Current Event #7: Individual Topic of Your Choice

Current Event #7: 

Due: Friday, October 26, 2012

The topic for this week's current event blog assignment is one of your choice. Please refrain from using any sports or entertainment articles for your current event. Be sure to use a current and reputable information source to find an article that interests you. Your post should adhere to the following format:

What You Will Do:

1) Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:
-Your name/class period
-Title of article/author
-Source/date of article
-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)

2) Paragraph #1:
-Your summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide details about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant to the study of World History) 

3) Paragraph #2:
-Your reflection/opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)
-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article
-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)
-Pose questions/concerns about the event of your choice for others to consider

4) Lastly, select one other current event from another student, to read and provide appropriate feedback by replying to their post. This will begin an interactive component to our on-line blog for future assignments.     

Current Event #6: Pakistan's Malala: Global symbol, but still just a kid

Due: Friday, October 19th, 2012

Fourteen year-old, Malala Yousufzai has been highlighted in the news across the world recently because of a recent outbreak of violence against her by a member of the Taliban. Malala's father, an educator, taught her to stand up for her rights. In 2009, the Taliban issued an edict that all girls in her region be banned from schools. Malala spoke out, blogged and appeared in a documentary, refusing to follow their orders, which resulted in her recent tragedy.

On Tuesday, October 9, while coming home from school in a van with other schoolchildren, Taliban assassins stopped the vehicle, climbed aboard and demanded that the children identify Malala. Terrified, the children identified her and the men fired, shooting Malala in the head and neck and also wounding two other girls. As of Monday night, she was in Great Britain receiving top medical care from an international team of doctors.

Unfortunately, spokespersons have stated that the Taliban would come for her again if she manages to survive. 

What You Will Do

1) Students should read the article posted by, Ashley Fantz, at the CNN's website and view any of their videos in order to respond appropriately to the following questions in complete, detailed sentences in paragraph form.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/world/malala-profile/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

2) Share your personal thoughts regarding this unfortunate situation involving a student within your peer/age group that has succumbed to such a violent tragedy?

3) Reflect on your personal stance of standing up for what you believe in. Does this story change the way you now or will take a stand as a leader on certain topics/issues in society or within your local community?

4) If you could write a short personal note to Malala, what message of hope and/or encouragement would you give during this time in her life? 

Current Event #5: A New School of Thought in China

Current Event #5: A New School of Thought in China

Due: Friday, October 12th 

This week we are taking a look at the current state of schools and learning in China. Education is constantly changing as we speak to benefit students of today toward being productive 21^st Century citizens. The United States continues to raise its concerns to better prepare our students to achieve academic success in order to compete globally with other countries around the world. As you read the Time Magazine article by Austin Ramzy, be sure to make any comparisons or differences between yourself as a current American student to the Chinese students mentioned.   

What You Will Do:

Read the Time Magazine article discussing the first class of students at Xing Wei, a liberal-arts college in Shanghai, China. http://www.xingwei.edu.cn/En/SubNews/6a200559db8b7bdd.shtml

Answer the following questions in complete details to express your opinions based on the information presented in the article.

1.  Students in China have to undergo the gaokao, which is an all-important multi-day examination that determines where all Chinese students go to college and even what subjects they can study. Should there be such an enormous emphasis placed on students to pass high stakes tests in order to decide their future learning and training?

      2.  How does the educational system in China differ from education reform in the United States? (Ex.: PSAT/SAT/ACT testing, new common core standards, teaching critical thinking skills, etc.)

   

L    3.  Lu Fang, Vice President of Fudan University in Shanghai stated that, "Highly specialized education often ignores ethical, cultural and moral values.....Along with a lack of humanity, some students are missing a sense of social responsibility."  Explain how each of these components (ethical, cultural, and moral values) have been or are evident in your current/past school curriculum to ensure that you will have a sense of social responsibility.

Current Event #4: Indus Valley/Deja Vu?

Current Event #4: Indus Valley

Deja Vu?

People flee flooded areas in Shahdadkot, Sindh province, Pakistan, on September 28.

Due: Friday, October 5th 

In class, we have learned about the ancient Indus Valley civilizations and how archaeologists speculate that the disappearance of the Harappan twin capitals may have been the result of natural disasters such as flooding or a shifting of the plate tectonics  Thousands of years later, recent reports show how the country's notable monsoons have tragically threatened the lives and land of its people. This week our current event centers around the devastation which the wet monsoons in Pakistan has caused.

What you will do:

Read the CNN article http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/29/world/asia/pakistan-floods/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

and watch the following video to see a first hand account of the tragedy to begin forming your thoughts. 

http://cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/09/14/walsh-pakistan-flood-villages.cnn

Secondly, respond to the questions below in complete, detailed sentence, paragraphs to express your thoughts and opinions.

1. In comparison to the notable hurricanes of New Orleans, what similarities (i.e. displacement of villagers, structural damages, loss of life/crops/resources, injuries, etc.) can be drawn to compare with the recent monsoons which have occurred in Pakistan?

2. Geographically speaking, what might be possible measures or solutions the residents of Pakistan can take to perhaps secure a better structurally sound defense against the continuum of yearly floods? Provide examples of methods used by other places past and present.

3.The video features footage of the catastrophic disaster and reports that the residents have not received any aid/help or the solicitation from any government officials. How would you respond to such a calamity if you were placed in a leadership role at this time?

Current Event# 3: Future Progress: Should we Save or Destroy Ancient Site?

Current Event #3: Future Progress: Should we Save or Destroy Ancient Site?

Due: Friday, September 28th, 2012

                                 Mining operation threatens Buddhist icons

Recently, our class has been covering the histories of ancient river valley civilizations of the past. We’ve studied how each civilization must exhibit certain criteria or key features in order to be considered one of importance. As you reflect on these lessons, imagine the world today minus the great pyramids of Egypt along with a host of other monuments and natural wonders of the present world. This week, our current event focuses on the topic of saving an ancient site from being destroyed by economical progression. As you read the article, learn of how a Buddhist statue overlooks a Chinese government-owned mining compound in Logar province, Afghanistan. Mes Aynak, a 2,600-year-old Buddhist site, could be destroyed in December to create a massive copper mine.

Brent Huffman, a documentary filmmaker and assistant professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, documents that the ancient site will be destroyed by plans to mine the area. A Chinese company has granted permission to create a massive open-pit style copper mine, whereas Huffman states that Mes Aynak is a missing link showing Afghanistan's historic role in Asia. He further states that destroying Mes Aynak is equivalent to wiping Machu Picchu off the map. How do you feel about destroying historical landmarks/sites in the wake of promoting future progression?

What You Will Do?

1. First, read the article outlining the case surrounding a historical landmark in Afghanistan. After reading the article begin thinking about one historic landmark/monument that exist in the world today in order to answer the questions below. 
   http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/22/opinion/afghanistan-buddha-site-mine/index.html?hpt=wo_mid

2. State by name the historical landmark/monument that comes to your mind and explain its significance to the world and/or group of people in which it represents.

3. Analyze why you might or might not be in favor of moving forward with future progress that would lead to the destruction of structures holding significant histories tied to a land/people.

4. Evaluate the impact of losing your historical landmark/monument of choice would have on our society?

***Note: Be sure to write complete, detailed sentences in paragraph form, when you share your responses to the blog. 

Current Event# 2: Freedom of Speech

Current Event#2: Freedom of Speech 

Palestinian men in Gaza City burn the U.S. flag Wednesday to protest an anti-Islam video.

Due: Friday, September, 21st

CNN Special Contributing Author, Zeynep Tufekci, is assistant professor at the School of Information at the University of North Carolina.

The recent murder of U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens and members of his staff in Benghazi are the direct actions over a crude and offensive anti-Islam video appearing on YouTube. Zeynep Tufekci states, “The recent protests serve as a lesson about cultural clash in the Internet era — not necessarily between extremists on both sides, but rather between cultural understandings of free speech and the public sphere”.

Long gone are the days when a person needed to travel someplace new to experience a culture clash. In today’s time, one can create an immediate connection between people by way of the Internet, which can evoke a massive clash of culture. As the reporter states, America’s free-speech culture and its legal framework are unique in the world and baffling to many outside of its borders. In order to move forward, we must understand the differences between peoples and not assume that everyone else lives in the same cultural, legal and political framework.

What You Will Do:

1) Read the CNN article posted at the following web link: http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/14/why-free-speech-is-baffling-to-many/?hpt=wo_r1

2) You may refer to other articles or video pertaining to the recent American attacks to further your understanding.

3) Answer the following questions in well-organized paragraph form using complete sentences:

1) When should freedom of speech be limited when another culture/religion is at the center of discussion?

2) Should we enforce stricter regulations when it comes to posting video footage of controversial subjects on media sites such as YouTube, etc.? If so, explain the specific criteria one must follow for uploads.

3) How does this recent activity change the way we view our country’s stance on freedom of speech and how will this event shape other countries perception of the U.S.?

Current Event# 1: Remembering 9/11

Current Event# 1: Remembering 9/11

***Directions: When posting to this blog, please be sure to include your first and last name and theclass period that you are in for your entry. If you do not provide this information, Mr. Waters will not be able to credit you with a grade for any work submitted. 

Hint:

 I strongly encourage you to type your responses into a google or word document first. You can then copy and paste your assignment into blogger. This will enable you to check your spelling/grammar and also prevent you from losing your work in the event of a computer error. Blogger is NOT perfect and has been known to crash in mid sentence. Remember that you can always email me your assignment if you are having trouble with blogger.

Please feel free to read and comment on other student posts in an appropriate manner to provide an open forum of discussion. 

**Deadline/Blog Response By: Friday, September 14, 2012**

Current Event #1: As the world remembers the historic events of September 11, 2001, reflect and analyze how this changed America. This day marked a time which brought Americans together as one. This week, you should read an article about something relating to 9/11. Remember to include the link to the article you read, provide the topic of your article, and write at least 5-6 sentences discussing your opinion of the article. You may also use video clips or podcasts for your current event. In addition to your article, include the answers to the following questions in your blog response. What changes have occurred to serve as preventive safety measures. How has these changes personally affected you from a social standpoint? Do you feel that America's unity and attitude toward terrorism and foreign relations have strengthened or weakened 10 years later? Explain why or why not?