Writing Across Cultures

Please go to the lab to work on our philosophy film projects today. Philosophy Project: 1. You should have completed your research on your philosopher by now--get the basic idea & be able to explain key points, etc. 2. You should have written your script of 1-2 pages in length by now, using your notes 3. You should have c ollected images and JPG's from the internet that go along with your philosopher and his/her main points. You should use these images to create a film with your script as a voice over. Please note: you should have completed 1-3 above already. If you have not done so, you are falling far behind and need to complete this work this morning! 4. Use Soundbooth and the microphone to create an MP4 (save as an MP4) of your script! NOTE: Please ask for microphones from Ms. Gamzon's lab on the 2nd floor (room 239) if you need one.  5. Upload MP4 into Moviemaker 6. Edit and rearrange film; upload to Youtube. Send me the link in the comments section belo...

During period 1, please complete the quiz on Waiting For Godot . Then take some time this morning to discuss the play in a Socratic Seminar. Some basic discussion questions: So, what's the point of this play? What do we learn about the human condition through it?  If you were to communicate a similar theme or message, how would you have written something differently? What is the significance of the setting of this play? The characters? The plot & stage events? Discuss positions of power in the play. Who has power in this play? Afterward, let's go pick up our next book. Then it's back to the lab to work on our philosophy film projects.  HOMEWORK: Read The Pirates In An Adventure with The Romantics . It's due Monday, May 4. It's a comedy, contemporary, and frivolous written by a British lad, so read it and enjoy. 

Philosophy Project: 1. Research your philosopher--get the basic idea & be able to explain key points 2. Write your script using your notes 3.  Collect images and JPG's from the internet that go along with your philosopher and his/her main points. Use these images to create a film with your script as a voice over. 4. Use Soundbooth and the microphone to create an MP4 (save as an MP4) of your script 5. Upload MP4 into Moviemaker 6. Edit and rearrange film; upload to Youtube. Send me the link in the comments section below! Making a film in Windows Movie Maker Making a podcast in Adobe soundbooth: Video:     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96ZzJQlkyRI View video:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4IBSseAJlk&feature=related https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF6WmxRIeHg http://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Podcast If you completed your homework, you have researched your philosopher and created a short 1-2 page "script" summarizing ...

Let's think about this (cause you might find it useful): How to Find Fulfilling Work? Why Some Countries are Rich and Some Poor? After watching the last of our video samples/models, we will choose a philosopher to examine, research, etc. and create a short film extolling its virtues and ideas. In addition, after we do all this, and before we move to the lab to conduct our research, I want to introduce you to Samuel Beckett--our Irish absurdist. Samuel Beckett  greatly influenced absurdism or  theater of the absurd  (as termed by literary critic  Martin Esslin ). Perhaps one of the strangest plays you are likely to see (there are several, actually) is Samuel Beckett's  End Game . The story involves Hamm, a blind old invalid unable to stand, and his servant Clov, who cannot sit down. They live by the sea in a tiny house. The dialogue suggests that there is nothing left outside—no sea, no sun, no clouds. The two mutually dependent characters have b...

After listening and reading chapter 5 of part two, please follow the instructions for a silent Socratic Seminar assignment in honor of Day of Silence. After that, let's go back to those Ancient Philosophers, then take a look at some student Philosophy videos for our upcoming project. Sample videos: Tim : Michel Foucault Clara : John Dewey Hannah : Simone de Beauvoir With any time remaining, let's head to the lab for research purposes. Choose one of the various philosophers available and begin researching! HOMEWORK: None. Come see Richard II for extra credit if you want.

What is philosophy for? After reading/listening to chapter 6, let's pause a moment and learn a little bit about the philosophers listed here: Sartre Camus: 8-bit Myth of Sisyphus Camus: Discovery of the Absurd Now, on to chapter 7, then pause for some ancient philosophy: Plato Aristotle Stoicism Epicurus Pythagoras Descartes And chapters 8-10 (chapters 1-4 in Part Two), etc. HOMEWORK: Complete The Stranger . We will read the last chapter (chapter 5) in class on Friday, then discuss the book and its ideas in relation to what we've learned from ourselves and others. 

At some time today, your guidance counselors will arrive with some information about scholarships. Portfolios. Please take the first 20 minutes of class today to prepare your portfolio for submission. It is due today. If you finish early, please begin your research on Albert Camus, an Algerian writer--often chosen by the French as a key existential philosopher of his day. Read a little about Algeria here at this link . While in the lab, take some time to read about Albert Camus and existentialism. Please use these links to take notes on the following questions (homework for Friday). After 20 minutes, we will be getting the book, The Stranger, by Albert Camus and beginning to read it in class. When you return from the library, please come to room 238 to prepare for the book. 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 ...

Please work on these assignments in the lab today. HOMEWORK: Portfolios are due Monday. 

After a short quiz on the book Things Fall Apart, let's conduct a socratic discussion on the book. During period 2, please retire to the lab to work on your African writing project. Portfolios are due next Monday, April 13. You should have a brief reflection and a revision, along with the writing projects you completed this marking period (including a draft of the African short story project we have been working on). HOMEWORK: As above.