Writing Across Cultures

Under the main heading of philosophy, there are several branches. These are divided by the kind of questions they ask. Here are the main ones: I. Ethics : the study of values in human behavior or moral problems: (what is good or right?) II. Aesthetics : the study of what is beautiful or artistic: (is this art? What is beauty?) III. Axiology : the study of value (value theory): (what is at stake or what is of value in a life or human action?) IV. Epistemology : the study of knowledge. (what is truth?) V. Ontology : the study of existence. (what is real?) VI. Metaphysics : the study of extra-normal existence (really a sub-branch of ontology). (what created the world? Do we have a soul? What is God?) VII. Existentialism : also a sub-branch of Ontology--it seeks to answer: What is the meaning of life? Here's an example:  Monty Python sketch from The Meaning of Life (1983) Using the graphic organizer, watch the following video and complete the 3-2-1 portion of the sheet. Wha...

This morning, please complete your psychological assessments for your "patient": Use the article handouts and videos we covered in this unit to help you diagnose your character's problem. Use the text Equus  specifically as a record for your report (use textual evidence!) You can draw on Freud (see blog posts below), Jung, Maslow, Fromm, Skinner, Pavlov, Laing, Cyrulnik, Rowe, Janet, Watson, etc. to help support your findings. A psychological assessment should include the following (you may follow this standard template if you'd like...): INTRODUCTION: State the name, age (or approx. age), marital status, sex/gender, occupation, race, nationality, and religion of your patient. You may include whether or not the patient has had previous issues (behavioral, disorders, treatment, etc.). Finally, you should state what the patient's major problem or complaint might be, and why the patient was referred or came to the psychologist (you)! NOTE: The body can be in ...

Please complete Act I & 2 of Equus on your own. You have the 100 Days celebration thing this morning. HOMEWORK: Complete Equus --take note for your psychological analysis of the character you chose. 

When examining a novel, poem, play or film, a certain image or line may repeat an idea, theme, object, etc. Taken together, this object, event, or idea becomes a motif and/or a symbol representing something larger than itself. As viewers or listeners we need to be aware that this is occurring so that we understand what the author intended -- it works the same way in visual art. A viewer must be able to decode the visual symbols the artist creates in order to understand the message or meaning of the work. As writers, we can utilize this technique to strengthen our writing. Try it by choosing a draft of a story you have already written. Repeat a key idea, phrase, line, or use an object or event to create a motif or symbol. Imbue it with meaning by stressing it. Don't explain the metaphor. Let it be, but call attention to it by suggesting connections subtly. As you read  Equus , try noticing how an author uses a motif with craft and grace. Also, please examine the character you...

During period 1 (until 8:40), please complete your play drafts. Revise and proofread as necessary. When you finish, please print out a few copies for a workshop. Work in groups of 3-4. Read the drafts and get some feedback from your peers. [You can start your workshop before 8:40 if you have at least 2 other peers who are also done]. Then, make any changes necessary and submit by 9:10. If you finish before this time, please see the video selections on psychiatry in the post below. Send your play script to:  youngwriters@gevatheatre.org . In the subject line please indicate that your attached file is for the Young Writer's Contest . Play scripts should have a title page with your contact information. Include full address and name with the title of your play. When you have submitted your play draft, please indicate that you submitted by posting a comment on this blog. Turn in a draft of your play to me as credit for this week's writing. At 9:10 please gather around the front...

What is happiness? Why can't we be happy? Why can't we be loved? Why can't we love others? This morning, please read Erich Fromm's theories about why our lives are filled with powerlessness and anxiety. How might we correct that and live fulfilling lives? Read and find out. Take notes on the graphic organizer. Fromm sets forth personality types: Receptive people Exploitative people Hoarding people Marketing people Necrophilious people Productive people Peter Shaffer's  Equus Equus , like  Oedipus Rex , uses the motif of "eyes." As you read the play notice how the playwright uses this motif. You will likely find many examples of "seeing" or "eyes" or "vision." Try to find other motifs when you see them. Also, look for archetypes and psychological concepts. What should you do with this information? When examining a novel, poem, play or film, a certain image or line may repeat an idea, theme, object, etc. T...

Activity:  Let's recap some key concepts on Freud. Call off a number 1-3. Get into your group's number and discuss the key information you learned about Freud (& the other psychologists). Now is the time to test what you remember, what you learned, etc. If your group has questions--answer them. If everyone knows and remembers everything fine, but together come up with a discussion question--perhaps linking Freud to your own lives or our culture--then use the notecard to ask an intelligent discussion question about the material for the class to discuss next time--we'll cover these questions next class. Turn in your index card. More Freudian Theory Here's a bit more information about  Freud's theories . Feel free to research this as much as you'd like. To learn more  about Freud  as a person and historical figure, click there. Mental Defenses Repression : When painful memories or anxiety or negative thoughts occur, repression is the process of push...