Writing Across Cultures

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...