Monday, December 10, 2012
Homework 6, Due December 14, 2012
Your assignment this week will be the last of the semester - you're almost halfway done! This week we will be discussing the English Civil War known as the War of the Roses. Your assignment is to research a battle or important individual and report your findings. You will find important information to get you started at the site http://warsoftheroses.com/ . Remember that you will receive no points for plagiarized material! The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those that preceded it. I hope you enjoy it!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Homework 5, Due December 7, 2012
The purpose of this class is to teach you valuable information
about our western culture and cause you to think more deeply about our present
and future. In this week's assignment we will continue our study of the Renaissance,
specifically focusing on the tremendous art work that was created. I would like
you to begin by reading an overview of the period found at the link
http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/ and comparing the Renaissance
period to today. How are we different? How are we alike?
Then look at the artwork found at http://history.hanover.edu/courses/art/111ren.html . Select a single piece of artwork that appeals to you and introduce it in your essay. Who was the artist and when was the work created? Where was the work created/where is it today (if it is mobile)? Why does this particular piece appeal to you?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those for all preceding assignments. God bless!
Then look at the artwork found at http://history.hanover.edu/courses/art/111ren.html . Select a single piece of artwork that appeals to you and introduce it in your essay. Who was the artist and when was the work created? Where was the work created/where is it today (if it is mobile)? Why does this particular piece appeal to you?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as those for all preceding assignments. God bless!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Homework 4, Due Nov 30, 2012
Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! Only a few weeks left in the semester, so
be sure to keep up with your assignments! We'll be studying some very
interesting history over the next few weeks, and I know you'll be interested in
some of the individuals we discuss. One such individual is a true "Renaissance
Man" - Galileo.
As most of you already know, Galileo was, among other things, a scientist who was tried for an unusual crime (by today's standards) - teaching "non-biblical" beliefs, namely that the earth orbited the sun! Although he was convicted and forced to publicly declare that he had been wrong, he was never tortured or imprisoned (his principle punishment was the requirement that he do penance, which his daughter did for him). Since no equipment had been invented that allowed anyone to see the orbits, both sides based their arguments on other things, such as math (both sides were wrong) and the interpretation of scriptures. So how did this get started?
As we learned previously, the discovery of ancient Greek and Roman history by the Crusaders absolutely revolutionized Europe. In a few short centuries Europe would go from being woefully primitive in comparison to the Arabs, Chinese and Indians (people from India), to being the dominant military, commercial, and educational force in the world. However, it's important to point out the the ancient Greeks and Romans weren't exactly foolproof - their own information was sometimes nothing more than an educated guess. The biggest perpetrator was Aristotle himself. The great man is responsible for so much wisdom and creativity, but his greatest contributions to history are probably the things he got wrong! For example, he believed that the heart circulated air through the body, not blood. For centuries, despite the increasing evidence to the contrary, many people refused to accept the fact that Aristotle was wrong. And he had another guess that was wrong also - the order of the universe.
Aristotle was at least inciteful enough to realize that many of the ancient myths about the night sky were wrong, but he was responsible for convincing many people that the earth stood still and the sun, moon and stars orbited around it. The Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy claimed to have proof that Aristotle was right (therefore the earth-centered theory was called the Ptolemaic Model). When this theory was brought back from the Crusades in the 1300s, many Europeans automatically accepted that it was true, and even found scripture that, the believed, backed up his assertions. For example, Psalm 93:1: “Thou hast fixed the earth immovable and firm ...” and Psalm 96:10: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable ...”.
Although the 16th century astronomer Copernicus described a "heliocentric", or sun-centered, universe as being the only model that explained the movement of the stars, by the time people were exposed to this view the Ptolemaic Model was considered sacred. When Galileo Galilei came along, he wrote a book called "Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences" in which he had two smart characters (one believed the Copernican Model, the other was smart enough to listen to him) and one character that was obviously supposed to be simple (named Simplicio), and he argued for the geocentric model with ridiculous and shallow arguments. It was open opposition to what the Catholic Church held to be true, and the dumb character seemed to resemble the Pope (Galileo's longtime, and soon to be ex-, friend).
Galileo's trial in the 1630s was complex because a great deal of politics was involved and ended in the manner I mentioned earlier. Within fifty years of his death the Catholic Church reversed its decision and embraced the Copernican Model (of course, we know now that neither the sun nor the earth is fixed, nor is our solar system the center of the universe). Why it concerns us today is that we still face questions about the compatability of scripture and science. While many people today embrace faulty science in order to argue that the Bible isn't true, we Christians have seen over and over that science proves the Bible's teaching.
Your assignment this week is to consider the story of Galileo and answer the following questions: How should Christians have acted toward the Copernical Model in the 1600s, and why? If the scriptures in Psalms do not imply that the earth literally stands still, what do they mean? (you'll need to read the verses around them for context). And, finally, what can Christians do today to ensure that mistakes like these don't occur again?
I look forward to reading your answers. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those that have preceded it. Thanks and have a good week!
As most of you already know, Galileo was, among other things, a scientist who was tried for an unusual crime (by today's standards) - teaching "non-biblical" beliefs, namely that the earth orbited the sun! Although he was convicted and forced to publicly declare that he had been wrong, he was never tortured or imprisoned (his principle punishment was the requirement that he do penance, which his daughter did for him). Since no equipment had been invented that allowed anyone to see the orbits, both sides based their arguments on other things, such as math (both sides were wrong) and the interpretation of scriptures. So how did this get started?
As we learned previously, the discovery of ancient Greek and Roman history by the Crusaders absolutely revolutionized Europe. In a few short centuries Europe would go from being woefully primitive in comparison to the Arabs, Chinese and Indians (people from India), to being the dominant military, commercial, and educational force in the world. However, it's important to point out the the ancient Greeks and Romans weren't exactly foolproof - their own information was sometimes nothing more than an educated guess. The biggest perpetrator was Aristotle himself. The great man is responsible for so much wisdom and creativity, but his greatest contributions to history are probably the things he got wrong! For example, he believed that the heart circulated air through the body, not blood. For centuries, despite the increasing evidence to the contrary, many people refused to accept the fact that Aristotle was wrong. And he had another guess that was wrong also - the order of the universe.
Aristotle was at least inciteful enough to realize that many of the ancient myths about the night sky were wrong, but he was responsible for convincing many people that the earth stood still and the sun, moon and stars orbited around it. The Egyptian astronomer Ptolemy claimed to have proof that Aristotle was right (therefore the earth-centered theory was called the Ptolemaic Model). When this theory was brought back from the Crusades in the 1300s, many Europeans automatically accepted that it was true, and even found scripture that, the believed, backed up his assertions. For example, Psalm 93:1: “Thou hast fixed the earth immovable and firm ...” and Psalm 96:10: “He has fixed the earth firm, immovable ...”.
Although the 16th century astronomer Copernicus described a "heliocentric", or sun-centered, universe as being the only model that explained the movement of the stars, by the time people were exposed to this view the Ptolemaic Model was considered sacred. When Galileo Galilei came along, he wrote a book called "Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences" in which he had two smart characters (one believed the Copernican Model, the other was smart enough to listen to him) and one character that was obviously supposed to be simple (named Simplicio), and he argued for the geocentric model with ridiculous and shallow arguments. It was open opposition to what the Catholic Church held to be true, and the dumb character seemed to resemble the Pope (Galileo's longtime, and soon to be ex-, friend).
Galileo's trial in the 1630s was complex because a great deal of politics was involved and ended in the manner I mentioned earlier. Within fifty years of his death the Catholic Church reversed its decision and embraced the Copernican Model (of course, we know now that neither the sun nor the earth is fixed, nor is our solar system the center of the universe). Why it concerns us today is that we still face questions about the compatability of scripture and science. While many people today embrace faulty science in order to argue that the Bible isn't true, we Christians have seen over and over that science proves the Bible's teaching.
Your assignment this week is to consider the story of Galileo and answer the following questions: How should Christians have acted toward the Copernical Model in the 1600s, and why? If the scriptures in Psalms do not imply that the earth literally stands still, what do they mean? (you'll need to read the verses around them for context). And, finally, what can Christians do today to ensure that mistakes like these don't occur again?
I look forward to reading your answers. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those that have preceded it. Thanks and have a good week!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Homework 3, Due November 16, 2012
As we've studied the history of Christianity in the days of the Roman Empire and
the centuries after its fall, I hope you've had an opportunity to consider the
incredible price that was paid by early Christians as they faced terrible
persecution for their beliefs. The bravery of these men and women is astounding,
and modern Christians should be mindful that we have the Word of God preserved
only by His grace and their faithfulness. Of course, people are still being
martyred and imprisoned today for their Christian beliefs.
This week I'd like you to research a Christian martyr and share his/her story along with a personal lesson we can learn from them. Here are a couple of good websites you can access to begin your work.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/foxes/findex.htm
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/voice-of-the-martyrs.htm
Remember that your response must be at least 250 words and that you must respond to at least two others (a total of 150 words). Failure to complete your homework assignments can have a dire effect on your grade!
This week I'd like you to research a Christian martyr and share his/her story along with a personal lesson we can learn from them. Here are a couple of good websites you can access to begin your work.
http://www.biblebelievers.com/foxes/findex.htm
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/voice-of-the-martyrs.htm
Remember that your response must be at least 250 words and that you must respond to at least two others (a total of 150 words). Failure to complete your homework assignments can have a dire effect on your grade!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
October 29 - November 2, 2012
In honor of the state championships won in soccer and jv/varsity volleyball, and the upcoming state championship in cross country and national championships to be won this week, I think this is a good week to take a break from the regular homework grind. This will stand in the place of a homework pass previously mentioned in regard to the volleyball state tournament. Instead, if you'd like to write an essay about the Reformation and post it this week, it will take the place of any future assignment this quarter that you choose. Remember, it was on October 31, Reformation Day, that Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the cathedral in Wittenburg, Germany. Your essay can be about Luther or any other reformer; it must be 250 words but requires no responses to anyone else's essay. God bless!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Homework 2, Due October 26, 2012
Because I'll be participating in the Jr/Sr Retreat this weekend I need to post this assignment a little early. Last week's homework assignment was very well done by so many of you!
Congratulations on your research and on taking a stand. Remember, there's no
reason why politics should intimidate you; it's your RIGHT to have an opinion
and to express it freely. If someone else wants to get angry and act childishly
that shouldn't convince you to not participate! By backing down you give up your
right to participate in the democratic process.
This week's assignment will focus on a less-controversial subject, though. When you think of Ancient Rome it is likely that you picture the incredible architecture and artwork that continues to exist and inspire us today. Your assignment is to follow one of the following links and choose a Roman piece of artwork or architecture to share with us. What was the initial purpose of your topic? Does it exist today? What is special/unusual about it? Why did you choose this specific example?
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-architecture/index.htm
Take time to choose your selection carefully and share what you've learned!
This week's assignment will focus on a less-controversial subject, though. When you think of Ancient Rome it is likely that you picture the incredible architecture and artwork that continues to exist and inspire us today. Your assignment is to follow one of the following links and choose a Roman piece of artwork or architecture to share with us. What was the initial purpose of your topic? Does it exist today? What is special/unusual about it? Why did you choose this specific example?
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/
http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-architecture/index.htm
Take time to choose your selection carefully and share what you've learned!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Homework 1, Due October 19, 2012
As we continue our discussion of the history of Rome I want you to consider the
enormous amount of dedication and sacrifice it must have taken for the
democratic system to have been adopted - and then notice how quickly the Romans
lost it with the dawn of the age of emperors. The right to choose our
representatives in government is sacred and includes an incredible
responsibility. Voters absolutely must make an honest effort to understand the
issues and carefully consider the longterm effects of the proposed plans in
order to make a reasonable choice. For example, polls conducted this week on
college campuses in states where key elections are being held found that many of
the students were unaware of the positions of the candidates - on issues the
students said they cared about! (I suppose we can all be thankful that the youth
voter turnout is consistently low).
This week's assignment is an exercise in democracy. I want you to visit the site http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/fullpage?id=17012629 to view an analysis of the upcoming election. Then I want you to choose any election on the ABC News site and report back on it. Who is the incumbent, who is the challenger (include the party affiliation) and who does ABC News think will win? Then find a news story about the campaign and share what you learn (cite your source). Finally, tell us who you think should be elected (or good/bad points about both candidates if you wish to keep your politics a secret).
Remember that the minimum requirement is 250 words - you don't have to write a book! Your responses to your classmates have been good; keep up the good work!
This week's assignment is an exercise in democracy. I want you to visit the site http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Elections/fullpage?id=17012629 to view an analysis of the upcoming election. Then I want you to choose any election on the ABC News site and report back on it. Who is the incumbent, who is the challenger (include the party affiliation) and who does ABC News think will win? Then find a news story about the campaign and share what you learn (cite your source). Finally, tell us who you think should be elected (or good/bad points about both candidates if you wish to keep your politics a secret).
Remember that the minimum requirement is 250 words - you don't have to write a book! Your responses to your classmates have been good; keep up the good work!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Homework 8, Due Oct 5, 2012
For much of last week and during the upcoming week we will be studying the greatest western empire of
all time - the empire of ancient Rome. So much of western culture is derived
from Rome - our languages, laws and politics, and even forms of recreation. Of
course, as you've already noted, Rome was built on the heritage of other
cultures that came earlier, but nowhere else do we see all these special western
traits come together quite like the Roman empire. You might know, for example,
that the Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian languages are all
derived from the old Latin (called "vulgar Latin" because it was the language of
the common people). You might even know that half of the modern English language
is directly descended from the vulgar Latin (we'll discuss why when we talk
about the history of England). But did you know that most of the major European
cities today are built on the locations of Roman military forts? At the peak of
the Roman Empire, not only did Rome control the Mediterranean world and the
Middle East, but also North Africa and almost all of western Europe.
If you are a native of Kentucky it is likely that you have very little Roman ancestry, however. It is more likely that your ancestors (and mine) were uncivilized people like the Gaelic (or Celtic) or Germanic tribes. So how did the culture of Rome become the basis for the culture for all the rest of the European people groups? Well, that's an important topic we'll discuss in lecture over the next few days.
Your assignment for this week is to research life in ancient Rome and identify ways that Romans were SIMILAR TO residents of modern Somerset. Go to www.worldbookonline.com (choose the student section) and find the article "Rome, ancient" (found at the link http://worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar474350&st=life+in+ancient+rome ). You will have to sign in to World Book: your id is "scs" and your password is "cougars". Identify and discuss two topics of similarities that you find.
Remember that your essay must be at least 250 words and you must leave comments on the essays of at least two others (totally 150 words). Your essays are due Friday evening by midnight; the responses are due Sunday evening by midnight. Give it your best effort!
If you are a native of Kentucky it is likely that you have very little Roman ancestry, however. It is more likely that your ancestors (and mine) were uncivilized people like the Gaelic (or Celtic) or Germanic tribes. So how did the culture of Rome become the basis for the culture for all the rest of the European people groups? Well, that's an important topic we'll discuss in lecture over the next few days.
Your assignment for this week is to research life in ancient Rome and identify ways that Romans were SIMILAR TO residents of modern Somerset. Go to www.worldbookonline.com (choose the student section) and find the article "Rome, ancient" (found at the link http://worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar474350&st=life+in+ancient+rome ). You will have to sign in to World Book: your id is "scs" and your password is "cougars". Identify and discuss two topics of similarities that you find.
Remember that your essay must be at least 250 words and you must leave comments on the essays of at least two others (totally 150 words). Your essays are due Friday evening by midnight; the responses are due Sunday evening by midnight. Give it your best effort!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Homework 7, Due September 28, 2012
As we study the history of western culture, you should notice that there are two kinds of governments - limited and unlimited. A limited government is obliged to obey laws established by a constitution and to recognise that some powers belong to people and organizations outside the government. An unlimited government, by comparison, has no obligation to obey laws (laws are only for citizens) and controls all rights and authority. The government of the US is definitely limited - our constitution is the supreme source of authority, and it guarantees certain rights for all citizens. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't "gray areas" - times when the government and some citizens disagree about who is in charge. In those instances the disagreement is usually settled in the court system. (While the courts are technically part of the government, they are designed to work independently, meaning that no one, not even the president or congress, can tell the courts how to do their business or what their decisions should be). The relationship between the government and the governed (that's us) is constantly evolving, making the decisions of the court system extremely important to all of us.
This week's assignment is to do some research about current events in the Middle East and specifically about a disagreement that has arisen between the US government and the news organization CNN. First go to the link http://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161491148/libyan-militiaman-says-he-warned-u-s-of-dangers to read about recent protests and attacks against Americans in the Middle East, and then go to the link http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/09/22/cnn-posts-report-on-diary-slain-ambassador-stevens-us-state-dept-says-family/ to read about the dispute. In your essay, answer the following questions:
1) According to the US government, what has caused the recent violence? Are there other common opinions about the causes?
2) How do you think the US should respond to these attacks? Why?
3) Was CNN right in releasing the information from the diary of US Envoy Christopher Stevens? What were the issues you think they considered before they made the decision to publish the information? What ultimately led to the publication?
This is an opportunity for you to gain further understanding of current events and to weigh the important balance between freedom of the press and the trouble "too much information" can cause. Give this some thought and provide meaningful feedback to your classmates. The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as all those that preceded it.
This week's assignment is to do some research about current events in the Middle East and specifically about a disagreement that has arisen between the US government and the news organization CNN. First go to the link http://www.npr.org/2012/09/20/161491148/libyan-militiaman-says-he-warned-u-s-of-dangers to read about recent protests and attacks against Americans in the Middle East, and then go to the link http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/09/22/cnn-posts-report-on-diary-slain-ambassador-stevens-us-state-dept-says-family/ to read about the dispute. In your essay, answer the following questions:
1) According to the US government, what has caused the recent violence? Are there other common opinions about the causes?
2) How do you think the US should respond to these attacks? Why?
3) Was CNN right in releasing the information from the diary of US Envoy Christopher Stevens? What were the issues you think they considered before they made the decision to publish the information? What ultimately led to the publication?
This is an opportunity for you to gain further understanding of current events and to weigh the important balance between freedom of the press and the trouble "too much information" can cause. Give this some thought and provide meaningful feedback to your classmates. The requirements for this assignment are exactly the same as all those that preceded it.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Homework 6, Due September 21, 2012
Perhaps the most important contribution of ancient Greece to modern western
culture is the concept of government "by the people." Throughout history in many
cultures the ability to govern has belonged to powerful minorities (not necessarily ethnic minorities, just small groups of people) that
maintained their position by dominating society with overwhelming power. This
concept led to abuses and inequalities that could usually only be corrected by
revolution and violence. The Athenians imagined a new power structure - one that
can best be described as an "employee government". Government officials are
"hired" by the citizens and can be "fired" just as easily.
The practice of democracy in Greece was not exactly like the democracies of today. Because the citizens of a city-state like Athens lived in a relatively small geographic region it was possible for the decision makers to meet in a public forum to discuss the pressing concerns of the day. Imagine if you will what it would be like if all the decisions concerning taxes, war, and building projects for Pulaski County were made in public votes held at the Center for Rural Development. Can you imagine the community involvement and the passionate advocacy that would take place? By comparison, in the modern US democratic system the citizens are so spread out and so numerous that it is impossible for everyone to meet (that's why we choose representatives to speak for us in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.), and often people feel that decisions made in government only barely affect them.
This week's assignment is to visit the following British Broadcasting Company website and read about government in ancient Greece:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/greekdemocracy_01.shtml
Answer the questions: Should democracy be updated to better serve US citizens? With the invention of the internet, how could our political system be modernized to become more accessible to citizens?
Your work this past week was especially good - keep it up! Have a good week.
The practice of democracy in Greece was not exactly like the democracies of today. Because the citizens of a city-state like Athens lived in a relatively small geographic region it was possible for the decision makers to meet in a public forum to discuss the pressing concerns of the day. Imagine if you will what it would be like if all the decisions concerning taxes, war, and building projects for Pulaski County were made in public votes held at the Center for Rural Development. Can you imagine the community involvement and the passionate advocacy that would take place? By comparison, in the modern US democratic system the citizens are so spread out and so numerous that it is impossible for everyone to meet (that's why we choose representatives to speak for us in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.), and often people feel that decisions made in government only barely affect them.
This week's assignment is to visit the following British Broadcasting Company website and read about government in ancient Greece:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/greekdemocracy_01.shtml
Answer the questions: Should democracy be updated to better serve US citizens? With the invention of the internet, how could our political system be modernized to become more accessible to citizens?
Your work this past week was especially good - keep it up! Have a good week.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Homework 5, Due September 14, 2012
This week we will begin our study of ancient Greece. The assignment will take
us away from ancient history, however, and cover current events in Greece,
giving us the opportunity to become familiar with modern news sources. You
should remember that the media, while providing our primary source of
information about the world around us, is made up of people just like any of the
rest of us - usually having beliefs and causes we'd like others to follow as
well. You should read every article with the question in mind: "What is the
author's argument (point) and should I agree?" For instance, research has shown
that members of the modern US media tend to be somewhat more liberal than the
rest of the US population, and often those liberal beliefs are subtly reflected
in their writing. Rember, there is no law against having an opinion, and the
media is under no obligation to refrain from trying to influence you. It is up
to you to read carefully and apply the lessons of critical thinking before you
form your own opinions.
Go to the link http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1987368,00.html and read the 2010 Time Magazine article dealing with current events in Greece. After reading the article search the web for other quality news sources that will give you and update on these events. In your essay, summarize the events of the article and state your opinion as to why these events are happening. Answer the question: Could this happen in the US? Why or why not?
Remeber that falling behind in your homework will have a detrimental impact on your grade! For those of you who have stayed on top of your assignments, congratulations on your efforts and learning to manage your time successfully. Have a good week!
Go to the link http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1987368,00.html and read the 2010 Time Magazine article dealing with current events in Greece. After reading the article search the web for other quality news sources that will give you and update on these events. In your essay, summarize the events of the article and state your opinion as to why these events are happening. Answer the question: Could this happen in the US? Why or why not?
Remeber that falling behind in your homework will have a detrimental impact on your grade! For those of you who have stayed on top of your assignments, congratulations on your efforts and learning to manage your time successfully. Have a good week!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Homework 4, Due September 7, 2012
This week’s assignment offers you a choice of topics to research. We are going
to use the website livius.org, which is similar to Wikipedia.org in that it is a
free resource with many contributors, but different in that the contributors are
all college history professors whose work is thoroughly checked for accuracy and
quality.
The first option is to research and report on the war between Jews and Romans at the time of the fall of Jerusalem and other Jewish strongholds. Read the article found at the link http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar05.html and write an essay describing your findings. State and defend your opinion about whether the Jews should have rebelled against the Roman Empire, given what you know of the subject.
The second option is to further research the Babylonian Empire. While we have discussed the Old Babylonian Empire, the Assyrian Empire, and the New (Neo) Babylonian Empire, there are several other empires that arose in the area known as Mesopotamia that we did not discuss in class lecture. Follow the link http://www.livius.org/ba-bd/babylon/babylonian_empire.html and read the article there then report your findings on one of the empires that we did not discuss in class. Offer and defend your opinion as to why this region so often saw powerful empires arise only to fall quickly after a few generations.
The third option is to research the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as discussed in the article found at http://www.livius.org/se-sg/7wonders/seven_wonders.html . Which was most impressive? Which was, in your estimation, the least? Defend your opinions by offering critical analysis of both.
As always, be sure to cite your sources. In citing an internet source, be sure to mention the author, the title and URL of the page, and -this is important- the date on which you saw the page. After all, webpages are bound to change. Also, check the website www.akers-scs.blogspot.com for important information regarding lesson plans. Thanks and keep up the good work!
The first option is to research and report on the war between Jews and Romans at the time of the fall of Jerusalem and other Jewish strongholds. Read the article found at the link http://www.livius.org/ja-jn/jewish_wars/jwar05.html and write an essay describing your findings. State and defend your opinion about whether the Jews should have rebelled against the Roman Empire, given what you know of the subject.
The second option is to further research the Babylonian Empire. While we have discussed the Old Babylonian Empire, the Assyrian Empire, and the New (Neo) Babylonian Empire, there are several other empires that arose in the area known as Mesopotamia that we did not discuss in class lecture. Follow the link http://www.livius.org/ba-bd/babylon/babylonian_empire.html and read the article there then report your findings on one of the empires that we did not discuss in class. Offer and defend your opinion as to why this region so often saw powerful empires arise only to fall quickly after a few generations.
The third option is to research the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as discussed in the article found at http://www.livius.org/se-sg/7wonders/seven_wonders.html . Which was most impressive? Which was, in your estimation, the least? Defend your opinions by offering critical analysis of both.
As always, be sure to cite your sources. In citing an internet source, be sure to mention the author, the title and URL of the page, and -this is important- the date on which you saw the page. After all, webpages are bound to change. Also, check the website www.akers-scs.blogspot.com for important information regarding lesson plans. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Homework 3, Due August 31
If you missed any part of the documentary “Guns, Germs, and
Steel” that we watched in class, please go to the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyRa5P6xVo8 to catch up.
Your homework this week will be graded as a test grade (worth one-half
the value of a typical test) so please give your best effort!
Having heard Dr. Jarod Diamond's explanation of how some civilizations, especially those in the Middle East, were blessed with all the things necessary to progress faster than others, how would you answer the following questions?
1) Do you believe Dr. Diamond's explanation or do you believe something else explains the disparities between cultures? What was the strongest part of his argument? What was the weakest?
2) What are the resources societies need today to advance at a rapid pace? Because of global trade and the easy access to information, shouldn't all societies be able to advance at similar rates? Or are some societies doomed to fall behind others?
3) How does Dr. Diamond's information about the Middle East help to explain God's plan for humanity after the flood? Do you see proof of God's blessings in the lives of Biblical characters such as Abraham?
Remember, at least 250 words, responses to at least two other essays (responses totalling 150 words - due Sunday night, September 2). You will be graded for the quality of your analysis, the clarity and quality of your writing, and the extent to which you answer the questions you have been asked. Good luck!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Homework 2, Due Aug 24, 2012
This week we will be studying some of the most important ancient empires of the
western world, including the Old Babylonian Empire and the Jewish Empire. Your
assignment is to research one of the following great leaders: Hammurabi, Cyrus
the Great, Darius I, or Solomon. Here are some questions to consider as you read
the articles and write your essay:
What were the great accomplishments of the leader's reign?
What were the obstacles he faced?
How do you think the commoners he ruled felt about him? Why?
If it were possible for your selected leader to be a modern president, would he be good at the job? Why do you think he would/wouldn't?
Incorporate your answers to these questions in an essay format. You should start at www.worldbookonline.com (user id: scs; password: cougars) but you may have to do some additional reading to find all you are looking for. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those of Homework 1; you must submit a 250 word essay (don't forget to cite your sources!) and you must respond to at least two essays by other students (responses are due Sunday, August 26, and must total at least 150 words). Keep up the good work!
What were the great accomplishments of the leader's reign?
What were the obstacles he faced?
How do you think the commoners he ruled felt about him? Why?
If it were possible for your selected leader to be a modern president, would he be good at the job? Why do you think he would/wouldn't?
Incorporate your answers to these questions in an essay format. You should start at www.worldbookonline.com (user id: scs; password: cougars) but you may have to do some additional reading to find all you are looking for. The requirements for this assignment are exactly as those of Homework 1; you must submit a 250 word essay (don't forget to cite your sources!) and you must respond to at least two essays by other students (responses are due Sunday, August 26, and must total at least 150 words). Keep up the good work!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Homework 1, Due Aug 17, 2012
Good job last week on our "warm-up exercise." This week's history assignment provides another opportunity for us to learn the process that we will employ throughout the school year. This week's question should take us a little more in-depth: If you could choose to visit any culture in history, which would it be? Why are you especially interested in that time period and culture? Visit www.worldbookonline.com and log in (your ID is "scs"; the passwork is "cougars") and find an article about your chosen culture. Report back on your findings, and be sure to cite the article correctly in your essay.
Remember, your essay must be at least 250 words in length (which isn't very long, after all) and you must read the essays of others and respond to at least two of them (a total of 150 words in response). See me before or after school if you need help setting up a Google ID to leave comments on the blog!
Remember, your essay must be at least 250 words in length (which isn't very long, after all) and you must read the essays of others and respond to at least two of them (a total of 150 words in response). See me before or after school if you need help setting up a Google ID to leave comments on the blog!
Monday, August 6, 2012
New School Year!
Hello and welcome to Western Civilizations! This is going to be a fun year as we study the history of humanity from creation to the modern day. Your homework assignments will begin in earnest next week; this week's assignment is just for practice. Post a comment that identifies your favorite era in world history then reply to someone else's comment with feedback about their choice (a good example: Great topic! I look forward to learning more about that fascinating time in history! A less sarcastic example: Ugh! Gag me with a spoon!).
Ok, for this brief little bit of nonsense you will receive a whole history homework grade - enjoy it while it lasts, they get slightly more involved from here on!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Testing Week - No homework
There will be no homework this week because of our annual testing. However, if you have missing assignments you may complete them for half credit - which is far better than a zero! Get your rest and be ready to test tomorrow!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Homework 6, Due April 20, 2012
Of all the modern presidents none has captured the imagination of the US and world quite like John Kennedy. He was the first of his generation to be elected as president - the World War II generation, sometimes called the "greatest generation". Later Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush Sr would be elected from that generation, an unprecedented accomplishment that is unlikely to be equalled in the future.
Kennedy was to face several challenges upon assuming the presidency. The Cold War was in full gear and its effects were causing concern about nuclear war and increased commitment to Vietnam, among other things. Twice the US came to the brink of all-out war with the Soviet Union, and both events centered on the island of Cuba. In 1959, a year before Kennedy's election, Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government and assumed dictatorial powers. Amazingly, today, more than 50 years later, Castro is still in power, though his younger brother Raul governs the country.
As Castro came to power the Cuban army and many business elites of the country fled to the US - 30,000 of them were given citizenship in a single day, in fact, and their political and cultural influence is still powerful today, especially in parts of Florida. These Cuban-Americans despise Castro and were intent on staging a counter-revolution based in the US to regain control of their home country. This and other events caused the new Cuban government to reach out to the Soviets for support, which of course the communists were more than happy to supply. Ironically, the US CIA had actually assisted Castro in his revolution in order to get rid of the corrupt regime of Cuban President Batista. Almost accidentally a new communist country came into existence only 90 miles from the shores of south Florida - not a pleasing prospect for the US during the Cold War!
The first major confrontation came with the Bay of Pigs invasion, in which US-assisted Cuban-Americans invaded Cuba with disastrous results. The second was the "Cuban Missile Crisis" in which the US discovered that the Soviets were placing powerful inter-continental ballistic missiles - nuclear bombs - in Cuba, and they were going to be capable of destroying any US city. The world watched and waited as the Soviet ships bearing the missiles were intercepted by US naval vessels and a stand-off occurred. For thirteen days, no one knew if nuclear war would occur.
On both of these occasions many of Kennedy's advisors urged him to attack Cuba and use the nuclear capabilities of our armed forces. Instead, Kennedy chose to listen to a group of young advisors, many of them in their 20s and 30s, most important being his younger brother Robert (whom he'd appointed to be his Attourny General), and their advice kept the US from precipitating Word War III. I'd like you to chose one of these events and analyze Kennedy's abilities as president. Was he a good leader? Did he make the correct choice given what he knew at the time? Should he have acted differently?
For information about the Bay of Pigs Invasion, go to http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/JFK+and+the+Bay+of+Pigs.htm
For information about the Cuban Missile Crisis, go to http://www.jfklibrary.org/jfkl/cmc/cmc_intro.html
If there are other events in Kennedy's administration that you'd prefer to research, you may begin at the Kennedy Presidential Library homepage: http://www.jfklibrary.org/
Kennedy was to face several challenges upon assuming the presidency. The Cold War was in full gear and its effects were causing concern about nuclear war and increased commitment to Vietnam, among other things. Twice the US came to the brink of all-out war with the Soviet Union, and both events centered on the island of Cuba. In 1959, a year before Kennedy's election, Fidel Castro overthrew the Cuban government and assumed dictatorial powers. Amazingly, today, more than 50 years later, Castro is still in power, though his younger brother Raul governs the country.
As Castro came to power the Cuban army and many business elites of the country fled to the US - 30,000 of them were given citizenship in a single day, in fact, and their political and cultural influence is still powerful today, especially in parts of Florida. These Cuban-Americans despise Castro and were intent on staging a counter-revolution based in the US to regain control of their home country. This and other events caused the new Cuban government to reach out to the Soviets for support, which of course the communists were more than happy to supply. Ironically, the US CIA had actually assisted Castro in his revolution in order to get rid of the corrupt regime of Cuban President Batista. Almost accidentally a new communist country came into existence only 90 miles from the shores of south Florida - not a pleasing prospect for the US during the Cold War!
The first major confrontation came with the Bay of Pigs invasion, in which US-assisted Cuban-Americans invaded Cuba with disastrous results. The second was the "Cuban Missile Crisis" in which the US discovered that the Soviets were placing powerful inter-continental ballistic missiles - nuclear bombs - in Cuba, and they were going to be capable of destroying any US city. The world watched and waited as the Soviet ships bearing the missiles were intercepted by US naval vessels and a stand-off occurred. For thirteen days, no one knew if nuclear war would occur.
On both of these occasions many of Kennedy's advisors urged him to attack Cuba and use the nuclear capabilities of our armed forces. Instead, Kennedy chose to listen to a group of young advisors, many of them in their 20s and 30s, most important being his younger brother Robert (whom he'd appointed to be his Attourny General), and their advice kept the US from precipitating Word War III. I'd like you to chose one of these events and analyze Kennedy's abilities as president. Was he a good leader? Did he make the correct choice given what he knew at the time? Should he have acted differently?
For information about the Bay of Pigs Invasion, go to http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/JFK+in+History/JFK+and+the+Bay+of+Pigs.htm
For information about the Cuban Missile Crisis, go to http://www.jfklibrary.org/jfkl/cmc/cmc_intro.html
If there are other events in Kennedy's administration that you'd prefer to research, you may begin at the Kennedy Presidential Library homepage: http://www.jfklibrary.org/
Monday, April 9, 2012
Homework 5, Due April 13, 2012
As you know, this week we begin our study of the Vietnam War. As we will discuss in class, the Vietnam War has been the most controversial event in American history, and the controversy lives on. As I researched this assignment, my original plans had to change. Here's why: as opposed to the Civil War and the World Wars, there are very few notable web sites devoted to Vietnam. I had hoped to give you some exposure to the "reaction at home" but the websites that covered the anger and bitterness all contained objectionable material. It occurs to me that most of you have seen Vietnam portrayed or at least referenced in books, movies, and TV shows. Because it is still fresh in our nation's mind, the war is still a source of emotional debate. So, rather than sending you to do research, this week I'd like to ask a series of questions:
1. Was Vietnam worth it? The years, the tens of thousands of lives, the fortune that was spent?
2. Did the US lose the War in Vietnam? Our enemies didn't defeat us in the field of battle, yet we left and our allies were destroyed. What does this question mean for Americans today?
3. Could another "Vietnam" occur again? Would Americans be willing to sacrifice as much, regardless of the cause? (For perspective, remember that by the late 1960s about 500 American soldiers were dying every week in Vietnam).
4. How did this happen? Should the US policy (Truman Doctrine) have been different?
I look forward to your answers. Please remember that the requirements for this assignment are a minimum of 200 words, and at least two responses to the posts of others (responses must total 150 words minimum). Thanks and God bless!
1. Was Vietnam worth it? The years, the tens of thousands of lives, the fortune that was spent?
2. Did the US lose the War in Vietnam? Our enemies didn't defeat us in the field of battle, yet we left and our allies were destroyed. What does this question mean for Americans today?
3. Could another "Vietnam" occur again? Would Americans be willing to sacrifice as much, regardless of the cause? (For perspective, remember that by the late 1960s about 500 American soldiers were dying every week in Vietnam).
4. How did this happen? Should the US policy (Truman Doctrine) have been different?
I look forward to your answers. Please remember that the requirements for this assignment are a minimum of 200 words, and at least two responses to the posts of others (responses must total 150 words minimum). Thanks and God bless!
Make Up Assignment, Due April 13, 2012
To make up for a missing or late assignment, follow the link http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade60.html to research special topics in the 1960s. Choose a minimum of 3 special topics to research and write an essay of at least 350 words (since there will be no requirement to reply to the essays of others).
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Homework 4, Due March 31, 2012
As we finish our lecture on the 1950s this week, I'd like you to follow a link to a very interesting website and do some self-directed research then report back on your findings. At the link http://www.ushistory.org/us/53.asp you'll find and introductory page (which everyone should read) and then a series of illustrated lessons (a-f) on successive pages - just click the "next" button at the top or bottom of the page to look them over. Choose a lesson (for example, 53a, "McCarthyism") and read it then evaluate its message in an essay of your own. Just a note - in 53f "Voices Against Conformity" there is an insufficient summary of the "Kinsey Report". We will talk about Kinsey and his misleading research in class.
As before, your essay should be 200 words and you must also respond to the posts of at least two others (at least 150 words). Thank you and let's do a good job - no assignment next week for spring break!
As before, your essay should be 200 words and you must also respond to the posts of at least two others (at least 150 words). Thank you and let's do a good job - no assignment next week for spring break!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Homework 3, Due March 23, 2012
While finishing up our World War II unit I'd like to post a homework assignment I usually save until later in the school year. In honor of our drama department I'd like to turn your attention to the topic of culture and arts. While eating lunch at a restaurant, I am often struck by the complete silliness of it all: a crowd of people paying for food and service…and something else – the pleasure of eating tasty food. If we were strictly governed by logic wouldn't we would choose our meals based on nutritional value and cost effectiveness? Mealtime would be similar to recharging a cell phone – plug in, fill up, and go on. But that’s not what we do because, while our needs would be met, another need – the need for enjoyment – would go unfulfilled. So too we are motivated much more than we usually admit by the joy of creative art. One could apply the same standard to the clothes we wear, houses we live in, and many other things we do.
Society is usually defined by culture. When you think of the ancient Egyptians you probably think of their art and architecture (flat people and pyramids). When we talk about the past decades (think 1980s day) we picture the clothes people wore and the music they made. It seems that we are defined by a completely superfluous segment of our lives. (When I first arrived in Britain the TV shows Melrose Place and 90210 were big hits; I was asked several times if those shows were realistic portrayals of life in the US. Because Forrest Gump was in theaters, everyone wanted me to tell them the words to “Sweet Home Alabama”). Look around you…isn’t that just a little unsettling?
For millennia the stage has been a prominent part of human culture. It’s another illogical way that we find enjoyment - and accomplish complex tasks through storytelling. In America the heart of the stage can be found on a New York City street that dates back to the days of New Amsterdam; that street is, of course, Broadway. Every year millions of tickets are sold to the numerous theaters as crowds from around the world travel to see the very best in show business. This week our homework assignment will focus on the history of Broadway since 1900.
Follow the link http://www.talkinbroadway.com/bway101/ and choose an e
ssay about a decade of your choice (1900-1950) and report on your findings. Also comment on your favorite stage production (if you have one). The parameters of this assignment are exactly as every other assignment that has preceded it. Hope you enjoy it!
Society is usually defined by culture. When you think of the ancient Egyptians you probably think of their art and architecture (flat people and pyramids). When we talk about the past decades (think 1980s day) we picture the clothes people wore and the music they made. It seems that we are defined by a completely superfluous segment of our lives. (When I first arrived in Britain the TV shows Melrose Place and 90210 were big hits; I was asked several times if those shows were realistic portrayals of life in the US. Because Forrest Gump was in theaters, everyone wanted me to tell them the words to “Sweet Home Alabama”). Look around you…isn’t that just a little unsettling?
For millennia the stage has been a prominent part of human culture. It’s another illogical way that we find enjoyment - and accomplish complex tasks through storytelling. In America the heart of the stage can be found on a New York City street that dates back to the days of New Amsterdam; that street is, of course, Broadway. Every year millions of tickets are sold to the numerous theaters as crowds from around the world travel to see the very best in show business. This week our homework assignment will focus on the history of Broadway since 1900.
Follow the link http://www.talkinbroadway.com/bway101/ and choose an e
ssay about a decade of your choice (1900-1950) and report on your findings. Also comment on your favorite stage production (if you have one). The parameters of this assignment are exactly as every other assignment that has preceded it. Hope you enjoy it!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Homework 2, Due March 14, 2012
As World War II ended and Americans readjusted to peace, the five years following the war (1945-1950) were among the most significant in our nation's history. Consider some interesting facts by carefully reading the paragraphs below. When you have carefully read the information provided choose two of the questions to respond to in your homework essay. (It's amazing to consider that all these things were happening in one five year span!).
The GI bill sent former soldiers to college, and for the first time in history higher education and the better jobs that it leads to was open middle class and poor Americans (white, for the most part, but this would soon change). Can you pause for a moment and consider how important this has been in making the US the country it is today?
The Nuremburg and Japan trials were conducted and for the first time in world history nations united together to demand justice. Former Nazi and Japanese officials were given legitimate, fair trials and either acquitted or sentenced based on the evidence. The accused criminals had lawyers and access to evidence. The trials were public and the newspapers of the world reported the daily proceedings. Why was it important that these trials (and the executions that followed) were done in such a manner?
The US instituted the Marshall Plan. It might sound normal by today's standards, but at the time it was an extreme departure from anything we'd ever done: US taxpayer dollars were used to help rebuild Europe! Not just charity projects like food and clothing, but we actually paid for the rebuilding of infrastructure so the European economies would survive and get back on track. Considering the fact that the US spent $10 billion a month in Iraq for more than seven years, that idea might not surprise you, but you can imagine that it was a novel idea back then, especially considering how strictly tax dollars were spent in the early days of our country. At the same time the US was completely redesigning the Japanese economy, education system, and military. Is there a justifiable reason to spend your money for the benefit of other countries? Does the US eventually get enough benefit from the investment to justify the cost?
After almost 2,000 years, the nation of Israel was reborn. Jews who had lost everything in Europe were unlikely to return to their home countries, and the Zionist movement was born. Hundreds of thousands of American Jews emigrated to Palestine, and in 1948 Israeli independence was declared. Of all the nations on earth, the US has had no closer relations than our relationship with Israel over the last 60 years. Today the nation of Israel, which is surrounded by enemies and has a large Muslim minority, continues to struggle against regular attacks but still has a vibrant economy and fully functioning society. Do you think the US should continue to be so involved in Israel, and do you think that it is possible to see a peaceful solution to the conflict?
The Iron Curtain descended over eastern Europe and the Cold War began. After the Soviets pushed the Nazi army back into Germany, the Communists never relinquished control over eastern Europe, including East Germany. Freedom and democracy were replaced with harsh dictatorships that lasted for decades - most until the end of the 1980s. For many years more than a million American and Soviet troops stared at each other from just a few yards apart across the East/West border of Germany: an extremely explosive situation that could have erupted into war at any time. (I was a high school student when the Berlin Wall came down and the eastern European countries overthrew the communist dictator governments - what an exciting time to be watching the world events!). How do you think America has changed since the end of the Cold War?
The United Nations was created and a new era of cooperation began. Along with the UN, new organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank emerged so that large nations such as the US could assist poor countries in developing their economies and improve the lives of their citizens (through immunization efforts, for example). Today there is much controversy as to the efficacy of such programs. Is this unhappiness the result of the fact that the problems of the world are just too large and complex to solve, or do you think that these programs are probably effective but our access to news and information just highlights the continued suffering of those in other countries?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly as the one that preceded it - don't forget your comments. God bless!
The GI bill sent former soldiers to college, and for the first time in history higher education and the better jobs that it leads to was open middle class and poor Americans (white, for the most part, but this would soon change). Can you pause for a moment and consider how important this has been in making the US the country it is today?
The Nuremburg and Japan trials were conducted and for the first time in world history nations united together to demand justice. Former Nazi and Japanese officials were given legitimate, fair trials and either acquitted or sentenced based on the evidence. The accused criminals had lawyers and access to evidence. The trials were public and the newspapers of the world reported the daily proceedings. Why was it important that these trials (and the executions that followed) were done in such a manner?
The US instituted the Marshall Plan. It might sound normal by today's standards, but at the time it was an extreme departure from anything we'd ever done: US taxpayer dollars were used to help rebuild Europe! Not just charity projects like food and clothing, but we actually paid for the rebuilding of infrastructure so the European economies would survive and get back on track. Considering the fact that the US spent $10 billion a month in Iraq for more than seven years, that idea might not surprise you, but you can imagine that it was a novel idea back then, especially considering how strictly tax dollars were spent in the early days of our country. At the same time the US was completely redesigning the Japanese economy, education system, and military. Is there a justifiable reason to spend your money for the benefit of other countries? Does the US eventually get enough benefit from the investment to justify the cost?
After almost 2,000 years, the nation of Israel was reborn. Jews who had lost everything in Europe were unlikely to return to their home countries, and the Zionist movement was born. Hundreds of thousands of American Jews emigrated to Palestine, and in 1948 Israeli independence was declared. Of all the nations on earth, the US has had no closer relations than our relationship with Israel over the last 60 years. Today the nation of Israel, which is surrounded by enemies and has a large Muslim minority, continues to struggle against regular attacks but still has a vibrant economy and fully functioning society. Do you think the US should continue to be so involved in Israel, and do you think that it is possible to see a peaceful solution to the conflict?
The Iron Curtain descended over eastern Europe and the Cold War began. After the Soviets pushed the Nazi army back into Germany, the Communists never relinquished control over eastern Europe, including East Germany. Freedom and democracy were replaced with harsh dictatorships that lasted for decades - most until the end of the 1980s. For many years more than a million American and Soviet troops stared at each other from just a few yards apart across the East/West border of Germany: an extremely explosive situation that could have erupted into war at any time. (I was a high school student when the Berlin Wall came down and the eastern European countries overthrew the communist dictator governments - what an exciting time to be watching the world events!). How do you think America has changed since the end of the Cold War?
The United Nations was created and a new era of cooperation began. Along with the UN, new organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank emerged so that large nations such as the US could assist poor countries in developing their economies and improve the lives of their citizens (through immunization efforts, for example). Today there is much controversy as to the efficacy of such programs. Is this unhappiness the result of the fact that the problems of the world are just too large and complex to solve, or do you think that these programs are probably effective but our access to news and information just highlights the continued suffering of those in other countries?
The requirements for this assignment are exactly as the one that preceded it - don't forget your comments. God bless!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Homework 1, Due March 9, 2012
In our continued study of the Second World War, we will turn our attention to the atrocities known as the Holocaust. While many people now know of the horrible slaughter of millions of Jews and other groups, the story has not always been widely understood, and even now some groups are claiming that it never happened.
In class we briefly discussed antisemitism (the hatred of Jews) and its origins. It's rather difficult to imagine that Americans were once generally antisemitic, holding all Jews accountable for the crucifiction of Jesus and continuing the European tradition of blaming Jews for all wide-spread financial woes. The Ku Klux Klan, in addition to the mistreatment of African-Americans, also targeted Jews and Catholics in their abuses. It was only after the revelation of the evils of the Holocaust that most Americans adopted a sympathetic view of the Jewish people.
Jews have lived in America almost since the very first settlers arrived. Because most of the colonies were founded by determined Protestant groups, however, Jews weren't welcomed many places. It was Maryland, with its guaranteed religious freedom for all, and New Amsterdam (New York), with its secular society, where most of the Jewish settlers made their homes. Following World War II hundreds of thousands of American Jews, called Zionists, would emigrate to the new country of Israel, recreating a nation that had been non-existent for almost 2,000 years. They even revived the ancient Hebrew language in order to assimilate all the Jews that would arrive from countries like the US and the Soviet Union and many others. Israel was even governed by a Jewish-American - Golda Meir.
Today millions of Americans claim Jewish heritage. Although there has never been a Jewish-American president or vice-president, Jews have served in every other capacity in government. Because American Jews aren't always possible to identify strictly my physical appearance, many Americans are unaware of this minority group (thank goodness for Adam Sandler's Hanukah song, right?). Still concentrated in New York, some pockets of Jewish Americans cling to the traditions that set them apart in the earlier days of our nation's history. They even speak a language called Yiddish - unique in that it never belonged to a country, and was entirely made up of slang and bits of other languages. (Some of the words have become common in English, such as schmooz and klutz). So even if you think this assignment is megilla, be a mensch - not a nudnik or a neddish - and get it done, mach shnel. Fershtay?
Please go to the National Holocaust Museum education web site - http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/ - and report on one of the articles you find there. Also, if you have visited the holocaust museum or been to a European museum of similar focus, share your experience. The requirements for this assignment include responses to at least two other essays (minimum 150 words). Good luck and God bless!
In class we briefly discussed antisemitism (the hatred of Jews) and its origins. It's rather difficult to imagine that Americans were once generally antisemitic, holding all Jews accountable for the crucifiction of Jesus and continuing the European tradition of blaming Jews for all wide-spread financial woes. The Ku Klux Klan, in addition to the mistreatment of African-Americans, also targeted Jews and Catholics in their abuses. It was only after the revelation of the evils of the Holocaust that most Americans adopted a sympathetic view of the Jewish people.
Jews have lived in America almost since the very first settlers arrived. Because most of the colonies were founded by determined Protestant groups, however, Jews weren't welcomed many places. It was Maryland, with its guaranteed religious freedom for all, and New Amsterdam (New York), with its secular society, where most of the Jewish settlers made their homes. Following World War II hundreds of thousands of American Jews, called Zionists, would emigrate to the new country of Israel, recreating a nation that had been non-existent for almost 2,000 years. They even revived the ancient Hebrew language in order to assimilate all the Jews that would arrive from countries like the US and the Soviet Union and many others. Israel was even governed by a Jewish-American - Golda Meir.
Today millions of Americans claim Jewish heritage. Although there has never been a Jewish-American president or vice-president, Jews have served in every other capacity in government. Because American Jews aren't always possible to identify strictly my physical appearance, many Americans are unaware of this minority group (thank goodness for Adam Sandler's Hanukah song, right?). Still concentrated in New York, some pockets of Jewish Americans cling to the traditions that set them apart in the earlier days of our nation's history. They even speak a language called Yiddish - unique in that it never belonged to a country, and was entirely made up of slang and bits of other languages. (Some of the words have become common in English, such as schmooz and klutz). So even if you think this assignment is megilla, be a mensch - not a nudnik or a neddish - and get it done, mach shnel. Fershtay?
Please go to the National Holocaust Museum education web site - http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/ - and report on one of the articles you find there. Also, if you have visited the holocaust museum or been to a European museum of similar focus, share your experience. The requirements for this assignment include responses to at least two other essays (minimum 150 words). Good luck and God bless!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Homework 9, Due Friday, March 2, 2012
We begin our discussion of World War II this week, one of the most momentous events in human history. 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 and underground resistence groups, 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. This is the last assignment for which comments will not be required.
The time has come as well to discuss your 4th 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 and exchange it for a 100%. 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.
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. This is the last assignment for which comments will not be required.
The time has come as well to discuss your 4th 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 and exchange it for a 100%. 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.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Homework 8, Due February 24, 2012
I hope you enjoyed the Presidents Day weekend! Since this is an election year we'll take a look at presidential politics this week. Presidential elections are always important and are usually exciting events that draw the energy and passion of the American people into public service and discussion. The right to vote in free and fair elections is one of the greatest privileges of citizenship, and the need to vote responsibly, which means based on the issues and the character of the candidates, is our greatest civic duty. While many people love politics, for some who have grown cynical, the word itself is negative. Unfortunately the political process has weaknesses; for instance, it takes so much money to run for office today that many qualified citizens never run because they don’t have access to the necessary finances. There is a great debate today about how to fix that problem, because it seems that there is no easy solution.
Perhaps the most hotly contested election and certainly the closest was the election of 1960. The Democrats had no established candidate, and it was obvious that Senator Adlai Stevenson wouldn’t be nominated a third time in a row. The Democrats were the dominate party but had not been in the White House during the previous eight years – instead, a very non-political moderate Republican, Dwight D. Eisenhower, had served. Now that the elderly President Eisenhower was leaving office and it was likely that the Republicans would nominate his young vice-president Richard Nixon to be their candidate, even though there were rumors that he had “bent the rules” in previous elections. Nixon went on national television to deny the allegations and explained that the only bribe he’d ever taken was a puppy named “Checkers” and that he intended to keep the dog.
The Democratic nominee who would emerge is an iconic figure in American history – John F. Kennedy, a young senator from Massachusetts who had served in the Navy in World War II. The Kennedys were a unique family. John Kennedy’s dad was ambassador to Great Britain during FDR’s presidency, and John’s older brother Joe had died during the war. John’s maternal grandfather had been a famous Irish-American mayor of Boston, and both sides of the family were very wealthy. All of the Kennedys attended Harvard and went on to law school. The three young Kennedy men (John and his younger brothers Robert and Edward) all held press credentials, and John’s wife Jacqueline was a reporter who spoke three languages (she would later make speeches in Spanish and French during the Kennedys’ trips to other countries).
The election changed America in several ways. One important development was that for the first time the candidates debated on live television, which played up to Kennedy’s stylish appearance and smooth public speaking abilities. Nixon, on the other hand, was uncomfortable in front of the cameras and came across poorly. To make matters worse he had suffered a serious knee injury and was unable to get the infection properly cared for; the result was that he was in tremendous pain, looked very pale (and refused to allow stage makeup to be applied) and wiped sweat from his face throughout the entire debate. Still, when the votes were counted Kennedy won by a smaller margin than the number of people who usually attend a UK football game – a tiny fraction of one percent of the voting population! Kennedy became the youngest president ever elected (Teddy Roosevelt was younger when he became president, but he took office by accession, not election).
What were the issues that voters were concerned about in that election? I’d like you to take some time and research one of the following elections: 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972. Briefly introduce the two nominees but focus on the issues that were most important to voters during that time period. Some places to start your research might be
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/elections.php
or
http://www.historycentral.com/elections/
Good luck and God bless!
Perhaps the most hotly contested election and certainly the closest was the election of 1960. The Democrats had no established candidate, and it was obvious that Senator Adlai Stevenson wouldn’t be nominated a third time in a row. The Democrats were the dominate party but had not been in the White House during the previous eight years – instead, a very non-political moderate Republican, Dwight D. Eisenhower, had served. Now that the elderly President Eisenhower was leaving office and it was likely that the Republicans would nominate his young vice-president Richard Nixon to be their candidate, even though there were rumors that he had “bent the rules” in previous elections. Nixon went on national television to deny the allegations and explained that the only bribe he’d ever taken was a puppy named “Checkers” and that he intended to keep the dog.
The Democratic nominee who would emerge is an iconic figure in American history – John F. Kennedy, a young senator from Massachusetts who had served in the Navy in World War II. The Kennedys were a unique family. John Kennedy’s dad was ambassador to Great Britain during FDR’s presidency, and John’s older brother Joe had died during the war. John’s maternal grandfather had been a famous Irish-American mayor of Boston, and both sides of the family were very wealthy. All of the Kennedys attended Harvard and went on to law school. The three young Kennedy men (John and his younger brothers Robert and Edward) all held press credentials, and John’s wife Jacqueline was a reporter who spoke three languages (she would later make speeches in Spanish and French during the Kennedys’ trips to other countries).
The election changed America in several ways. One important development was that for the first time the candidates debated on live television, which played up to Kennedy’s stylish appearance and smooth public speaking abilities. Nixon, on the other hand, was uncomfortable in front of the cameras and came across poorly. To make matters worse he had suffered a serious knee injury and was unable to get the infection properly cared for; the result was that he was in tremendous pain, looked very pale (and refused to allow stage makeup to be applied) and wiped sweat from his face throughout the entire debate. Still, when the votes were counted Kennedy won by a smaller margin than the number of people who usually attend a UK football game – a tiny fraction of one percent of the voting population! Kennedy became the youngest president ever elected (Teddy Roosevelt was younger when he became president, but he took office by accession, not election).
What were the issues that voters were concerned about in that election? I’d like you to take some time and research one of the following elections: 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972. Briefly introduce the two nominees but focus on the issues that were most important to voters during that time period. Some places to start your research might be
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/elections.php
or
http://www.historycentral.com/elections/
Good luck and God bless!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Homework 7, Due February 17, 2012
I hope you enjoyed the topic of last week's assignment. This week we will follow up with another Black History Month essay. Follow the link http://www.biography.com/tv/classroom/black-history-timeline to see a very interesting timeline of significant events in black history. Follow one (or more) of the inbedded links to read more and then report back on your findings. Once again we will limit the assignment to a 200 word essay (no responses at this time). Enjoy your research!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Homework 6, Due February 10, 2012
February is designated "Black History Month" and we will use the next two assignments to explore the topic. This week's assignment is fairly straightforward - follow the link http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/ to the Library of Congress website dedicated to African American history. Follow the link "Exhibits and Collections" and choose a topic to explore. You will find several interesting areas - take time to read the article and look at the special resources provided. Report your findings in a 200 word essay. Once again we will forego the responses although most of you had no problems posting this last week. Best of luck - I hope you learn something!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Homework 5, Due February 3, 2012
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, February 3. Once again we will not do responses - I'm not certain that the web site is completely restored. 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, February 3. Once again we will not do responses - I'm not certain that the web site is completely restored. Best of luck in your research, and enjoy learning about an exciting time in US history!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Homework 4, Due January 27, 2012
Due to problems with the Blogger website, many of you are having trouble posting your assignments. I apologize for the inconvenience and hope that the problem is cleared up soon. Until further notice, however, I will slightly change the format of the assignments - specifically, you will not need to comment on the posts of others (as many are having to email their assignments to me). If you have trouble posting please email your essay to robertakers@hotmail.com or robertakers@somersetchristian.com.
This week's assignment should have been posted last week, but better late than never, right? This week we'll take an opportunity to look into the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since last Monday was 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 as 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 America 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.
This week's assignment should have been posted last week, but better late than never, right? This week we'll take an opportunity to look into the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since last Monday was 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 as 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 America 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.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Homework 3, Due January 20, 2012
Here's hoping you've enjoyed a three-day weekend! This week's assignment should be enjoyable - a look back at the first decade of the 20th century. Like any period of time it had its highlights (Nickelodean! Ping Pong! Ragtime Music!) and lowlights (Jim Crow segregation and lynchings, the San Francisco earthquake, and the continued abusive practices of the "Big 3" - US Steel, Standard Oil, and the American Tobacco Co).
Follow the link http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade00.html to learn more. Read the script and follow links to find two topics to research and report. If you had been a teen in that decade (as any one in their 120s today would have been) what are some things you would have enjoyed? What are some things you would have disliked? Share your findings in a 200 word essay and respond to at least two other essays with a total of 150 words. Good luck and God bless!
Follow the link http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade00.html to learn more. Read the script and follow links to find two topics to research and report. If you had been a teen in that decade (as any one in their 120s today would have been) what are some things you would have enjoyed? What are some things you would have disliked? Share your findings in a 200 word essay and respond to at least two other essays with a total of 150 words. Good luck and God bless!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Homework 2, Due January 13, 2012
I'm sorry I accidentally posted the same assignment twice! Since there were three options, though, hopefully it gave you an opportunity to explore the issues further. We are studying the Gilded Age and how it lead to the Progressive Era. These time periods are important to understand because the issues that were being addressed then are still important to us today. One issue was suffrage, or the right to vote. Although women in the United States would not receive the franchise until the passage of the nineteenth amendment in 1920 (American Indians, you'll remember, didn't vote until 1924), the movement to include women in the making of public policy was well under way. Interestingly, even before women could vote, candidates felt that it was necessary to address the issues that womens' groups were advocating. So I ask you to respond to the following questions:
1) How did the US justify withholding the right to vote from women so far into the twentieth century? (Remember, many of them were educated, and although few opportunities existed in business, some were financially independent).
2) Just who should have the right to vote? Should education level matter? (Is it possible to be too uneducated to deserve to vote? Who should decide, and what would be on a voting test?) Should we return to the standard of land ownership? (Or some other method to ensure that the people who pay the bulk of the taxes are the ones being heard in elections). What about age? Explain why you take your stand.
3) There is a powerful movement today to restore the franchise to non-violent felons who have paid the price of their crimes. Currently convicted felons lose their vote for the rest of their lives, even after they are released from jail. Fundamentally, is this right or wrong?
Minimum 200 words, respond to at least two others with a total of 150 words of response. Responses due Sunday evening, January 15. Cite any sources you reference! God bless!
1) How did the US justify withholding the right to vote from women so far into the twentieth century? (Remember, many of them were educated, and although few opportunities existed in business, some were financially independent).
2) Just who should have the right to vote? Should education level matter? (Is it possible to be too uneducated to deserve to vote? Who should decide, and what would be on a voting test?) Should we return to the standard of land ownership? (Or some other method to ensure that the people who pay the bulk of the taxes are the ones being heard in elections). What about age? Explain why you take your stand.
3) There is a powerful movement today to restore the franchise to non-violent felons who have paid the price of their crimes. Currently convicted felons lose their vote for the rest of their lives, even after they are released from jail. Fundamentally, is this right or wrong?
Minimum 200 words, respond to at least two others with a total of 150 words of response. Responses due Sunday evening, January 15. Cite any sources you reference! God bless!
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