Week 12

Due this Friday: Assault on Reason. Make sure you read this week: Two articles on Sudan. I will make this week a NO BLOG week. I am feeling sympathetic towards Jones. Word! (I don't mean that the Microsoft way, but the way rappers use it...which I feel has more meaning). Coming soon: A summative evaluation on our Media and geopolitics unit. Also coming soon: a quiz on our food unit. Check that 10 page package and review notes on the presentations.

Ferguson decision

...taking place tonight. I'm watching this. Guilty or innocent? Will this city burn either way? Look at past example of Rodney King for insight into the potential. - also, side note: Who decides to release these decisions at NIGHT? They could be released at 9 A.M., at 4 a.m. when everyone has visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads - or even at 6:30 AM - does it matter either way? But 9 p.m.? If the decision isn't favourable...you could have an ISSUE on your hand.

Ferguson

The town of Ferguson is awaiting a grand jury decision regarding the innocence/guilt of officer Darren Wilson. This article on a new era of policing is worthy of commentary. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/new-era-of-policing-will-the-benefits-of-body-worn-cameras-outweigh-the-privacy-issues/article21698547/

Kenya bus attack

What was the motivation behind these shootings? Kenya is a popular tourist destination (safaris, Kilimanjaro, etc.). How does this have broader implications for the economy and society of this nation? What does the government do about such a scenario?

Mexico Shootings

Discuss some of the broader implications of this weeks' protests over 43 missing students in Mexico. In Canada our right to protest is the freedom of assembly. What actions are the protesters taking? What have they achieved? What more are they trying to achieve? What challenges do the police fact in these scenarios? Are police merely trying to do their job? Or are they somehow a symbol of what protesters are rallying against? How has the freedom of assembly taking a twist in the modern era with protesters organizing themselves with bandanas, tear gas, etc.

Week 11

I'll start with the open thread here and add a few more in the next day. Use this thread to report on global news events taking place this week. You may use a global media or geopolitical theme if you wish (based on what we are discussing in class at the moment), or any other you feel relevant.

Week 10 - Social Media

This week's topic will be digital technology and social media. Feel free to go off on your theories here - these questions are just to get the ball rolling in case you have writer's block. What are the issues here? What solutions does it give us; what problems does it bring us? What landmark events (if any) has it given us? Has it led to greater What illnesses/tragedies has it brought us? Should technology come with rules? or should society navigate blindly through it and learn from mistakes? Do you feel that social media is beneficial or detrimental for society as whole? Do you feel limitations should be set on what is acceptable? (i.e. content or age limits). If so, what type of implications are there in terms of who is in charge of these rules?