1936 German Olympics Leni...

Key moments in German History: The Reformation Absolutism Prussian Empire Bismarck Empire Immanuel Kant & Moral Philosophy Franco-Prussian War (Napolean) Franco-Prussian War (part II) Karl Marx Sigmund Freud First World War Weimar Germany Nazi Germany G erman Propaganda German Propaganda (part II) German Propaganda Images East/West Germany - a country torn in two The Fall of the Wall Images of the Wall Part of writing is discovering new things. Research often leads to new ideas and excitement. Use the website below as a background for your research during this unit. You may be surprised where it takes your writing and subject matter. The following website is a wonderful stating point for the uninitiated. It's filled with pictures and information about German History stretching all the way back to the medieval period. Peruse it as you see fit. You will no doubt learn a lot if you do. German History in Documents and Images . How to use this a...

Poland has a long and interesting cultural history. It is located in central Europe and shares many similar cultutral aspects as most modern European countries. What makes Poland unique? Its culture, its food, its contributing artists, scientists, and writers. Did you know that the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was Polish? Poland began to form into a recognizable unitary and territorial entity around the middle of the 10th century under the Piast dynasty. Later dynasties include the Jagiellon Dynasty which later led to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569-1795. The Polish people rebelled several times for independence near the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th. One of the most famous and successful attempts at securing renewed Polish independence took place in 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising. In 1807, Napoleon conquered and recreated the Duchy of Warsaw. Russia, Prussia, and Austria vied for control of Poland through the 19th century--and...

Today, after reading about the Italian Neo-Realists and taking a quick quiz on our reading, we will view some of the work of Italian filmmakers. Please watch the following clips and respond to the article/clips. Functionally: what is the cultural difference between American cinema and Italian cinema? Victorio De Sico The Bicycle Thief Umberto D . Umberto D. (ending clip) Michelangelo Antonioni (1912- 2007) • Blow Up (clip or trailer) • L'Eclipse • L’Avventura • Bergman speaks about Antonioni Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922 – 1975) • Pasolini the Filmmaker (part one; you can view the other two parts to this documentary on the sidebar) • Oedipus Rex • Salo Federico Fellini 8 1/2 Amarcord Satyricon Pietro Germi (1914 – 1974) • Divorce, Italian Style Horror Directors (you may pick any sample/trailers from these directors) CAUTION (graphic violence; type in these names and watch trailers on Youtube.com ): • Dario Argento (1940 - present) • Mario Bava (191...

A student film from Zach. Please watch if you get a chance.

After our viewing of The Seventh Seal , please gather in your reading groups for a few minutes and discuss the play you read. Please note that there is HOMEWORK below: With any time remaining, we will begin reading our Italian authors. HOMEWORK: Complete the reading of Italian authors for Monday. Expect a quiz on the reading. ALSO : Please write TWO responses on the forum. ONE on the film The Seventh Seal ; the OTHER on your chosen play: The Homecoming or The History Boys .