Writing Across Cultures

1. This morning, please gather in groups of 4. Read the 2 plays aloud. Discuss them. Have a donut. 2. Go to the lab. Complete your research from last class. 3. Use your research to write creatively. Put your writing/drafts in your portfolio. 4. Read Tales of the City. Complete the character directory for the book. Avoid incidental or unimportant characters to focus on major characters. Still there are a lot of them. 5. Complete Tales of the City during break. 6. Have a nice break! HOMEWORK: See #5 & #6 above. Portfolios are due Jan. 20.

The Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City takes place (setting) in the 1970's in San Francisco . Since we live in Rochester, NY in the 21st century, let's learn a little about the good ol' turbulent 1970's. Start off our tour with an idea of the Russian Hill area of San Francisco . After glimpsing some of this, please take a few minutes to visit a self-guided tour of San Francisco with pictures/details about where the characters lived and how Maupin uses reality and real locations in which to set his story. Use this website and research key ideas/events in the 1970's. Be ready to share what you researched at the end of Period One. You may select any of the topics from the website (you don't have to research all of them as others will fill you in!) Use this link:  http://www.cnn.com/shows/the-seventies When you're done with that website, please read/learn about the following topics/links: Timeline of the...

This morning, please take a moment to view a short video and read an article dealing with "race" & discrimination. Please watch this short video and read the article from Time.  After viewing/reading, please take 5 minutes to respond in writing. Then, let's go to the library. Check out Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. Please return to take your test on Things Fall Apart . While you are waiting for people to finish, please begin reading Tales of the City . When students have completed the test, please go to the lab and continue working on your portfolio. HOMEWORK: Please read Tales of the City (you should finish the book during Winter Break--you could finish it before you go on break, if you put your mind to it.) As you read, please keep a character chart (you will turn this in when you return from break). 

This morning, after our writing prompt, please discuss the book Things Fall Apart . Before we begin, write a quick character list for the characters in the book. If you have specific questions/concerns or ideas about the book, what are they? Take about 3-5 minutes to complete this. You can use this for our discussion and to study from for your upcoming test. After our discussion, please use the lab to continue writing for your portfolio. There will be a test on Things Fall Apart on Wednesday. Please prepare and bring your books to class. Discussion seed questions/topics: Discuss gender roles in the book. How does the author handle gender--what seems to be his point or attitude or position on this subject? How do the scenes in the book illustrate this? Discuss the cultural importance of tradition and/or religion in the book. How does Igbo religion and traditional practices differ from our own? What scenes concerning this had an impact on you as you read?  How does Acheb...

This morning, please spend about 20 minutes researching the Igbo culture where Chinua Achebe sets his novel. On the graphic organizer examine and note aspects of the culture that interest you--what draws your attention? What is interesting to learn? Take notes (Cornell notes or annotate or outline). Read and research the following information from the links, then use this information to write a poem, short story, essay, or scene set in or involving one of the ideas/themes you researched: Nigeria  (choose at least 2 topics from the menu selections at the bottom of the page to research) Nigerian gender roles (although the entire article is informative, please focus on gender roles) Igbo customs  & Igbo history and resources Other cultural groups in Nigeria (read about these too!): The Yoruba The Hausa/Fulani With the rest of the time in the lab, you may: Write Write about men and men's studies Write about women and women's studies Write from the perspec...

Let's read a few articles/poems today and then get over to the lab for writing time. Use your time in the lab to write about men's issues. Use your prompts and writing exercises to write or develop your ideas. Revise old stories to include and flesh out men's issues. Revise old stories to develop female characters. Change the gender of your character's POV, etc. HOMEWORK: Read part two: Things Fall Apart , pp. 126-167. Take notes for yourself on characters and plot events. How does the author develop the MIDDLE of a story? What complications arise in this part of the book? What might Achebe be trying to say about Igbo culture ?

Today is a day to discuss. We'll discuss the concept of HONOR and POWER in Things Fall Apart, we'll discuss some of the key topics you came up with from your reading/research the other day, and we'll also take a look at a few articles and respond to them. All these ideas and topics can be written about. If you need a prompt/assignment for your portfolio, here you go: Take any idea we cover today and flesh it out into a story, a poem, a play, an essay, etc. Two men walk into a hairdressing salon... Or: Two men meet at a mall bench while their wives are shopping... If you identify as a boy: write about why.  If you identify as a girl: write about growing up as a boy. This is writing across cultures after all... Choose a fairy tale, film, book or television program and discuss how men are portrayed or stereotyped in the media... Other ideas? Do it! Key Ideas/Terms to consider: Functionalism : the theory based on the idea that all aspects of a society or cultur...

Jaymee's father has made a film. If you attend we'll give you extra credit: You are cordially invited to a film screening of " What WE Think About Hip-Hop ."   The 45 minute documentary film will be shown  Friday, December 11th at 7:00pm .   There will be an interactive discussion with you  on the influence of Hip Hop.   Please join us at  The Baobab Cultural Center , which is located at 728 University Avenue.  A $5.00 donation to the Cultural Center is suggested.  Hope to see you there Yo! Go see the film, engage in an active discussion, then write a quick 1-2 paragraph response (or use the experience to write your own essay for the portfolio about hip-hop and culture or any theme brought up from the film.

Okonkwo (Oh-kawnkwoh): our protagonist; he has a tragic flaw... Umoufia (Ooh-mooh-fyah): the name of Okonkwo's village; our setting Unoka (OO-no-kah): Okonkwo’s father, a lazy and indebted, but happy man Nwoye: (Nuwoh-yeh): Okonkwo’s oldest son, age 12 at the book’s beginning; eldest boys inherit their father's lands/goods, etc. Ikemefuna (Ee-keh-meh-foo-nah): A boy of fourteen given to the village by a neighboring village to avoid war Ekwefi (Eh-kweh-fee): Okonkwo’s second wife Ezinma (Eh-zeen-mah): Daughter of Ekwefi and Okonkwo Ojiubo (Oh-jee-ooh-boh): Okonkwo’s third wife Obierika ((oh-bee-air-ee-kah): Okonkwo’s best friend in Umoufia. The father of Maduka (son) and Ekuwke (daughter) Chielo (Chee-eh-loh): A village widow who is also the priestess of Agbala Agbala (Ah-bah-lah): The Oracle of the Hills and Caves. She influences all aspects of life in the village Mr. Brown: The first white Christian missionary in Umoufia Mr. Kiaga (Kee-ah-gah): The native interp...

This morning during period 1 go to this website:  The Art of Manliness 1. Read 1 article  per heading  (note headings are at the top of the webpage: (a man's life, dress & grooming, health & sports, manly skills, & how-to holiday)). That means, let's do the math..., we read 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 articles. 2. For each article, please take down the following notes: Who wrote the article? What is the name of the article? What is a short summary of the MAIN POINTS of the article? What is your gut reaction to the information in the article? What are you THINKING? 3. Be prepared to discuss with the class what you found and what profound thoughts you thunked during period 2. When you have completed reading 5 articles, please move on to #4 below. Prepare for our discussion period 2. 4. Examine HONOR in the first seven chapters of  Things Fall Apart ( pages 3-62 ) .  Start off by watching this short film first . Find out what defines male honor. ...

Today, we'll start with a donut, a sad good-bye, and a few articles we meant to give you before but didn't. After writing a creative response to these essays, let's move forward into our next topic: masculinity. What does it mean to feel like a man? Let's find out!  There is no better way for us to do this than the following: 1. Go to the lab by way of the library. Pick up our next book Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. This is our next major novel for this course. 2. To start, let's answer: What does it mean to feel like a man? Let's find out! Watch this video and then remember its key ideas by writing them down . Want to feel like a real student? Become a real student by studying. 3. Done? Good. Learned stuff? Good. Now: Go to this website: The Art of Manliness 3. Read 1 article per heading (note headings are at the top of the webpage: (a man's life, dress & grooming, health & sports, manly skills, & how-to holiday)). That ...

Lab Task: Read this short article:  http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20130801-too-grimm-for-children Then check out these websites:  http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimmtales.html German:  The Brother's Grimm Danish:  Hans Christian Andersen French:  Charles Perrault  Choose a fairy tale that you want to work with (consider your favorites--or be unique and consider one that is not as well known) Write a narrative or prose poem or a story or scene or an essay in which you explore gender and fairy tale themes. HOMEWORK: Please read  9 Parts of Desire  by Heather Raffo. 

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 you...

After our discussion, let's discuss a little archetype. Brainstorm your favorite fairy tales. Which fairy tales were your favorite (or are your favorite)? Why do you like this/these stories? The Archetypal Fairy Tale • Stories, often told to children, to entertain, instruct or teach • Often used to illustrate the problems that children and young people face as they become adults --What might be some of these typical problems? • The characters in fairy tales represent part of our own “psyche” or inner self Common themes in fairy tales include: • Metamorphosis • Transformation • Imprisonment • Love • Good versus evil (overcoming obstacles) • Death or transition • Illusion or misunderstanding • Rules or authority There are often boy and girl fairy tales. These differ in plot. • Boy fairy tale plots focus on exploration, discovery, and include a climax which separates the boy from his childhood. Usually by the end, the boy has grown into a m...

This morning, please use the lab to prepare and complete your portfolio and/or research for your Women's Studies presentation. You are required to have the following in your portfolio for a passing grade: --The Cultural Baseline Essay --The Dystopian Story --Other work inspired by the writing prompts/reflections we worked on during this course* --A written reflection --Revisions of your work (including various drafts) Please note that you will  be expected to conduct some revision each marking period (show your drafts), along with a short 2-3 page reflection. These pages do not count for the # of pages indicated below. Please also note that your portfolio grade is a combination of quantity AND quality. Scores are determined by an average score. What is the reflection? You know that stuff that you wish I knew so that I don't grade you too harshly on an assignment? That. Also, what problems are you having with your writing or with a specific piece in your port...

Helen of Troy Does Countertop Dancing by Margaret Atwood: https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/helen-troy-does-countertop-dancing William Butler Yeats: Leda and the Swan http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/172064   Stanley Kunitz: The Abduction https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/abduction   Maya Angelou: A Plagued Journey http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178951

Anne Sexton The Operation For My Lover, Returning to His Wife

Mass Incarceration video The Enduring Myth of Black Criminality

For today's lesson & agenda, please link to Ms. Springer's blog here . HOMEWORK: Complete 1984 .

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). Please note that you will  be expected to conduct some revision each marking period, along with a short 2-3 page reflection. These pages do not count for the # of pages indicated below. Please also note that your portfolio grade is a combination of quantity AND quality. Scores are determined by an average score. 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 ...

This morning, please spend the first 30 minutes today working on your dystopian stories. Please use the following blog while Ms. Springer is teaching you: Ms. Springer's Blog HOMEWORK: Please check Ms. Springer's blog for this, but continue reading 1984  (part III) & the article from the Atlantic Monthly "The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration"; continue writing.

How to Write a Dystopian Story (prompts) Dystopian Fiction Project Use the writing prompts from class to create your own dystopian story. Length is up to you, but remember that a good story has a beginning, middle, and end. Character is important, so you'll want to develop your character enough for us readers to care about him or her. Setting becomes an important aspect in any science fiction or fantasy story like this. Settings seem more real when they are described with specific details and verisimilitude. The shorter the story, the closer to the climax you will want to begin. Other advice/resources: The Writing Cafe: The Dystopian Society 5 Tips to Writing a Dystopian Story It's a Bad, Bad World: Writeworld What Makes a Good YA Dystopian Novel? Some writing tips: No matter what, when you get stuck (and you will) remember to step into the shoes of your protagonist. What does she see, what does he think, what does she want, etc.? Skip to the next sc...

After taking a quiz on Part One of 1984 , let's discuss the significance of the following: What function does Syme play in the novel thus far? Compare/contrast him with Winston. How does a government change culture by censoring (or omitting) classical literature, such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, Milton, Byron, etc. Examine your own education. How well do you know these authors and their works? How is our culture similar/different from the line on page 53: "There will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy ( authorized or generally accepted theory, doctrine, or practice)  means not thinking--not needing to think." What does Winston mean when he writes: "if there is hope, it lies in the proles"? Explain: "Until they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious." Explain: "Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows." E...

UTOPIA: In 1516 Sir Thomas More wrote Utopia --a fictional/political satire that described a perfect or ideal setting (in his case a perfect island in the Atlantic--yep, he was hinting at the "new world"). The word Utopia literally means "no place". It was meant to satirize and comment on More's own English society, but our forefathers--those dead white guys who established our government were familiar with it. Religions often refer to an utopian state (usually achieved by death or crossing over into heaven) to satisfy the masses. Hope is an excellent human trait. The book Utopia by Sir Thomas More is divided into two parts: a dialogue through correspondence (that's like texting a friend back and forth on one topic) about all the horrible things happening in Europe, and in the second part of the book, a discourse with protagonist Raphael Hythlodaeus--a fictional traveler who visits the fictional island of Utopia. Utopia, though, might not be exactly t...

Counterculture : attitude and behavior that opposes societal norms. Anonymous Prezi : "hacktivism"  Jigsaw activity: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/13/amid-ferguson-protests-anonymous-hacktivists-wage-cyberwar/?postshare=4771442763069034 http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/20/technology/anonymous_hack/index.htm http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/06/protesters-gather-million-mask-march?CMP=share_btn_link http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/30785773/hackers-anonymous-disable-extremist-website http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/24/anonymous_fight_child_abuse_network/ http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/anonymous-brandjacks-westboro-baptist-church-facebook-1C9395459 Discussion:  Who is the group targeted by Anonymous in this case? What did they do? Was it effective?  Out of the people that V attacks throughout the novel, what person or institution is most similar to the group targeted by Anonymous in your ...

During period 1, please read the current article(s) and respond to them in writing. Take about 10-15 minutes to do that. Then, use your time in the lab to either prepare for our discussion of V for Vendetta (test Monday) or continue writing your cultural baseline essays. Remember: these essays should not be turned in, but should be written as your first draft. You will be asked to go back to this original draft and revise before you turn in your portfolio! At the end of period 1, we want to discuss the importance of critical thinking with you.  Consider: What do you (you!) do when you don't know an answer? Think, pair, share. How might just following orders cause problems in your job, your daily life, or as a society? Ms. Springer will have a little exercise for you to do about critical thinking and your previous work. On page 17, you can read the titles of some of V's books. Choose one book and explain why it might be meaningful to V. Both V and The Leader descr...

This morning, please begin looking over "How It Feels to be Colored Me". Join a small group of 3-4 and discuss this essay. On the index card (front) please bullet notes about how culture and cultural concepts frame this essay. To be turned in. V for Vendetta V for Vendetta  is an example of a dystopian novel. We're going to read a few of these this year, so let's learn a little bit about  Utopias/Dystopias  (from Shmoop) Please learn more about the author Alan Moore here at this link . Before you leave the lab, please read the article and list 3 things you found out about Alan Moore. Submit your index card with these notes for participation credit. For those of you interested in delving deeper into either Alan Moore's mind or comic writing, spend some personal time watching these YouTube videos. Alan Moore: Comics & the Occult (2007 interview; 116 minutes) How to Write Comic Books (interview; 11:35) How To Write Comics (for beginners) (episode #...

Our units this year will follow this order. Introduction to Culture/Dystopia-Utopia Race & Gender, LGBT Studies (20) Psychology (23) Philosophy (29) Mythology (31) Popular Culture (35) Media Studies (36) African Literature (36) British Literature (39) European Literature (40) Asian Literature (41) North America/Native American/Canadian Literature (41) South & Central American Literature (45) Australia/New Zealand Literature (45) Middle East Literature (49) Sociology/Political Science (49)

Almost anything can be a good subject for a creative essay. Don't try to sensationalize your writing. What readers really want to learn about is YOU! 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 us about our humanity.  It should be written with as much exactness and literary skill as fiction. When you tell a narrative story (even if it's true) the details and careful attention to characterization, setting, and plot are essential...