Writing Across Cultures

Ethics  (moral philosophy) is the study of distinguishing right from wrong and good from bad. --What does it mean to say that something is right or good? --What makes right actions right? --How can disputes about moral questions be resolved? It is the task of ethics to answer such questions. Types: 1.  Practical ethics  (What should I do?) 2.  Theoretical ethics  (Are these standards really right or are they all just arbitrary?) 3.  Philosophical ethics  is often called normative ethics. A.  Normative ethics  searches for norms using authoritative standards (rules) of what ought to be: –The speed limit is 55. If everyone goes 60, is it wrong to adhere to 55? –Murder is considered wrong. If one kills for one’s country, is this a wrongful act? B. Among the questions of normative ethics are: What makes right actions right? How can we tell what is right?  Why  should I be moral? Types of Normative Ethics: C.  Hed...

Today we will complete our reading of No Exit . With time remaining, we will do the following: 1. Go to the library to choose one of the following books: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (Canadian) The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (American) The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt (Swiss) 2. Return to the lab to work on your Feminism draft or to read.  3. As you read one of the works above, examine the ethical choices the characters make. Note these, so that we can discuss them in class. HOMEWORK: Read your chosen book. Complete your Feminist draft (see instructions in the post below). 

Notes about the types of feminists: "In my heart, I think a woman has two choices: either she's a feminist or a masochist." —Gloria Steinem "The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race." —Susan B. Anthony "In passing, also, I would like to say that the first time Adam had a chance he laid the blame on a woman." —Nancy Astor (British Politician) Feminism The theory that men and women should be equal politically, economically and socially. Notice that this theory does not subscribe to differences between men and women or similarities between men and women, nor does it refer to excluding men or only furthering women's causes. Most other branches of feminism do. Why you believe in feminism and what your ideas are to ...

3-Minute Philosophy projects: Tim : Michel Foucault Clara : John Dewey Hannah : Simone de Beauvoir Existentialism is the branch of philosophy that deals with the meaning of life. Many authors of the 20th century were interested in answering this important question. We'll take a look at two of the most influential existential authors: Albert Camus and Jean Paul Sartre. After our quiz on The Stranger  we will have a discussion on the book. Please evaluate a neighbor as we discuss the book and its themes. Then we'll take a look at  Sartre 's  No Exit . Jean-Paul Sartre  (21 June 1905 – 15 April 1980) was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic.  He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, but declined it stating: "It is not the same thing if I sign Jean-Paul Sartre or if I sign Jean-Paul...

Upload your 3-minute philosophy films and please post your URL in the comment section below. We'll take a look at these near the end of the week. Today your portfolio is due. Please turn it in. 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, and art as well as its relation to other genres, such as children’s literature" (Meski...

Please continue to work on your portfolios and 3-minute philosophy projects. These are due Tuesday, March 18. Begin or keep reading The Stranger by Albert Camus. While in the lab, take some time (about 10-15 minutes) to read about Albert Camus and existentialism. Please use the links to take notes on the following questions (homework for Tuesday). Existentialism Albert Camus 1. Jot down a few notes about Camus' life and biography. Answer: who was he, why is he important to Western Civilization. 2. In your own words explain Camus' view on  Absurdity . 3. In your own words explain Camus' view on  Solidarity . 4. Who was Sisyphus and how might this myth be a good example of absurdity? 5. In your own words explain  Existentialism . 6. What are some basic principals, movements or themes of existentialism? On-going question as you read and prepare for our class discussion on Camus: 7. How might  The Stranger  be considered an example of existentialism...

Please continue to work on your portfolio projects: A race/freedom story/response an adventure story a response centering around philosophy Your 3-minute philosophy film other Largely, please begin putting your 3-minute philosophy project together. You may use the lab downstairs for that, if you need to. You can work with 1 other student, but please do your own work. We'll do voice overs for this project during next class. HOMEWORK: Read The Stranger . For real this time. 

Please consider the following points: According to the contemporary philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer , our prejudices and beliefs, the questions we think are worth asking, and the kinds of answers we are satisfied with are all a product of our history and culture. He suggests that we can never reach an absolute objective perspective on anything. The process of understanding our lives and existence is similar to having a "conversation with history" wherein we deepen our understanding of our own present lives by examining the past.  The Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana wrote the now-famous, but misinterpreted statement: "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." For progress to be possible, we must not only remember the past, but also able to learn from it in order to find different ways of doing things. Progress is not a revolution so much as an adaptation and therefore, he would contend, civilization is a cumulative proces...

Our senior coffeehouse is scheduled for April 3 at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theater . This is a requirement of all senior CW majors. We will prepare and rehearse for the event in our classes. Not to worry. Our field trip to Geva occurs tomorrow. Please bring a bagged lunch, dress appropriately, and meet us down in the Commons at 9:50. The Young Playwrights' Contest at Geva has a deadline Friday. Scripts should be between 5-10 pages in length (in  proper playwriting format !) Please include a TITLE PAGE with clear contact information: Name, address, phone #, and email address. MAKE SURE YOU PROOFREAD YOUR SCRIPT BEFORE SENDING IT OFF TO THE CONTEST! These scripts should be sent to  Mrs. Jean Ryon  at  youngwriters@gevatheatre.org . Poetry Contest at Poets.org: Please consider entering this contest: Poet to Poet Project from Poets.org Parent/Teacher Conferences are tomorrow from 6:30-8:30.

Period 1 : Please read the handout on your selected philosopher.  Take notes on key or important ideas found in the handout.  Spend some time online fleshing out the ideas and finding images or drawings that might help you illustrate the philosopher's point.  Begin writing a short "speech" that you will record as a voice over for your presentation film. Period 2: Alone or with a partner, create a short 1-3 minute philosophy film summarizing the most important or key points of your philosopher. Use the previous 3-minute philosophy films to give you some ideas (see posts below!) Use your short speech and various graphic designs, your own drawings, or chosen illustrations from the internet to punctuate key ideas presented by this philosopher. By the end of class you should have read and taken notes on your philosopher, researched and selected your pictures/graphics for the video, and have your short speech written. HOMEWORK: Continue working on your short film...

This morning, let's read the rest of Six Characters In Search of an Author . When we complete this task, let's learn about: Friedrich Nietzsche  (1844-1900) Some basic beliefs: The individual is important and can develop into something "super". The person able to reach this superior position is a " Superman "(ubermensche). Our friendly superhero in popular culture used some of Nietzsche's ideas as well. After learning about Nietzsche's ideas, watch this cartoon and see if you can identify any key concepts: Superman (1941, Max Fleischer) The purpose of  thinking  is so that we can get along in the world. Nothing is objective. All is subjective. "There are no facts, only interpretations" Nietzsche created the concept of " transvaluation ": giving an old idea new significance. Most people belong to " the herd "; the herd mentality prevents people from creating new ways of thinking and acting. Being part of t...