Got Passport?

We've been talking in class about ways to reduce prejudice and learn about other people. One way - but not the only way - is to travel. For the next day or two in class, you are going to be reading about the thoughts and adventures of seasoned travelers. For them, the experiences along the way are just as important as the places they have visited.

In class, you will receive an assignment that will help you take brief notes on two essays found on the "Lonely Planet" blog. You will also explore the website of a guy that DROVE around the world last year!

(By the way...start thinking about the first place you would travel to if time and money were no problem. Where would you go? What would you like to see and experience? Why is this the first place that comes to mind? We'll be talking about that in days to come.)

So...off we go!

Bon Voyage!

Step 1: Pick up your assignment paper and the essay by Tony Wheeler. Read the questions in Part 1 first, then read the essay. Complete Part 1 on your paper. Show your teacher when you are done; she will initial your paper.

Step 2:Come back to the computer, and click on the following link:

Nicolas Rapp: The Year of Living Dangerously

Follow the directions on Part 2, which will lead you to a few places Nicolas Rapp visited on his driving trip around the world.  Get initials from your teacher when you are done.

Step 3: Get the essay by Phil Keoghan (he's the host of "The Amazing Race") from your teacher. Read the questions first in Part 3, then read the essay. Complete Part 3.

Turn in your paper.

Step 4: Click on this link for Lonely Planet, a travel website. Look at the upper right corner to find a map of the world. Use the rest of the class time to find places you would like to travel using this map. Once you find a destination, take time to read about it, look at photos, find other places nearby...have fun dreaming of where you might like to go!

Global Dilemmas: Block 2B Web Voting

Link to question 1
Link to question 4
Link to question 5
Link to question 6 
Link to question 7

Global Dilemmas: Block 2A Web Voting

Link to question 1
Link to question 4
Link to question 5
Link to question 6
Link to question 7

Global Dilemmas: Block 1B Web Voting

Link to question 1
Link to question 4
Link to question 5
Link to question 6
Link to question 7

Global Dilemmas: Block 1A Web Voting

Link to question 1
Link to question 4
Link to question 5
Link to question 6
Link to question 7

He's ba-a-a-a-a-ack!

Nicolas Rapp has returned  - finally - from his driving trip around the world. Visit his blog (click here) to become updated on his trip back to NYC. Then post a comment about his US adventures.  What a cool experience!

"Flip Flotsam" and Globalization

In Global Cultures class, we have begun talking about the idea of "globalization". To help us understand what globalization means, we viewed the Kenyan documentary "Flip Flotsam"  in class on Thursday. Knowing that globalization's definition includes the consequences of being interconnected, consider the film.  Write a comment to this blog post:  1) What did  you think about "Flip Flotsam"?  2) Give at least one example of a consequence of the flip-flop industry in Kenya.  (Feel free to read your peers' responses and comment if you like!) Be sure to include your name in your comment.

Thanksgiving Fact and Fiction

Here are some links to the resources for Global Cultures class on Monday, November 22, 2010:

Plimoth Plantation Virtual Field Trip: Replay of live webcast from11/16/10

Plimoth Plantation Thanksgiving Articles

USA Today article "Florida Teacher Chips Away At Plymouth Rock Thanksgiving Myth"

Painting: "The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (Brownscombe) 

Article: "Thanksgiving: A Native American View" by Jacqueline Keeler

Speech: "The Supressed Speech of Wamsutta (Frank B.) James, Wampanoag

"Good Morning, Alador!"

Use this online forum to express your thoughts about the New Albany High School production of "Hairspray" that we saw yesterday. Try to say more than, "It was OK." or "I liked it."  It's so much more interesting to read your thoughts behind the value statements. Think about the story, the music, the characters, the actors, the staging, the talkback session after...there's a lot you can respond to. Jump in!

Poll Everywhere: Race

Today in class, click on your block's link below to add your vote to the class poll about racism. On the right sidebar, go to "Ways People Can Respond" - "Web Voting" and click Vote Now  (If you have a cell phone with unlimited minutes, you can text your response in class.)

Conversations about Race...

With a partner, go to this link: http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/002_00-home.htm.  Take the "Sorting Quiz."  Read the "Conclusion" section at the end. When you are finished, come back to this blog and write about your experience with it...What surprised you? How does this tie to the film we are watching in class? (Answer with your partner.  Make sure you put both names in the post.)

Up and Running for Fall 2010!

Now that 2nd quarter is almost underway, it's time to update the blog. This is a great place for us to continue conversations from class. We've been looking at TransWorld Expedition, Nicolas Rapp's blog about his driving trip around the world.  If you could interview him today, what would you ask? (Be sure to sign your first name to your comment!)

Check out these clips from "60 Minutes"!

So, I'm watching "60 Minutes" last night at home, and saw a fascinating story about the Orthodox church in Turkey. Perfect for our class!!!  I've posted the link, as well as a couple of extra, related links found on the CBS site with the story.  I hope to watch and discuss these in class when we get back. Let me know what you think. ***NOTE:  If it doesn't play right away, click on the corresponding photo in the boxes below the viewing screen on the CBS site.  It should load and play.***

60 Minutes segment: The Patriarch Bartholomew (leader of Orthodox church)
Web extra: Cappadocia (churches carved into mountains)
Web extra: Pilgrimage (Bartholomew travels to his home)
Web extra: Footsteps of Christ (last Christian village in Muslim country)

Check Out Our World Traveler...

It looks like Nick Rapp (the guy attempting to drive around the world) has made it to Mexico! If you want to catch up to him, check out the link on the bottom of the sidebar (to the right).  It's called "Trans World Expedition."  Pretty interesting! Remember, at the bottom of his blog, there is a link to older posts, so you can read last week's postings as well. What do you think of his travels so far? (Post a comment.) Hope you're enjoying your break so far!

Cultural Universal: Holidays

So...this week, people in the United States celebrate "Thanksgiving".  There are many cultural components of this holiday relating to history, family, food, travel, traditions, entertainment, shopping... even sports.  Think about ways your family will commemorate this American holiday. Describe at least one tradition / activity that you will participate in during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday (and the weekend after). (Note: Please don't make your comment just about eating turkey, unless there is more to say about that than "We eat turkey." Think a little harder!:-D)  Please remember to sign your name to your comment.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Elvan Gunel

Yesterday, Dr. Elvan Gunel, a social studies professor from Turkey, spoke with the Global Cultures classes.  Elvan talked about diversity among Muslim women,  her experiences here in the US, a bit about her country, and some about the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.  So, what is something that surprised you during her presentation? What did you learn that you didn't know before? 

What is Islam?

In Global Cultures, we have just started a study of Islam. It's important for us to have a good understanding of basic Islamic practices, which will help us as we examine world cultures. Knowing something about Islam will also add richness to discussions that will happen during the upcoming Middle East Summit.

So...my question to you: To help us in our class study, what question do you have about Islam that we haven't covered yet?

Time to step into Web 2.0...

Global Cultures class joins the Read/Write Web! Stay tuned for links to articles, websites, assignments and, most importantly, a forum for Phoenix students to continue our ongoing Global Cultures discussions.