How would you describe war today? Choose one aspect of war in our society, and then write a vivid and concrete description of that aspect. This description must come from your individual and unique perspective, and it must include both examples and explanations.
Here are some ideas to help you begin thinking, but I encourage you to choose an aspect of your own (not necessary related to these questions):
- How does the news media today portray war? How does this portrayal influence our society and our society's reactions to war? How does it influence your opinions about war?
- How does war today influence soldiers and/or their families and friends.
- How do TV shows and movies today portray war? How does this portrayal influence your perspective of war?
- How do politicians today shape your views of war?
Discuss your ideas in relation to your classmates' posts, but DO NOT repeat your classmates' ideas.
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20th.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
2-5: Blogging about War
Find a current (from 2010 or 2011) blog or article about war; the focus could be on either a present-day war or a past war. Include the blog or article's url so that we can go to the site; include the title of the blog or article; if you use a blog, include the date(s) of the entry or entries you read. Use the following questions to guide your comments:
- What opinions does the writer express?
- What reasons does the writer give for these opinions?
- Do the writer's opinions surprise you? Why or why not?
- What insights does the blog provide into the effects of war on individuals and/ or on society?
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12th.
- What opinions does the writer express?
- What reasons does the writer give for these opinions?
- Do the writer's opinions surprise you? Why or why not?
- What insights does the blog provide into the effects of war on individuals and/ or on society?
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 12th.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
2-4 B: Christmas Viewing
'Tis the time to wrap presents, sing carols, visit family, and . . . watch movies! Your task is to recommend a movie to your classmates. Of course, you should not give away the ending or other essential information that would ruin someone's viewing pleasure, but you DO need to "sell" the movie to your peers by making it sound enticing and irresistible to your classmates. Make sure that you include specific ideas from the movie and that you let us know what interests will be sparked by this movie (in other words, into what categories would you put the movie? Why?). DO NOT write about ANY movie discussed in Blog 2-3!!!
This response might require 1 long paragraph instead of 2 paragraphs, but your response must still be detailed and developed!
No more than THREE people may recommend the same movie; if you DO recommend the same movie as one or two other people, DO NOT include any of the same ideas as those other people (I would prefer that each person recommends a different movie).
Please note (if you have not done so already) that the directions DO NOT say that the movie needs to be a Christmas movie; it just needs to be a movie that you recommend people watch over the break.
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4th.
This response might require 1 long paragraph instead of 2 paragraphs, but your response must still be detailed and developed!
No more than THREE people may recommend the same movie; if you DO recommend the same movie as one or two other people, DO NOT include any of the same ideas as those other people (I would prefer that each person recommends a different movie).
Please note (if you have not done so already) that the directions DO NOT say that the movie needs to be a Christmas movie; it just needs to be a movie that you recommend people watch over the break.
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4th.
2-4 A: Christmas Reading
'Tis the time to wrap presents, sing carols, visit family, and . . . read! Your task is to recommend a book to your classmates. Of course, you should not give away the ending or other essential information that would ruin someone's reading pleasure, but you DO need to "sell" the book to your peers by making it sound enticing and irresistible to your classmates. Make sure that you include specific ideas from the book and that you let us know what interests will be sparked by this book (in other words, into what categories would you put the book? Why?).
This response might require 1 long paragraph instead of 2 paragraphs, but your response must still be detailed and developed!
No more than THREE people may recommend the same book; if you DO recommend the same book as one or two other people, DO NOT include any of the same ideas as those other people (I would prefer that each person recommends a different book).
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4th.
This response might require 1 long paragraph instead of 2 paragraphs, but your response must still be detailed and developed!
No more than THREE people may recommend the same book; if you DO recommend the same book as one or two other people, DO NOT include any of the same ideas as those other people (I would prefer that each person recommends a different book).
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4th.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
2-3 B: The War of the Christmas Carols
Everyone loves Christmas songs, right? Whether chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, you're riding in a one-horse open sleigh, or shepherds are watching their flocks by night, Christmas music is guaranteed to put a smile on your face . . . except when it doesn't.
Choose the “best” or the “worst” Christmas carol or Christmas song and defend your opinion/ position with specific arguments and details from the song. Consider elements such as lyrics, melody, rhythm, singer(s), message, etc. Of course, one person’s favorite Christmas song might be another person’s least favorite Christmas song, so I imagine we’ll see some debates develop in the responses.
As always, DO NOT repeat your classmates' ideas. If you need to, please discuss your second or third favorite (or least favorite) Christmas song (assuming other people "steal" your ideas).
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m on Tuesday, December 21st.2-3 A: The War of the Christmas Movies
What is the best Christmas movie/ show ever? What is the worst? Is there one Christmas movie that you just HAVE to watch each year . . . or one show that you avoid at all costs? For better or for worse, what makes the show stand out? The story? The characters? The style? Something else?
Choose ONE movie (best OR worst, not both), and craft persuasive arguments (supported, of course, by evidence) that convince us to agree with your perspective. DO NOT repeat your classmates' ideas; if you choose the same show as someone else, make sure you present different arguments and evidence; if you have nothing new to say about that show, choose a different one!
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m on Tuesday, December 21st.
Choose ONE movie (best OR worst, not both), and craft persuasive arguments (supported, of course, by evidence) that convince us to agree with your perspective. DO NOT repeat your classmates' ideas; if you choose the same show as someone else, make sure you present different arguments and evidence; if you have nothing new to say about that show, choose a different one!
All responses are due by 4:00 p.m on Tuesday, December 21st.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
2-2 B: Danger and Fighting
Choose ONE of the following quotes. Agree or disagree with the quote, clearly explaining the reason for your position. Support your reasoning by explaining 1-2 specific examples that support your views. These examples may come from your life, history, society, literature, movies, TV, etc. Include the quote as the first sentence in your post so that everyone knows which quote you chose.
1. “People who fight fire with fire usually end up with ashes.” - Abigail Van Buren
2. “If there be no enemy there's no fight. If no fight, no victory and if no victory there is no crown.” - Sir Thomas Carlyle
3.”Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.” - Machiavelli
4. “Fighting is like champagne. It goes to the heads of cowards as quickly as of heroes. Any fool can be brave on a battlefield when it's be brave or else be killed” - Margaret Mitchell
2. “If there be no enemy there's no fight. If no fight, no victory and if no victory there is no crown.” - Sir Thomas Carlyle
3.”Princes and governments are far more dangerous than other elements within society.” - Machiavelli
4. “Fighting is like champagne. It goes to the heads of cowards as quickly as of heroes. Any fool can be brave on a battlefield when it's be brave or else be killed” - Margaret Mitchell
Reminder 1: DO NOT repeat your classmates’ ideas or examples, but DO discuss your ideas in relation to theirs. Make sure you read your classmates’ responses carefully before posting your own!
Reminder 2: Your response must include at least 2 full paragraphs of developed and well-supported analysis!
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