The Visit; Mystery Writing; Country Research

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After our quiz on Acts 1 & 2 of the Visit and the travel essay handout(s), we will complete the play The Visit.

Swiss playwright: Friedrich Durrenmatt: The Visit: Act 3

Then, let's chat a small bit about writing mysteries. Our next book, as requested, is Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.

Finally, our research project will be covering one of the following countries. With any time remaining in class, please select one of the following countries (the major ones you don't pick I will cover in class) and begin researching. Note that some of the smaller countries have been "bundled" together.
  • Ireland
  • Spain
  • France
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Belgium & The Netherlands
  • Serbia & Croatia
  • Bosnia
  • Romania
  • Greece & Macedonia
  • Czech Republic
  • Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia
  • Switzerland
  • Austria & Hungary
  • Poland
  • Ukraine
  • Turkey
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Russia
  • Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belorussia
  • Kazakhstan, Pakistan
  • Equestria, Narnia, Mordor
  • Syria
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Colombia
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Peru
  • Chile
  • China
  • Tibet
  • Japan
  • India
  • Korea (both N & S)
  • Vietnam
Your presentation will likely include the following:
  • a short summary documentary film extolling the key features of the country's unique culture
  • a Prezi, PowerPoint, or visual presentation focusing on aspects of the culture: cuisine, sports, music, religion/beliefs, fashion, geography, power structures (institutions, including government, politics, education, economics, etc.), media, and the literary arts
  • a poem from a noted or significant poet & a short story, selection of a novel or play from a noted or significant author & a media clip (film, song, dance, etc.--this may be included in your documentary or presentation) (you need all three genres)
  • A visual aide that goes with the presentation: an edible dish to pass to the class, dressing up in appropriate cultural attire, an artifact from the culture (show and tell).
Presentations should take up between 15-30 minutes (including reading the poem in class, showing the documentary film, giving the presentation, and serving food, etc.). Students should time their presentations to fall within the time limit. Rubrics will be discussed soon.

The presentations will be due on the following dates:
6/1, 6/3, 6/5, 6/9, 6/11 (no exceptions!) You will sign up for a date and that will be the date of your presentation. Period. No make-up dates if you are absent!

HOMEWORK: Begin reading And Then There Were None. Begin researching your chosen topic.

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