Writing Across Cultures

This morning a short story from Italy, some Italian poets, and Mathilda will speak to us about her homeland. Then, it's off to the lab to work on your portfolio and to uncover some Norse literary treasures as we examine Iceland, Finland, Denmark, and Norway. Today, a smorgasbord of Norse and Eastern European culture: Finland , but seriously:  Finland's Education System Explained , and a  comparison to U.S. Education here . Informative article about  Finish writers can be found here  and a link to some  poetry samples . Iceland  and some writers from Iceland: Halldor Laxness  won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955 and since we're studying mysteries and crime fiction, here's a little icelandic culture and music ... A page devoted to  Icelandic Crime Writers  and an article about  Icelandic Poetry . Click on their links and learn about them on your own time.  Our focus will briefly be on: Norwegian Culture Dan...

Let's go practice. Start class in the Ensemble theater. Then go back to room 238 to discuss Italy/Greece. Italy: 10 Things Italy Does Better than Anyone  (2 min.) Visit Italy: 10 Things to Shock Americans  (10 min.) Racism in Italy (14 min.) Learn Italian Hand Gestures (4 min.); or  Top 20 Italian Hand Gestures (4 min.) How to Be Italian (20 rules) (8 min.) How to Date an Italian (8 min.) Umberto Eco (writing exercise): How to Essay. This morning please read the short essay "How to Travel with a Salmon" by  Umberto Eco  in class together. In pace requiescat. As writing exercises, try your own hand at writing a short "How To" essay. This should be short 1-2 page in length (400-600 words, for example) and deal with "How to" do something. Some ideas are: How to Pass a _____ Class, How to Cheat on your Boyfriend/Girlfriend, How to Buy a Dress for Prom, How to Survive Senioritis, How to Eat Unhealthily, How to Train a Dog, How to ... you ...

French writer Pierre Pairault , who wrote science fiction (SF) as Stefan Wul (1922-2003) was a  dental surgeon by trade. He published eleven SF novels between 1956 and 1959 that achieved cult status. Only one of these was translated into English during his lifetime:   Le Temple du Passe  (1957, as   The Temple of the Past , 1973 by Seabury Press), but two others are well known from their adaptations as animated films:   Oms en Serie   (1957), which gave birth to Rene Laloux's   La Planete Sauvage   (aka   Fantastic Planet , 1973), with graphics by Roland Topor, and   L'Orphelin de Perdide   (1958), which inspired   Les Maitres du Temps   (1982), also directed by Laloux, with graphics by Jean "Moebius" Giraud.  Wul wrote one more SF novel,   Noo , in 1977, and retired from dental surgery in 1989. He remained a presence on the French SF scene, and his books were often reprinted, with an edition of his complete wo...

Bonjour! Today will begin our 2-day journey through France and French culture. Let's start off with a few videos: What is Life Really Like in France? Lost in Francelation Now let's find out what you found out. Going around the room (or one at a time) show us what you found about French culture. What is the thing you researched or brought in to show us? How does it fit into French popular culture? How is this thing, object, idea, etc. different from our culture? Let's explore! Look! The history of French Bread ! After presentations, let's take a look at Raymond Queneau (Post Modern French author in the Oulipo school or tradition). Information on  Raymond Queneau  can be found at the link. He's the co-creator of the Oulipo school. Oulipo as a cool meta-fiction style can be found here . Look here for ideas for Oulipo writing exercises ! Exercises in Style: 1. Write a short succinct story about "modern" life. This should be nothing more than ...

The History of English The Difference Between The United Kingdom and Great Britain An Introduction to Britain Top 10 Facts About the United Kingdom 10 Things The British Do Better Than Americans  British poetry: let's take a look at some key British poets/poems.... British Actors Reading Poetry English Literature from Shakespeare to Jane Austen British fiction : let's take a look at some short fiction too... British Pop Culture There's no easy way to boil down over a hundred years of British films, directors, and entertainment. Instead, I'll pull a few bits and pieces together that you may find interesting. Alfred Hitchcock : before he emigrated to America, Hitchcock cut his teeth in several well directed British suspense and mystery films. Here are a few clips of his best. The Man Who Knew Too Much  (1934, trailer) The 39 Steps  (1935, full film) The-lady-vanishes  (1948) (the entire film) Frenzy (1972) Shlocky Horror in Hammer Studios throug...

Please take 10-15 minutes to prepare for your reading quiz on Mythology. Take the quiz, then go to the lab and work on your portfolio. IN THE LAB: Myths. Watch the following short videos concerning mythology (particularly if you have not yet done so...). W hat makes a hero ? Anti-hero of One's Own A Host of Heroes Use the time remaining in the lab to write a story, poem, play, script, essay, etc. involving the myths you have read (see packet & reading selections). Incorporate what we've learned in some aspect of your work. Retell the myth in a short story or poem. Feel free to change the POV, time period, setting, names, or any other aspect of the myth if you'd like or use one of the myths to allude to in your story/poem. Create a draft. Some videos concerning writing tips: A nti-social skills for writers Definition of Comedy How to write descriptively How to Build a Fictional World HOMEWORK: None. Continue writing for your portfolio.

This morning, please view and take notes on various mythologies. You may want to use what you learn in a creative project for your portfolio. (See previous posts for details) Tyshay Allan Karla Marie Shai Jaymee Jacob Mitchell Austin Grace Aleah Mathilda Zoe When we're done, we will take a moment to discuss/examine the Baghavad Gita from Peter Brook's Mahabharata and some poetry--then it's up to the lab to write. HOMEWORK: Read and prepare the myth cycles from the handouts for your test on Wednesday.

Myths. Watch the following short videos concerning mythology. W hat makes a hero ? Anti-hero of One's Own A Host of Heroes Due at end of class , please complete your mythology Prezi project.  You should know the major gods/goddesses of your chosen mythological subject. Create a slide or two where you discuss/list who are the major gods/goddesses in your chosen mythology and what they represent You should know the creation myth that goes with that tradition. In a few slides tell the story of that creation myth through videos, pictures, text, etc. [note: most cultural mythology traditions have more than one creation myth. Pick the one you'd like to use.] You should identify key cultural traditions/beliefs that are represented in the myths of this culture: for example: arête (strength) is a common cultural quality examined in many hero myths. Find examples of some others. At least one slide should include the cultural tradition--note that this slide could come before ...

This morning, please view your peers' 3-minute videos. Take notes on key concepts, ideas presented in the films and turn these notes in as participation credit. Jacob & Grace: Thomas Acquinas Allan & possibly others: Erasm us Zoe & Tyshay: Erasmus Shai: Karl Jaspers Mathilda: Hannah Arendt Austin & Mitchell: Richard Rorty Aleah, Karla Marie & possibly others, George Santayana Karla: John Locke future tips for videos: always add a works cited page to indicate where you took ideas or words, and give yourself credit. This can be done as a title page or ending credits, but please attribute your sources to avoid plagiarism or lawsuits.  After viewing and taking notes (please turn in your notes on main points made in the videos as participation credit to Ms. Sloane!) A word about myths: Myths usually run along cultural lines--embodying a specific world view or belief of that culture. They are often the basis of religion or religious belief....