Here is an interesting story:
Does it follow any trends recently?
http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/10/04/sri-lankas-buddhist-monks-protest-bangladesh-violence-2/
How do we prevent events like this from happening? Whose job should that be?
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Election time in Venezuela
The presidential race for Venezuela is nearing an end.
Who is Hugo Chavez and what are his policies?
Why is he so controversial in American media?
More details here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/05/venezuela-election-chavez-rally
Who is Hugo Chavez and what are his policies?
Why is he so controversial in American media?
More details here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/05/venezuela-election-chavez-rally
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Shelling in the Middle East
Shelling has begun.
We've been watching Syria over the past few weeks - were you aware it would escalate to this?
Details in link below
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443768804578034372539783626.html
Find other links on your own to support/refute what's going on.
Why would these two nations have reason to open fire on one another? What are the deeper issues involved here? Aren't they of the same religion / culture?
We've been watching Syria over the past few weeks - were you aware it would escalate to this?
Details in link below
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443768804578034372539783626.html
Find other links on your own to support/refute what's going on.
Why would these two nations have reason to open fire on one another? What are the deeper issues involved here? Aren't they of the same religion / culture?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Suggested Seminar Topics
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
- Genetically Modified Foods
- Vegetarianism vs. Meat
- Urbal Sprawl
- Athabasca Tar Sands (specific)
- Fossil Fuels
- Nuclear Energy
- Fishing Industry (overfishing and fish farms)
- Terrorism
- Immigration
- Mining (Gold, Silver, Copper, Rare Earth Elements - you pick one)
- Forestry (Clear cutting)
- Biodiversity
- Influence and Control of Media
- Corporations
- Water
- Air pollution
- Species Extinction
Seminars should be 15-20 mins in length and should inform and engage students in a topic that is global in scope. Use of visuals, audio, props, activities, etc. are recommended.
Students should have some sort of of material to take with them for reference (i.e. a handout, or notes to take).
Dates will begin on October 25th and run until November 1st (approx.).
Start preparing.
You will do these twice per year and they will compose a bulk of your communication mark (but not the entirety of it). The next round will take place during the first week of December. You may do this with a partner (preferred) or on your own. We have an odd number in our class so I will permit only one group of three. This group will have a time limit of 25-30 mins. for their presentation.
Let me know if you have comments or feedback to give me before these terms are fully agreed upon.
Please comment below or during class.
- Genetically Modified Foods
- Vegetarianism vs. Meat- Urbal Sprawl
- Athabasca Tar Sands (specific)
- Fossil Fuels
- Nuclear Energy
- Fishing Industry (overfishing and fish farms)
- Terrorism
- Immigration
- Mining (Gold, Silver, Copper, Rare Earth Elements - you pick one)
- Forestry (Clear cutting)
- Biodiversity
- Influence and Control of Media
- Corporations
- Water
- Air pollution
- Species Extinction
Seminars should be 15-20 mins in length and should inform and engage students in a topic that is global in scope. Use of visuals, audio, props, activities, etc. are recommended.
Students should have some sort of of material to take with them for reference (i.e. a handout, or notes to take).
Dates will begin on October 25th and run until November 1st (approx.).
Start preparing.
You will do these twice per year and they will compose a bulk of your communication mark (but not the entirety of it). The next round will take place during the first week of December. You may do this with a partner (preferred) or on your own. We have an odd number in our class so I will permit only one group of three. This group will have a time limit of 25-30 mins. for their presentation.
Let me know if you have comments or feedback to give me before these terms are fully agreed upon.
Please comment below or during class.
Sanctions
The current sanctions on Iran are definitely taking an impact on that country's economy.
Their currency has devalued 40% in the past week alone.
I'd like to invite you to discuss the topic of sanctions (in general -not only in Iran).
Some things to consider - (but you can consider far more than this brief list):
What are sanctions? In what ways can they be effective / ineffective?
For what reasons have countries had sanctions imposed upon them? Do you feel they were justified in those cases?
Who has imposed sanctions against Iran? How are they achieved?(i.e. what is the method?)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Glorious news - pls read
After reviewing some feedback today - plus from my own observations of what times our web traffic usage peaks - I've decided that a week will run from Monday to Sunday.This means that folks who have been posting on Sunday and miss that deadline will no longer miss the deadline. It gives you two full days on the weekend to catch up on the news.
I realize that with part time jobs, family commitments, sports, clubs, etc. that time is sometimes limited to weekends so I will accommodate for this. I know you will all be beaming after hearing this.
Keep in mind that last year students were responsible for collecting a minimum of six articles PER WEEK. This year I am considerably lightening the workload by suggesting a minimum of two (one formal, one response) in order to achieve a low level 4. Exceeding my expectations will result in higher achievement.
Hope this will allow for some more excellent discussions - I am very pleased with everyone's progress so far. Keep up the excellence!