Writing Across Cultures

Portugal & Espana: Hola! Today we will cross the great straight of Gibraltar to Europe's main continent. Let's start with a little literature, poetry, and then move to some information and cultural research. Sign up for a Spanish Cultural Topic from the list handed to you in class. You should prepare and design a newsletter, brochure, menu, storyboard, pamphlet, flyer, report, CD cover, etc. that encompasses your cultural field. It should effectively or clearly define the cultural phenomenon. YOU should be able to explain its history and discuss its cultural relevance in a 1-2 minute oral presentation. Extras are encouraged (such as a cued-up short film clip, a single track song, a guitar, a dance, a plate of empanadas) but not required. Don't just pass out a muffin and say, "well, they have muffins in Spain." That would not be appropriate. Your presentation/project is due Monday, Feb. 7.  Check out this website for your project reports and research. ...

Today we will conduct our Stranger discussion. Your portfolios are due either today or Monday. Please note that portfolios will not be accepted AFTER Monday. Please use the weekend to complete writing work, if needed. These assignments are due today: --Please turn in your Babel homework (1-2 page response involving ethics (see below)) --Please turn in your The Stranger character list homework and the questions about Camus (blog): past due.

We will conclude our viewing of Babel. After our discussion, please use the time remaining to respond to the film concerning ethics (1-2 page response). This will be due Friday. Please sign up for a discussion leader position if you have not yet done one for The Stranger . NOTE: Portfolio due 1st date: Jan. 21 and/or second date: Jan 24. No late portfolios will be collected after Jan 24. Do not ask me to print materials--this is your responsibility. I will not see you on Monday, Jan. 24, so please do not forget to bring in your materials if you do not bring them in Friday.

Today, we will watch Babel . Please watch one of the four plot lines carefully, and note the ethical issue inherent in each storyline. HOMEWORK: Please prepare your portfolios. These are due Friday Jan. 21. There will be a quiz on the Stranger on Friday as well. Please complete this book by then.

Today, after our work with ethics, please watch the film Babel. We will be watching this film for a while. See handout for more details and assignments. Your portfolio is due on the 24 of January.

Ethics (moral philosophy) is the study of distinguishing right from wrong and good from bad. --What does it mean to say that something is right or good? --What makes right actions right? --How can disputes about moral questions be resolved? It is the task of ethics to answer such questions. Types: 1. Practical ethics (What should I do?) 2. Theoretical ethics (Are these standards really right or are they all just arbitrary?) 3. Philosophical ethics is often called normative ethics. A. Normative ethics searches for norms using authoritative standards (rules) of what ought to be: –The speed limit is 55. If everyone goes 60, is it wrong to adhere to 55? –Murder is considered wrong. If one kills for one’s country, is this a wrongful act? B. Among the questions of normative ethics are: What makes right actions right? How can we tell what is right? Why should I be moral? Types of Normative Ethics: C. Hedonism : the view that in the end it only matters if it is pleas...

After our writing prompts, we will be spending time in the lab. Today in the lab, please take a look at the links for Albert Camus and work on your portfolio. Please use the links to take notes on the following questions (homework). You may use this information to help you answer your homework (due Monday ): 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 on Absurdity . 3. In your own words explain Camus' view on Solidarity . 4. Who was Sisyphus and how might this myth be a good example of absurdity? 5. In your own words explain Existentialism . 6. What are some basic principals, movements or themes of existentialism? On-going question: 7. How might The Stranger be considered an example of existentialism? What is Camus' point about the meaning of our lives? Choose a quote from Albert Camus and use this somehow i...

Here we are at the end of our unit. At the beginning, I had you write a letter explaining what you knew about the Middle East. Let's take a moment to "rewrite" that letter, explaining to the Middle East (as a person--go ahead and use your apostrophe) how misinformed you were. What have you learned spending time studying this unit? Oh. And Arabian horses . Can't forget about these. Need an idea? How about an Arabian Horse story...? HOMEWORK: Please continue working on your portfolio. We will be using the lab next class (2nd period).

 After our quiz please get into groups to discuss the novel The Kite Runner . Author: Khaled Hosseini Born in 1965 in Kabul, Afghanistan, Hosseini uses his own personal history and knowledge of Afghanistan as part of the fictional events in the novel. As a child, Hosseini was preoccupied with "kite running" just like Amir is in the novel. There are various other similarities throughout the novel. Hosseini’s father was a diplomat with the Afghan Foreign Ministry, and his mother taught Farsi and history at a local high school for girls. In 1970 the Foreign Ministry sent his father to Iran. While the family only spent a few years there, Hosseini taught a Hazara man, who worked as a cook for the family, how to read and write. Khaled Hosseini was already reading Persian poetry as well as American novels, and he began writing his own short stories. The family returned to Kabul in 1973, the year Mohammad Daoud Khan overthrew his cousin, Zahir Shah, the Afghan King, in a co...

After discussing Hebrew poetry, please enjoy this shlocky adventure film from director Nathan Juran with Ray Harryhausen's fun little claymation monsters. Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958)  Portfolio work: write your own Sinbad (or a similar hero) adventure story, film script, epic or narrative poem, play, comic strip (see this link for this) Here's help: the adventure archetype (usable for any story!)

The History of Palestine: Video Please examine and research the links below. There's a lot here (as always), but select some idea or event or information about Palestine and respond creatively in a poem, play, short story, non-fiction essay, film or script, newsletter/journal article, photograph, visual art, etc. This piece should find its way (along with the Hebrew poem exercise) into your portfolio. Palestine History: Time Line   Please read some poetry from Palestinian poets. The side bar also takes you to a variety of visual artists. As a creative response, see if one of these pictures leads you to ekphrastic poetry (or practice your own visual art). Made in Palestine: a website with poetry and visual art Palestinian film is gaining much respect in the modern world. Look and examine this information for film:  Palestinian film & directors

Please watch the following flash presentation on the link below. As you watch, take notes and pay attention to the information you are receiving, as always.  The History of Israel (Flash Presentation)  After learning a little about the history of Israel, please select 2 Israeli poets and research them from the link below. For each poet, you should briefly detail "WHO" the poet is, a little bit about the poet, awards, etc. Then select at least 1-2 poems from the author and read these. Be prepared to discuss at least one of these poets in class next time. (See Homework below) Israeli Poets Here are some links about ancient Hebrew Culture and Jewish culture and history. Please use this information and research to write a CREATIVE response in the form of a reflective non-fiction essay, a poem, a play, a comic strip, a fiction piece, etc. Ancient Hebrew Culture Ancient Hebrew Language Jewish Culture and History. Hebrew Culture Homework: Research 2 Israeli poets. Be ...

Take a look at these two photos. After viewing them, write for 5 minutes in a creative response. Our image of the Middle East often comes from antiquity. We are largely outdated in our understanding of this area of the world and romanticize exotic aspects of this "foreign" land. Arabia (the ancient middle east) has a particularly rich literary history. Today we will examine various pieces from this time period. For your notes and information in regards to research, here's a few links about Arabia. Aspects of Pre-Islamic Arabian Society Pre-Islamic Arabic Culture Stories of 1001 Arabian Nights Catherine Zeta Jones in the Thousand & One Arabian Nights Tales From 1001 Arabian Nights Tale from the 1001 Arabian Nights: The Lazy Donkey

We are finishing the last three presentations today. Afterward, we will be writing in our journals and reading a variety of material from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and various Middle Eastern Areas. A Day in the Life of a Muslim Wife (part one) A Day in the Life of a Muslim Wife (part two) Saudi Arabia: Under the Veil Portfolios: I'm handing these back with a progress report for the 2nd marking period. If you would like me to write additional comments about your work, please hand in the portfolio at the end of today's class.

The Nicki Syndrome by Kadisha Phillips  Mr. P (Comic) by Zach Lohouse Magazine Project: Pop Culture project by Rachel Tobin

Today those of us who have selected to write and perform a speech will be given a few minutes to rehearse (about 10) and then we'll go at it. Speakers should remember to (and be evaluated on): --Make eye contact --Speak clearly & enunciate (no gum chewing!) --Speak loudly enough for the next room to hear you --Use gestures and facial expressions that keep in tone with your speech --Use effective pauses --Speak at a rate that is not too fast or too slow --Research the topic thoroughly to understand and communicate the issue --Write a speech that has a clear purpose that analyzes pop culture & its significance Visual aides should be used to enhance (not act as a script) the speech. Usually they are presented before or after the speech. If you're using a PowerPoint, make sure you are not READING off of the powerpoint. The Powerpoint is only meant to hit your MAIN ideas or themes. The details come from your written speech and knowledge of your subject matter. A...

Today we will be spending our time preparing for our projects and portfolios (which are due today!) in the lab. What goes into your portfolio? --Your Zombie project (if you handed this in, I already have it) --Your ghazal --Your middle eastern writings (poems, plays, short stories, essays, etc.) --Previous work that you developed or revised --Your Pop Culture Project (the writing part of it only) --Other writing projects or pieces The Rubric for your portfolio was posted on September 15. Look there for info. Please choose any of the following projects (note: some are group projects). Common Elements of the projects: A. All projects should have a Works Cited page. This is a requirement, as the project encourages and requires additional sources, books, interviews, materials, etc. Check out the link to MLA format on the link page to your right. B. All projects should have a: treatment, outline, or 1-2 page proposal. This proposal should outline the following: 1. what do I...

Today we will finish watching the film Persepolis . After the movie, down to the lab we go. Projects are due Wednesday and Friday when we return from break. Portfolios are due MONDAY, Nov. 29.

Portfolio due the Monday after Thanksgiving Break. Make a note of it. Today we will be watching Persepolis (2008). For participation credit, please watch and complete the handout as you watch. More importantly, notice how the film is a traditional bildungsroman--coming of age story. You too can write a coming of age story. Pick a culture, create a young protagonist and have that character deal with pressures of growing up. A Note about Post Colonialism