Writing Across Cultures

Continue reading Equus in class today. Analyze one character using the psychological theories and concepts we have covered so far in class. HOMEWORK: If we don't finish in class, please complete the play and analysis of 1 character to turn in when you return from break. Have a nice Holiday!

Peter Shaffer's  Equus Equus , like  Oedipus Rex , uses the motif of "eyes." As you read the play notice how the playwright uses this motif. You will likely find many examples of "seeing" or "eyes" or "vision." Try to find other motifs when you see them. Also, look for archetypes and psychological concepts. What should you do with this information? When examining a novel, poem, play or film, a certain image or line may repeat an idea, theme, object, etc. Taken together, this object, event, or idea becomes a motif and/or a symbol representing something larger than itself. As viewers or listeners we need to be aware that this is occurring so that we understand what the author intended -- it works the same way in visual art. A viewer must be able to decode the visual symbols the artist creates in order to understand the message or meaning of the work. As writers, we can utilize this technique to strengthen our writing. Try it by choosin...

What is happiness? Why can't we be happy? Why can't we be loved? Why can't we love others? This morning, please read Erich Fromm's theories about why our lives are filled with powerlessness and anxiety. How might we correct that and live fulfilling lives? Read and find out. Take notes on the graphic organizer. Fromm sets forth personality types: Receptive people Exploitative people Hoarding people Marketing people Necrophilious people Productive people Write a short 1-3 page dialogue (script, film, or fiction) today in the lab, choose 2-4 of the types from Fromm and "play that role" to build conflict in a scenario/scene. You may work with a partner if you'd like, alternating the writing of lines (consider using Google Docs).  During period 2, please read the article by Carl Rogers and Virginia Satir. Those of you thinking about social work, therapy, or other health related fields may be interested in this kind of psychotherapy.  With...

More Freudian Theory Here's a bit more information about  Freud's theories . Feel free to research this as much as you'd like. To learn more  about Freud  as a person and historical figure, click there. Mental Defenses Repression : When painful memories or anxiety or negative thoughts occur, repression is the process of pushing or keeping them out of the mind. Be aware a person is not AWARE of Repression, as it is a subconscious event. The goal in psychoanalysis is that these repressed memories or thoughts break through to the conscious level where they can be worked on and resolved. Suppression : Similar to repression, except that this is in the conscious mind. A person chooses not to think about a desire, wish, etc. instead of seeking for it. (Puts it out of the mind). We do this often when we want to change the subject of a conversation because its too difficult to bear, or if the topic makes us uncomfortable. Projection : when someone consciously experienc...

Previous key concepts/questions to consider... Sigmund Freud  (1856-1939) and a  video on him . Freud in a nutshell: Freud created "Freudian Psychology" (psychoanalysis): interpreting what people say and do in order to figure out what their root problems are. Freudian psychology is used by literary critics using psychoanalytical criticism. In order to use this type of criticism, you need a basic understanding of Freud's key concepts. Freud believed that psychological desires influence the forming of a personality. Theory of Unconscious : The part of the mind that thinks and feels without you being aware of these thoughts and feelings is called the UNCONSCIOUS. The UNCONSCIOUS is comprised of 3 sections: The Ego, the Id, and the Superego. 1. The Ego is the self 2. The Id is the animalistic or primitive side of the unconscious. 3. The Superego is the control Dreams are one way of communicating with the unconscious. They are coded messages mailed to you...

This morning, please watch the following video: Intro to Psychology . As you watch please take notes on key points in the video. What is psychology? The science and/or philosophy that attempts to understand human behavior and development.  Psychology studies environment, culture, how we think, learn, and remember; how we communicate, and how we differ from one another in personality and abilities. It often uses experimental and observational science to measure and observe behavior. It is not simply the study of mental illness, but a scientific approach to understand the human mind. Like philosophy, there are various branches of psychology where each type attempts to address questions or problems in a specific way. The major branches of psychology include: 1. Abnormal psychology : examines abnormal behavior and mental disorders. Counselors and clinical psychologists often study this branch of psychology. 2. Behavioral psychology (Behavioralism): popular in the early 20...

Indonesia Indonesia Geographic Challenge (video) Only in Indonesia (video) Indonesia news Indonesia & Java History/Culture (video, 23 minutes) Research: Indonesia & the Philippines Papua New Guinea Please read one (or more) of these articles, using anything found in them for ideas for stories, poems, plays, etc. Papua New Guinea: National Geographic Article Papua New Guinea: Witchcraft Papua New Guinea: Trail of Murder & Revenge From your notes and inspiration from poetry exercises, please use the time in the lab to research Indonesia, the Philipines, and Papua New Guinea. HOMEWORK: Begin reading your psychology novel. Write.

During period one, please use the time in the lab to work on your original writing. See posts below for inspiration concerning a story, poem, scene, play, essay, etc. set in or dealing with Australia and/or institutions. During period two, please return to 238 to read the short story "Descent" and begin reading the play The Sum of Us by David Stevens .  Please get into groups of 4-5 and begin reading the play The Sum of Us together. As you read, please complete the handout discussion questions with your group members names. Next class you will spend your time reading (and completing) this play and answering more discussion questions. NOTE: Thursday is our fall coffeehouse at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theater. HOMEWORK: None. Please bring your play scripts back with you to class on Thursday.

Use these resources and research ideas for stories, plays, poems, essays, articles, etc. Information about teenagers can be found here ... Read this article about Australian FAMILY here ... Government & Families (taxes/welfare information)... Family Facts & Figures Australian education system Australian parliament (government) Australia: popular children's names (great resource for character names!) Mira Jacobs (author)

Our coffeehouse is Nov. 20 at 7:00 in the Ensemble theater. We are now in Quarter 2. There will be a portfolio due this quarter and we'll increase the reading requirements. Toward this end then, please set a deadline of at least 1-2 pages of writing to be completed each week. If you set this deadline, you will find coming up with ideas not too difficult (although see my advice concerning issues with portfolios below). You will also want to make sure you have the time to workshop, revise, and edit your work! We have a masterclass this afternoon from 7-8 period. All students are excused from their 7-8 period classes. Please bring your notes/journals, a writing utensil, and questions about how to make it as an author or other author-type questions you'd like answered. Before we get to our main event today, please spend 5 minutes reflecting about your field trip. How is a college culture different or similar to a high school environment? Discuss with a partner, and jot down...

Going about the room, please summarize what you found out about your Australian research. What are the key or important points for us to consider regarding this culture and its institutions? After we share, please watch and respond to the film The War on Kids . As you view the film, please  list key issues  that the film attempts to present. How is the material presented to us? Is there a bias? What kinds of research/support are utilized by the filmmakers? As film, how is the film visually compelling or interesting? What kinds of shots, transitions, music, and/or special effects (like animation) are used in the film to underscore key points or arguments? What viewpoints are missing from the film? Why do you think the filmmakers presented their material in the order in which they did? Which interviewees are necessary/unnecessary or thought provoking? Furthermore, what changes in education still need to be made? What do you value in the public education you have received?...

Portfolios are due today. Before we tackle that, please take note of the following: We recognize six major social institutions that have been evident in some way in every civilization in history: government  religion  education the Arts  economics  family We will be focusing on education in the next few classes, but as you research (see below), please take notes how these institutions influence the country, history, and culture of Australia. Sign up on the research sheet and conduct this research to share with the class on Thursday. This morning we will start by reading some Australian fiction then retire to the lab to turn in portfolios and to work on this Cultural Research. Australia Waltzing Matilda (song) History of Australia  (animated satire) Australian Federation  (film clip)  General information:  Australia More information:  Australia Map of Australia Australian Education (Life as a Teenager) Australian Schoo...

This is a reprint from early September: I will be using the following rubric when assessing your portfolios. A portfolio is due each quarter and comprises the major part of your quarter grade (along with attendance, participation/homework, reading, quizzes/tests, presentations and class activities). 4 = Exemplary 3= Accomplished 2= Promising 1=Beginning 0=Failing Exemplary : Thoroughly and artistically developed characters, plot, structure, conflict, theme, and setting. Uses vivid description, effective diction and word choice, tone or voice, POV, imagery, and compelling dialogue throughout portfolio. Uses a variety of effective literary devices. Writing can be considered “art,” effectively communicating issues central to the human condition in a compelling way. Has few errors in spelling punctuation, syntax, and usage. Sentence structure and overall effect of the work is artistic. Format is carefully and correctly followed. Work includes evidence of several revised drafts that...

Please take the first 10-15 minutes to complete your discussion of the novel Jennifer Government . You may use the rest of the period to write drafts for your portfolio. Your portfolio is due Tuesday. Please remember to add a 1-2 page reflection on the writing you have completed this quarter. Not to distract you too much but here is a Halloween popular culture clip from the Simpsons: The Simpsons The Bennington Young Writers Contest is looking for non-fiction, fiction, and poetry (you probably have some) and the deadline is today! Check out this website and submit for x-tra credit! HOMEWORK: None. Prepare your portfolio to turn in next class.

After our quiz today on Jennifer Government , please gather in small groups of 5-6 to discuss the novel. While you are waiting for students to finish, please use the time in the lab to write drafts for your portfolio. HOMEWORK: None.

This morning, please regale the class with information about popular culture. Then, it's off to the lab to work on your upcoming portfolios! We will have a quiz and discussion on Jennifer Government next class. HOMEWORK: Complete Jennifer Government . Prepare your portfolio: due Tuesday, Nov. 4.

To start off, please take the first 5 minutes of class to read the article: "Snap! Crackle! Plot!" by Roy Rivenburg. After reading, please respond in writing. Then, let's take a look at some advertising techniques. As you watch the slide show, please take notes about advertising strategies.  Creative Advertising Techniques . Please make a list of things you'd like to buy if you were given a blank check and the sky was the limit. Now annotate the list with brief explanations for why you want each item. --How much of what we buy is who we are? --How does what we buy help us connect, compare, or create homogeneous groups (hegemonies). --America: why are we so greedy? --What's up with all this consumerism? Is capitalism to blame? Then check out the 2010 Oscar award winning animated short film:  Logorama . I think it captures the events in  Jennifer Government  pretty well. After viewing, let's respond. Jennifer Government : Please read  Jennifer Gov...

Pop culture in 2013 There is a difference between a fad and popular culture. Often objects, people, and events (or inventions) continue to influence our own culture from age to age or even from centuries in the past. Depending on your education level, your background, your own culture, and various other traditions or interests, some things never seem to really fade into obscurity, something likely to happen to a fad or a person who might be popular today. As a writer, it is important to familiarize yourself with some common popular cultural icons and consider why these things are still popular after all these years. We've touched on some items, but here are a whole host of others. In the lab, read these articles. Consider how familiar you are with them. Enjoy them for what they're worth, but also consider how you might use them to create your own writing. Perhaps you will reflect on the topic in an essay, or use an idea found here in a story. After researching and reading ...

Key points in the presentations: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? HOMEWORK: Please read Part III of  Jennifer Government .

Please take the first period of class today to put the finishing touches on your presentations. If your work is completed, please use the time in the lab to write work for your portfolio (this class) or read Jennifer Government . Then, it's back to our classroom to present some Popular Culture. Key points in the presentations: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? HOMEWORK: Please read Part III of Jennifer Government .

This morning please take a few minutes (about 5) to study the different logical fallacies and propaganda terms from your notes and refresh your memory about Part One of J ennifer Government . We will then have a short quiz on these terms. For the rest of class today, please prepare your prezi presentations for Wednesday, Oct. 15. If you finish early, please create note cards if you need them for your presentation, and rehearse your speech with a peer or friend who is also done. You may also spend your time reading or writing if you have completed your Prezi presentation! HOMEWORK: Please read Part Two: Jennifer Government . Get caught up if you have not read part one. There is no school on Monday.

EQ: What is Capitalism? What is Materialism? Terms: Look up and define these 3 terms. Compare your definition as instructed by your teacher. Capitalism Consumerism Materialism Please read the two articles and look at the group of pictures in the handout this morning. Use the articles to spark your own response. Write a creative response to something in these pictures or articles. Keep your draft in your portfolio. [This is an ongoing assignment]! Other key terms you should be familiar with: propaganda, testimonial, name calling, glittering generalities, plain-folks appeal, argumentum ad populum, argumentum ad hominem, post hoc ergo propter hoc , transfer or guilt by association, bandwagon, false analogy, begging the question, two extremes fallacy, card stacking, and testimonial. These terms can be found in your article: "How Not to Be Bamboozled." During the rest of the class, please continue to work on your Prezi projects. By the end of 1st period, you should...

Please turn in your homework from last class (see HOMEWORK on previous post for details). Period 1: Prezi & Library research Please pick up the book: Jennifer Government . You are likely not to find a book directly on your topic. You might, however, find something related from a broader context. Remember to check out the following sections using the Dewey Decimal System: 000  – General works, Computer science and Information 100  – Philosophy and psychology 200  – Religion 300  – Social sciences 400  – Language 500  – Pure Science 600  – Technology 700  – Arts & recreation 800  – Literature 900  – History & geography Period 2: Prezi & Research As you research, please make sure you answer: What is this? Where did it come from/what influenced this phenomenon? Who is involved? Why is it popular NOW? How does it affect our culture? Your Prezi should be between 3-7 minutes. Consider timing if yo...

After voting the units we will cover this year appear in this order: Popular culture Australia/New Zealand (including Aborigines)  Psychology Feminism/Women's Studies Philosophy Africa/African American Canadian/Native American Queer: Gay & Lesbian Europe Asia Middle East Central/South America Latino/U.S.

EQ's: How do you create a Prezi? How do you conduct effective research? The Pop Culture Project: Choose one of the areas of study in popular culture: Media Pop Art Pop or Media Icons (people) Fads Technology Sports Leisure Activities (gaming, pastimes, etc.) Music Fashion Food Lifestyle Narrow your topic by breaking the category down to manageable and identifiable topics. Make a list or mind map of sub topics and components in the category in your journal. EX. Media can be broken down into smaller areas such as television, film, radio; but then can be broken smaller still into things such as television:  Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black , T he Simpsons, o r various actors, various directors. Then these topics can be broken down further, if needed. Search the internet. Find internet sources that examine the significance of your chosen topic. Record the internet addresses and keep careful track of your sources according to  MLA format . Search the ...

EQ's: What is popular culture & the theory of progressive evolution? How might I, as a writer, use popular culture in my writing? How do you create a Prezi? How do you conduct effective research? Thug Notes: Great Gatsby What is  Popular Culture ? Popular culture studies popular culture from a critical theory perspective. It is generally considered a combination of communication studies and cultural studies. Barriers between so-called high and low culture have broken down, which encompasses such diverse media as comic books, television, mass media, and the Internet. The theory of progressive evolution : Capitalist economies create opportunities for every individual to participate in a culture which is fully democratized through mass education, expansion of leisure time and cheap entertainment, media and paperbacks. In this liberal view, popular culture (low culture) does not threaten high culture, but is an authentic expression of the needs of the people. ...

EQ: What is Popular Culture & Why is it taking up our lives? This morning please gather in groups of 2-4 and brainstorm to create a list of popular culture topics. You may wish to add: movies that are popular, music, dance moves, internet memes, sports, video games, technology, fashion, retro styles and topics, food trends, and so on. After coming up with a list of about 20 or more, discuss how broad reaching and influential these topics are on our society. Do these topics change the way we see the world?  Which ones are more important or influential?  Do these topics affect only a certain hegemonic group, or are they more invasive than that?  After discussing, go to the lab, and find pictures or words/phrases or graphics that are examples of popular culture from the internet and place them on our class padlet. Click   here  and add visual pictures of pop culture, counter culture, trash culture, sub culture, progressive evolution, high/low culture...

Some Vocabulary: Popular Culture :  Popular culture is the accumulated store of cultural products such as music, art, literature, fashion, dance, film, television, and radio that are consumed primarily by non-elite groups such as the working, lower, and middle class.   Counter Culture :  a way of life, a set of attitudes or a group of people whose ideas and values are different than the mainstream accepted beliefs. Fads :  a thing that becomes very popular in a  s hort  amount of time, and then  is forgotten at about the  s ame  speed. Progressive Evolution : the process of a gradual change or development in a culture's institutions or social/economic structures. Take a look at this website (Popmatters, see below). Browse the site and choose 1 article to read and summarize it by taking notes on the article and what it says. Follow up your notes by what YOU think about what was covered in the article. Turn this response in as credit...

After reading and responding to an article, we will take a quiz on cultural terms and Sedaris' essay(s). When you get a chance take a look at this website. We will be using it in the near future. You can read articles here to inspire you with ideas about what to write about. Popmatters In the lab, please complete the assigned exam. When you have completed your exam, please continue to read or write. During period 2, once all tests are completed, we will take a look at another essay or two. HOMEWORK: Please complete David Sedaris' Me Talk Pretty One Day by the end of the week. You should write a draft of a non-fiction essay for your portfolio influenced by Sedaris' writing and style (see previous assignment in the posts below).

Period 1: Please continue writing your non-fiction pieces. Leave some time to view a few of these videos below before period 2. I will announce in class when you should move toward checking out the videos. Either way, if you don't get to them today, please watch them for homework, respond to them in some sort of writing, and reflect on the material as it applies to David Sedaris and our class content. As you watch these videos, consider the following concepts/terms we have covered in class and begin learning these terms. You should be able to find evidence in the texts you read or the videos you watch of these things: Culture Cultural Relativism Stereotype Language & semiotics (symbols) Taboos Hegemonic group Dealing With Conflicts in a Culture Outside of Our Own: Travel with Kate: Local Knowledge Paris Stereotypes Paris: French-African vs. African-American French vs. American Stereotypes (teens) WWYD? Testing the French French Lessons for Americans Eddie ...

This morning, please listen and read "The Learning Curve" from the collection (pg. 83) Salman Rushdie's interview "On Writing Non-Fiction" David Sedaris: On His Life As a Writer Struggles of Writing Non Fiction Advanced Creative Non Fiction presentation (lecture with graphic notes/charts) Please review the notes below about writing non-fiction and watch some of the video material above. In the lab, use your time to write pieces for your portfolio. If you get stuck or would like to take a break, please read an essay or two in your David Sedaris books (or watch the videos). You should complete Part One by next class. We'll take a look at Part Deux . 

Cultural Notes, first. I've put them off too long. This morning, after our brief response writing time, we will listen to the following essays: "The Youth in Asia" and "The Learning Curve." After listening and considering the essays, their style, and how Sedaris manages to entertain us with the truth...we will spend a moment or two with some advice about non-fiction. EQ: How do I make my narrative or creative essays creative? How can I improve my expository writing skills and demonstrate my understanding of the non-fiction form? Some general advice about your creative essays. Creative non-fiction should be interesting. It is often called expository writing in that it exposes an idea or position about its subject matter. This requires subjectivity on the part of the author. In other words it should reveal the author's attitude toward its subject. It exposes an aspect of our culture, history, background, or the author's personality that reminds u...

What Generation Are You? Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z? How much do you think you've been influenced by: technology? education? history? science? economics? Culture: What is it? Culture Scientists and Anthropologists define  culture  as learned behavior acquired by individuals as members of a social group. According to Edward Tyler in 1871: culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and other capabilities or habits acquired by a group. Culture is a learned behavior. Culture is also used to refer to a highly cultivated person versed in art, philosophy, etc. Culture includes insignificant behavior such as behavior traits, etiquette, food habits, as well as refined arts of a society. Culture can also be considered as the sum total of human knowledge and acquired behavior of humankind. Habits or behavior is generally transmitted from members to the young or outsiders until the outsider is also an insider, part of the group. ...