Writing Across Cultures

First things first. Please sign up for a chapter to summarize and examine/present to the class from The Epic of Gilgamesh . Next class, be prepared to summarize the plot of that chapter (you can use a graphic organizer, if you'd like to create a mind-map), analyze the adventure genre aspects/tropes you recognize, and suggest a story premise based on or alluding to a key event. We will share our findings with the rest of the class. Genre writing can be a lot of fun (or cause those of you who are realists a lot of stress). Consider what you like to write and try to incorporate the adventure genre into that, since adventure and suspense can utilize any other genre: science fiction, romance, horror, mystery, western, war, urban, historical fiction, chick lit, children's lit, gothic, or travel memoir, etc. But if you need an extra push, here are a few sub genres of the style: Robinsonades : from Daniel Defoe's famous novel Robinson Crusoe , this is a type of adventure st...

The adventure genre of fiction can be classified (and created) by putting main characters in peril or in dangerous situations. Each protagonist usually has a set of skills that help him/her thwart the danger or evil enemies to come out victorious. Adventure fiction made its official debut with 19th century writers such as Alexandre Dumas , Jules Verne , Charles Dickens , Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson . It was later used with science fiction and fantasy authors, as well as writers of Westerns, War novels, and Suspense or Horror writers. In the 1920-1950's the pulp novel relied heavily on the archetypes and tropes of the adventure story. Today, adventure books are still common, but mostly found in film and children's literature. Columbia studios released the first of three Sinbad adventure films ( The 7th Voyage of Sinbad ) in 1958 calling the video and filming effects: Dynamation . The other two films in the "series" include The Golden Voyage of Sinb...

During period 1, please use this time to prepare and work on your portfolio. Portfolios are due next week (1/21). There is no school Monday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. During 2nd period, we will return to room 238 and have a discussion on Maus . Extra Credit: Black History Poem. Cultural History of Comic Books: According to Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, 1993) a comic book is a "series of words and pictures that are presented in a sequential manner to form a narrative that may or may not be humorous." For a very long time in our culture, comics have been read, loved, hated, and controversial. They both celebrate that which is popular and also creep along the edge of a generation's fears, political views, and ultimately shape who we are as a culture. Love them or hate them, comics are part of US. Given its complex cultural and commercial role, a definition of “comic book” raises issues and "debates about sequence, narrative, image, text, genre, ...

Please use the time in the lab today to work on your writing and reading projects. HOMEWORK: Complete Maus for our discussion Thursday.

Let's spend time today discussing the articles you read. Then, let's discuss Hebrew poetry, and retire to the lab. Spend the time in the lab today: A. Reading  Maus . B. Reading "The Form of Hebrew Poetry" & sample poems C. Working on your portfolio. Portfolios are due 1/21. You should have a draft (and perhaps a revision) of your middle east narrative project, a sample ghazal (if you didn't write one last marking period--see previous posts), and other work from our exercises, and so forth. HOMEWORK: Read  Maus .

Please meet in pairs to "think/pair/share" information about your research on Palestine, Israel, and Afghanistan. Then follow the instructions given to form small groups for a writing exercise. Create your own poem draft (for your portfolio & for this exercise), then spend the time in the lab today: A. Reading Maus . B. Reading "The Form of Hebrew Poetry" & sample poems C. Working on your portfolio. Portfolios are due 1/21. You should have a draft (and perhaps a revision) of your middle east narrative project, a sample ghazal (if you didn't write one last marking period--see previous posts), and other work from our exercises (today's draft, for instance), and so forth. HOMEWORK: Read Maus .

Welcome back from your break! This morning we will view a few shorter clips/documentaries about Israel/Palestine. Then, we'll head up to the lab to research and conduct an activity involving Israeli poets. Israeli Poets Here are some links about ancient Hebrew/Jewish culture, Palestinian culture, and Afghanistan.  Please review the links, watch the videos, and complete the graphic organizer based on each culture (Israeli/Jewish culture, Arabic-Islamic culture, and Palestinian culture) : Ancient Hebrew Culture Ancient Hebrew Language Jewish Culture and History. Hebrew Culture The Maps of Israel The Balfour Declaration (documentary clip) History in 60 Seconds (Formation of Israel) The History of Palestine Palestine History: Time Line Made in Palestine: a website with poetry and visual art  Afghanistan life Women in Afghanistan Inside the Taliban  (documentary film) HOMEWORK: Conclude research on any materials posted here for Wednesday. Be prepared ...

Please take a look at our Middle Eastern Unit and read the supporting materials. Please examine and research the links below. There's a lot here (as always): Our image of the Middle East often comes from antiquity. We are largely outdated in our understanding of this area of the world and romanticize exotic aspects of this "foreign" land. Arabia (the ancient middle east) has a particularly rich literary history. Today we will examine various pieces from this time period. For your notes and information in regards to research, here's a few links about Arabia & the Middle East. Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958)  Portfolio writing idea:  write your own Sinbad (or a similar hero) adventure story, film script, epic or narrative poem, play, or comic strip--Here's help:  the adventure archetype  (usable for any story!) Aspects of Pre-Islamic Arabian Society Pre-Islamic History of the Middle East (documentary clip) Stories of 1001 Arabian Nights Catherine ...