Please note that the due date coincides with the merit trip. No additional time will be granted to complete the assignment, so please complete the work early or be prepared to take a penalty (only 10% off if you complete it over the 6th or 7th, however - after that it will not be accepted for credit).
We began our discussion of World War II this last week by considering the horrific evil that was perpetrated by the Third Reich. The famous quote is “all it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.” That is not the story of the Second World War, however. Good people did much – and they literally saved the world from the kind of fear and suffering not seen on earth since the days of Genghis Khan – but this time on a much wider scale. From the underground organizations such as the White Rose to individuals hiding Jews from the Nazis, people took the initiative to do what they could to stop the spread of Nazism, and for thousands the ultimate result was death without ever knowing the outcome. Without the organized efforts of the US and our allies, however, Hitler, Mussolini, and Tojo would have been successful. Americans gave sacrificially – their sons (over 400,000 American soldiers died), their efforts, and their finances. Even Hollywood got in on the act, producing one patriotic film after another.
Studs Terkel, an American author, captured the experiences of hundreds of people who participated in World War II and compiled their stories in an awesome book entitled “The Good War”. It is obvious what his title insinuates: this was a war worth fighting. It was good versus evil, with human freedom on the line for all humanity. For us, that seems a little unbelievable – after all, no one’s ever taken our freedom. However, in other societies where freedom has been lost, oftentimes generations, even centuries, go by before authoritarianism is defeated and human rights restored.
Now, I love to read, but few books have ever captured my attention like “The Good War”. While print versions aren’t available online because of copyright restrictions, numerous sound recordings are available through the Studs Terkel website - http://www.studsterkel.org/gwar.php. If you are able to access these sound recordings (I have been unable to open them, but you might have better luck) listen to one and report your findings. Summarize and evaluate the person’s experience in World War II.
If you are unable to access the sound recordings, go to http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/afcphhtml/afcphhome.html and do your research there. (This is the Library of Congress website, and the interviews are also in audio format, but transcripts are available. Because they are unedited, they are inferior to the Terkel interviews). Click on “name” or “subject” and randomly choose an individual to research and report on. The requirements for this assignment are exactly like all the others that have preceded it.
The time has come as well to discuss your 3rd quarter bonus opportunity. Like last quarter, you may use this as a “test pass” or, more wisely, an opportunity to drop your lowest test grade of the quarter. Here’s the assignment: since we are studying World War II and will soon cover Korea and Vietnam, I would like you to interview an American vet who participated in a foreign war (World War II up to the current conflicts, any is acceptable).
You must submit your video log to this website (I’ll create a specific post) and give me a list of questions you plan on asking in advance of the interview. The interview should be about ten minutes long. If you don’t have a family member who participated in a war, ask around for friends or members of your church who can help. Your questions should focus on the individuals experience (his/her job, location, memorable events) and the lasting impact of the war on the individual. PLEASE take time to carefully plan your interview, make an appointment with the vet, be courteous and respectful. (Be sure to send a thank-you card afterwards). The best of these interviews will be made available for wider viewing, so make sure the individual knows that this video will be viewed publicly.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Homework 4, Due January 29, 2010
I left a note on last week's assignment, but most of you won't see it, so let me repeat - great job guys! I really enjoyed your posts, and some of you found powerful quotes that I hope stick with you. So many things Dr. King said made an impact, and not just because of his style of delivery. His thoughts were deep, and he spoke powerful truth in his fight for justice and equality. Most people don't realize that his final trip to Memphis was not to work on behalf of the African-American population, but rather to bring attention to the way workers, black and white, were being mistreated.
This week's assignment takes us to a topic that deserves our attention - the Great Depression. It is altogether fitting that we should be studying America's greatest financial crisis - our weakest point other than the Civil War - against the backdrop of our current economic situation. It is important to understand that for the great majority of our history our economy has been the envy of the world. Even in times of hardship, the US rarely has suffered as much as other countries have, thanks in large part to our abundant natural resources, our free-market system, and the so-called "protestant work ethic" that defines our national character. Christian morality coupled with economic and political freedom have made this country the world leader it is today - still the country more people desire to emigrate to than anywhere else on earth. (Think about that the next time you are having a down day - millions would trade place with you in a heartbeat).
We discussed in lecture that the economy works in cycles, and every factor works in relation to many others. When things start to go bad, they can get bad in a hurry; conversely, when things start to improve, the whole economy rises together. Examine this chain of events from the last five years and note how problems tend to grow until they get out of hand:
It's hard to pick a starting point, but here's a try:
1. gas prices rise for a number of reasons (war in Iraq, instability in oil-producing regions, and especially the decision to weaken the US dollar in relation to other currencies in order to close the dangerous trade deficit).
2. higher gas prices mean higher costs of production for every good and service sold in the US - groceries, clothes, cars become more expensive to buy.
3. higher prices mean that people purchase fewer things
4. factories and stores lay off workers because fewer things are being purchased.
5. Unemployment and higher prices mean that many can't pay their home mortgages, which were too high to begin with because Americans had purchased homes they couldn't afford.
6. Banks close when people stop paying their home mortgage payments.
Now, if we think about where things are headed after number six, it doesn't look good, does it? You have personally witnessed every one of these events (if you are aware of your surroundings, at least). Now, consider how the Hoover administration dealt with similar circumstances in the early 1930s: the government did nothing, believing that it was not the role of government to meddle in the economy. The banks failed and most Americans lost everything. For years America struggled, and some families never regained their financial security. Thousands died of disease and malnutrition, and tens of thousands were homeless.
Compare that to the Bush and Obama administrations (knowing that the final chapter hasn't been written, only history will tell if their efforts were successful or not): The Bush administration broke every precedent in the history books by bailing out Bear Sterns (an investment bank that had survived the Great Depression!). This began the practice of using tax-payer dollars to shore up desperate companies, especially banks and auto makers. When millions of Americans stopped paying their home mortgages, the US government (using tax dollars, of course) bailed out Fannie May (funny name, it's just a nick, but it's the company that holds most of the mortgages in America). Without this swift and unprecedented action, it is amazing to think of the terrible disaster that would have occurred. The warning note is that the government, not having enough tax dollars on hand, borrowed heavily and increased the federal debt to an amount you have to see to believe. Stop right now, open up another browser, and paste in the link http://www.usdebtclock.org/ to get an idea.
Here's the assignment:
Review the pictures posted at http://history1900s.about.com/od/photographs/tp/greatdepressionpictures.htm . Which one do you think best sums the American experience of the Great Depression?
One of the iconic notions of the Great Depression is the thousands of homeless individuals (mostly men, but including thousands of teens) who "rode the rails" - illegally jumped on trains to travel in search of work or lodging. Go to the website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rails/ and read about it. Report back on your findings.
Finally, answer the question: Do you think the recent government intervention policies will work? Why or why not?
Thanks, and happy reasearching. The requirements are the same as in every preceeding assignment. God bless!
This week's assignment takes us to a topic that deserves our attention - the Great Depression. It is altogether fitting that we should be studying America's greatest financial crisis - our weakest point other than the Civil War - against the backdrop of our current economic situation. It is important to understand that for the great majority of our history our economy has been the envy of the world. Even in times of hardship, the US rarely has suffered as much as other countries have, thanks in large part to our abundant natural resources, our free-market system, and the so-called "protestant work ethic" that defines our national character. Christian morality coupled with economic and political freedom have made this country the world leader it is today - still the country more people desire to emigrate to than anywhere else on earth. (Think about that the next time you are having a down day - millions would trade place with you in a heartbeat).
We discussed in lecture that the economy works in cycles, and every factor works in relation to many others. When things start to go bad, they can get bad in a hurry; conversely, when things start to improve, the whole economy rises together. Examine this chain of events from the last five years and note how problems tend to grow until they get out of hand:
It's hard to pick a starting point, but here's a try:
1. gas prices rise for a number of reasons (war in Iraq, instability in oil-producing regions, and especially the decision to weaken the US dollar in relation to other currencies in order to close the dangerous trade deficit).
2. higher gas prices mean higher costs of production for every good and service sold in the US - groceries, clothes, cars become more expensive to buy.
3. higher prices mean that people purchase fewer things
4. factories and stores lay off workers because fewer things are being purchased.
5. Unemployment and higher prices mean that many can't pay their home mortgages, which were too high to begin with because Americans had purchased homes they couldn't afford.
6. Banks close when people stop paying their home mortgage payments.
Now, if we think about where things are headed after number six, it doesn't look good, does it? You have personally witnessed every one of these events (if you are aware of your surroundings, at least). Now, consider how the Hoover administration dealt with similar circumstances in the early 1930s: the government did nothing, believing that it was not the role of government to meddle in the economy. The banks failed and most Americans lost everything. For years America struggled, and some families never regained their financial security. Thousands died of disease and malnutrition, and tens of thousands were homeless.
Compare that to the Bush and Obama administrations (knowing that the final chapter hasn't been written, only history will tell if their efforts were successful or not): The Bush administration broke every precedent in the history books by bailing out Bear Sterns (an investment bank that had survived the Great Depression!). This began the practice of using tax-payer dollars to shore up desperate companies, especially banks and auto makers. When millions of Americans stopped paying their home mortgages, the US government (using tax dollars, of course) bailed out Fannie May (funny name, it's just a nick, but it's the company that holds most of the mortgages in America). Without this swift and unprecedented action, it is amazing to think of the terrible disaster that would have occurred. The warning note is that the government, not having enough tax dollars on hand, borrowed heavily and increased the federal debt to an amount you have to see to believe. Stop right now, open up another browser, and paste in the link http://www.usdebtclock.org/ to get an idea.
Here's the assignment:
Review the pictures posted at http://history1900s.about.com/od/photographs/tp/greatdepressionpictures.htm . Which one do you think best sums the American experience of the Great Depression?
One of the iconic notions of the Great Depression is the thousands of homeless individuals (mostly men, but including thousands of teens) who "rode the rails" - illegally jumped on trains to travel in search of work or lodging. Go to the website http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rails/ and read about it. Report back on your findings.
Finally, answer the question: Do you think the recent government intervention policies will work? Why or why not?
Thanks, and happy reasearching. The requirements are the same as in every preceeding assignment. God bless!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Homework 3, Due January 22, 2010
This week we'll take an opportunity to look into the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since Monday is a day off in Dr. King's honor, we should consider why he is the only American recognized by name with a National Holiday, and what his life's work means to our country. Dr. King was once hated by many Americans, and was a symbol of the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Now,in addition to the national holiday, there is a statue on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. in recognition of his contribution to American society. Ask someone who was around in the late 1960s if they could have imagined that American would be as integrated as it is now (an African-American president, an African-American UK football coach at a school that once refused to recruit black athletes). How did this change occur? Perhaps no one is more responsible for breaking the walls of injustice than a young pastor from Birmingham, Alabama.
Dr. King was in his twenties when Mrs. Rosa Parks was jailed for refusing to move on a city bus. (It is often misunderstood that Mrs. Parks was asked to give up her seat for a white man, which is untrue. There were plenty of seats available, but the law said that if a white passenger got on the bus all African-American passengers had to move to the rear of the bus into a section labelled "colored". Mrs. Parks, inspired, perhaps, by the recent atrocity of the murder of a black teenager, refused to move and was arrested). Beginning with a boycott of the Birmingham bus lines, Dr. King drew national attention to the injustice of segregation and the violence with which it was often enforced. Until the day he was assassinated in 1968 Dr. King continued to lead a peaceful movement for justice.
This week's assignment is to research the life and legacy of Dr. King and report your findings. Keep your focus on Dr. King, for we will do two homework lessons on the larger Civil Rights movement during the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Here are some suggested sites you may research:
For a list of Dr. King's quotations, see http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth297519.html
For a biographical introduction and timeline of Dr. King's life, see http://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
To hear some of Dr. King's speeches you may visit http://www.mlkonline.net/sounds.html
Answer one or more of the following questions: Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today? Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled (referring to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech)? What principles led Dr. King to lead the Civil Rights movement as he did?
The assignment caries the same requirements as all those that have preceded it. A reminder: cite your sources if you use a reference other than those given above.
Perhaps the best way to remember Dr. King is to follow his example of social involvement. Too many Americans are quick to speak volumes of criticism but slow to get involved and make a difference. As Christians we are instructed to ease the suffering of those who are miserable, and the Bible calls on us to "love justice". Our missions theme this year will come from Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up!" I challenge you to make a positive difference in your community this week.
Dr. King was in his twenties when Mrs. Rosa Parks was jailed for refusing to move on a city bus. (It is often misunderstood that Mrs. Parks was asked to give up her seat for a white man, which is untrue. There were plenty of seats available, but the law said that if a white passenger got on the bus all African-American passengers had to move to the rear of the bus into a section labelled "colored". Mrs. Parks, inspired, perhaps, by the recent atrocity of the murder of a black teenager, refused to move and was arrested). Beginning with a boycott of the Birmingham bus lines, Dr. King drew national attention to the injustice of segregation and the violence with which it was often enforced. Until the day he was assassinated in 1968 Dr. King continued to lead a peaceful movement for justice.
This week's assignment is to research the life and legacy of Dr. King and report your findings. Keep your focus on Dr. King, for we will do two homework lessons on the larger Civil Rights movement during the month of February in honor of Black History Month. Here are some suggested sites you may research:
For a list of Dr. King's quotations, see http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth297519.html
For a biographical introduction and timeline of Dr. King's life, see http://www.mlkonline.net/bio.html
To hear some of Dr. King's speeches you may visit http://www.mlkonline.net/sounds.html
Answer one or more of the following questions: Had there been no Dr. King, how might America be different today? Has Dr. King's dream been fulfilled (referring to his famous "I Have a Dream" speech)? What principles led Dr. King to lead the Civil Rights movement as he did?
The assignment caries the same requirements as all those that have preceded it. A reminder: cite your sources if you use a reference other than those given above.
Perhaps the best way to remember Dr. King is to follow his example of social involvement. Too many Americans are quick to speak volumes of criticism but slow to get involved and make a difference. As Christians we are instructed to ease the suffering of those who are miserable, and the Bible calls on us to "love justice". Our missions theme this year will come from Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up!" I challenge you to make a positive difference in your community this week.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Homework 2, Due Jan 15, 2010
I hope you have enjoyed our lecture and discussion concerning World War I. It is, to me, one of the most important turning points in history (which you will see, I hope, as we move on to discuss its aftermath). Unfortunately, many people do not know much about it, and we seem dangerously close to re-learning some of the war's lessons the hard way. Maybe some day there will be a memorial on the mall in Washington, D.C., or a national museum to educate students about US contributions to the war efforts. Unfortunately, none of this will be accomplished in time for a World War I veteran to see it, for the last US veteran of the war recently died. (You can read an interesting article about him at http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/feb/06/frank-buckles-americas-last-living-world-war-i-vet/ published in 2008).
But there was a great deal of other things going on in the US during those days and the years following, leading to the "hay days" that were known as the "Roaring 20s". For example, in an attempt to clean up New Orleans, the state of Louisianna banned the playing of jazz music (because so much of it was played in places where great sin was being committed), and thereby instigated America's first wave of popular music. All of those tremendous black musicians and singers moved to New York and Chicago, and their music came to American homes via new technology that was all the rage: radio and the phonograph. The "jazz age" - where European harmony melded with African rhythm to create a new American sound - would lead to the creation or modification of just about every style of music we listen to today.
Follow the link http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_subj.html and choose two topics to report. You might do some additional research to find examples of some of the music or radio shows that were popular at the time (if you choose to read about those topics) and include links for others to follow. Your essay must be at least 200 words and is due by midnight, Friday, January 15. At least two responses, totalling 150 words, are due by Sunday January 17. Best of luck in your research, and enjoy learning about an exciting time in US history!
But there was a great deal of other things going on in the US during those days and the years following, leading to the "hay days" that were known as the "Roaring 20s". For example, in an attempt to clean up New Orleans, the state of Louisianna banned the playing of jazz music (because so much of it was played in places where great sin was being committed), and thereby instigated America's first wave of popular music. All of those tremendous black musicians and singers moved to New York and Chicago, and their music came to American homes via new technology that was all the rage: radio and the phonograph. The "jazz age" - where European harmony melded with African rhythm to create a new American sound - would lead to the creation or modification of just about every style of music we listen to today.
Follow the link http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/jazz/jb_jazz_subj.html and choose two topics to report. You might do some additional research to find examples of some of the music or radio shows that were popular at the time (if you choose to read about those topics) and include links for others to follow. Your essay must be at least 200 words and is due by midnight, Friday, January 15. At least two responses, totalling 150 words, are due by Sunday January 17. Best of luck in your research, and enjoy learning about an exciting time in US history!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Q3 Homework 1, Due January 11
Welcome back! It's been several weeks since the last homework assignment, so this one will serve to get you back in the swing of things. Some of you failed to keep up with your homework in the previous quarter which caused serious damage to grades. Just a friendly note to warn you that I will not be accepting late homework from this point on. Homework posted no more than three days after the due date will receive a maximum of 50% credit. After three days the work will not be accepted for credit. By now most of you are in the habit of keeping up with your work and this will not be a problem for you.
Our focus this week is on World War I. Prior to the Second World War, WWI was simply referred to as "The Great War". Imagine - it involved more people, caused more deaths and destruction, and had a greater cost than all the previous wars of the world in human history combined! (Foreshadowing...World War II was more than twice the size of World War I!). It was a war of previously unimaginable proportions. Thanks to the advances in transportation and technology it became possible for the first time for the US to participate on a large scale in a war in Europe. The fighting was changed, as well. Previously soldiers had marched or rode horses onto the field of battle and killed each other with swords and small, inaccurate guns. World War I would introduce tanks, airplanes, poisonous gases, and greatly improved artillery and small arms.
Although we are studying US History, from this point on it will become increasingly evident that the story of America is inextricably tied to that of the entire world. The US, which had practiced isolationism since the days of Washington, would become a world power for the first time - and has been ever since. America discovered that we had grown to become a powerful force in the arena of foreign affairs. Take a minute to think about it - our ancestors, who immigrated here because they were poor, deprived of liberty, and promised nothing but opportunity, built a nation that would turn around and determine the future of freedom in the "old world". That, to me, is the amazing part of the American story.
Out of World War I would come the League of Nations - predecessor to the United Nations. While the UN is hobbled by politics today and has become increasingly unpopular in the US, your assignment this week is to answer the following question: Does the world need the United Nations? If so, identify three things that the UN can accomplish better than individual nations working independently. If not, why not? Identify three reasons why you believe an organization of nations is actually a bad thing. Your essay must be at least 200 words. Comment at least twice (a minimum of 150 words) on the opinions of others. Cite your sources.
I hope your Christmas break was wonderful - here's hoping for a great new year! God bless!
Ps: don't forget to visit www.akers-scs.blogspot.com for lesson plans!
Our focus this week is on World War I. Prior to the Second World War, WWI was simply referred to as "The Great War". Imagine - it involved more people, caused more deaths and destruction, and had a greater cost than all the previous wars of the world in human history combined! (Foreshadowing...World War II was more than twice the size of World War I!). It was a war of previously unimaginable proportions. Thanks to the advances in transportation and technology it became possible for the first time for the US to participate on a large scale in a war in Europe. The fighting was changed, as well. Previously soldiers had marched or rode horses onto the field of battle and killed each other with swords and small, inaccurate guns. World War I would introduce tanks, airplanes, poisonous gases, and greatly improved artillery and small arms.
Although we are studying US History, from this point on it will become increasingly evident that the story of America is inextricably tied to that of the entire world. The US, which had practiced isolationism since the days of Washington, would become a world power for the first time - and has been ever since. America discovered that we had grown to become a powerful force in the arena of foreign affairs. Take a minute to think about it - our ancestors, who immigrated here because they were poor, deprived of liberty, and promised nothing but opportunity, built a nation that would turn around and determine the future of freedom in the "old world". That, to me, is the amazing part of the American story.
Out of World War I would come the League of Nations - predecessor to the United Nations. While the UN is hobbled by politics today and has become increasingly unpopular in the US, your assignment this week is to answer the following question: Does the world need the United Nations? If so, identify three things that the UN can accomplish better than individual nations working independently. If not, why not? Identify three reasons why you believe an organization of nations is actually a bad thing. Your essay must be at least 200 words. Comment at least twice (a minimum of 150 words) on the opinions of others. Cite your sources.
I hope your Christmas break was wonderful - here's hoping for a great new year! God bless!
Ps: don't forget to visit www.akers-scs.blogspot.com for lesson plans!
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