Week 15 (Final) Question

Thus far I've really enjoyed reading your entries for week 14. It really pleases me that you are taking the time to write such thoughtful, creative responses (thanks!).

For our final blog question, I'd like you to continue using your analytical thinking skills. However, this time, we will looking at a different type of creative expression: poetry.

Next Monday we will briefly discuss a short poem written by Gary Snyder (a famous American poet heavily influenced by Eastern spirituality). Snyder's poem deals with the world and more specifically, the environment/wild places.

In this week's blog response, we will look at a poem by Henry David Thoreau (a famous 19th centry writer), who was, no doubt, an influence on Gary Snyder's work. Because Thoreau wrote in the mid-19th century, you'll notice that his English is a little different than the English used today (can you figure out what 'tis and 'twill mean?) Despite this, if you read the poem 4-5 times, you should be able to get at the basic meaning. If necessary, use a dictionary.

First, go to the link below and read the poem. Then, answer the questions below. Like week 14's question, try to write a more formal response to this, our final blog entry. Enjoy!

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/epitaph-on-the-world/

Questions:
1) The title of the poem is "Epitaph on the world." An "epitaph" is a short statement on someone's tomb or gravestone in memory of the person buried there. Why do you think Thoreau gives his poem this title?
2) Thoreau mentions three types of metal: gold, silver, and iron, in that order. What do you think each metal represents in the poem?
3) In your opinion, what is Thoreau main message in this poem? Do you agree or disagree with this message?

Thanks to you for all of your entries. I've read and enjoyed each and every one. Have a great holiday.

Josh

Week 14 Question

As I mentioned in class, this week's blog is a little different than previous blogs in a number of ways. First, in order to participate, you must navigate to a couple of other websites so that you can look at, interpret, and compare two famous works of art (see links below). Second, I expect all of you to give a more "formal" response to the questions below. In other words, I'd like you to write more than a few sentences in your response. Consider this a sort of "online essay." Don't worry, I don't expect you to write a 3-page response; I do expect you to give a well-thought-out, organized answer. Finally, when writing your response, I'd really like you to reach into the depths of your creative mind: look at each work, read it, interpret it, and enjoy it.

Click on the links below. Look at each work of art for as long as needed. Then, answer the questions below.

http://www.abcgallery.com/R/rivera/rivera130.html By Diego Rivera (Mexico)
http://www.abcgallery.com/V/vangogh/vangogh35.html By Vincent Van Gogh (Netherlands)

Both paintings explore the theme of labor (work). However, each painting has its own perspective of the work: the people involved, the place, the type of work, the people's relationship to their job, etc.

In a short essay-type response, compare/contrast the different ways that each painting explores the theme of work. Be sure to fully explain your answer (don't make your reader guess, tell them what you mean!). Remember, this is your interpretaion--one of many! There is no "right" answer. Good luck!

Week 13 Question

Wow! I really enjoyed reading your week 12 responses to the Hellgate visit. I'm happy that it was such a positive experience for you.

For week 13, I'd like to add one final piece to our Hellgate experience. This weekend, you are all doing your best to answer questions the Hellgate students still had for you. For this week's blog entry, I'd like you all to do the same. To be exact, I'd like you all to write two final questions for the Hellgate students. Your questions should be questions that you had wanted to ask, but weren't able to ask for whatever reason. These questions might have to do with your essay topic, or they could simply have to do with some issue you are still curious about. I will later forward these questions on to Hixson and ask her students to respond to them.

Week 12 Question

Once again, I'd like to thank you all for doing such a great job at Hellgate HS on Wednesday. I hope it was as fun/interesting for you as it was for me.

For this week's question, I'd like you to reflect upon our experience at Hellgate. Based on the observations you were able to make about the teachers, students, classrooms, and the school in general, what is the most significant difference between American high schools and high schools in your country? Please give specific examples to support your answer.

As a follow-up question: What was the best part (for you) of our visit to Hellgate?

Week 11 Question

This week's question is on the less-than-serious side.

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday (as far as holiday's go). Maybe it's the fact that I've got a huge sweet tooth, or it could be that there always seems to be something fun to do on Halloween night. Then again, it might have something to do with the fact that I love Stephen King, a famous horror author.

Anyways, this week's question comes in three parts: First, what did you think about Halloween before you came to the U.S.? Second, what were your impressions of the holiday after your first Halloween (for those of you who have been here for more than a year)? And finally, what are you going to do/what did you do for this year's Halloween?

Week 10 Question

On Nov. 3rd we will take a short field trip to a local high school. During this visit, you will have the opportunity to meet and talk to American high school students. We will also use this visit as a way to generate ideas for Essay #4.

As a prelude to this trip, I'd like for you to discuss your impressions of American high school students. More specifically, I'd like you to explain what stereotypes you have about high school students in the U.S. (your assumptions about what you think American high school students are like). These stereotypes can be based on movies, TV shows, pop music, hearsay, or personal experience.

Week 9 Question

This week's question is perhaps a no-brainer (you were probably expecting it).

Last night most of you were present for the play "Brighton Beach Memoirs." To be sure, there were some moments during the play when I was a little embarrassed due to "questionable" content. Conversely, there were times when I thought the play evoked the honest sentiment of a close-knit family trying to struggle through the Great Depression. My opinions aside, let's focus on your impressions of the play.

First, what was your overall impression of "Brighton Beach Memoirs"?

As a follow-up: Did you find any of the play's content inappropriate, offensive, or otherwise unnecessary? Why or why not?

For those who didn't attend: What movie have you seen recently that you felt "crossed the line" in terms of appropriate/inappropriate content?

Week 8 Question

I've enjoyed reading your entries for week 7. It doesn't at all surprise me that some you are less than crazy about American food. I myself have had trouble finding palatable food here in the U.S. since returning from Korea back in August.

On to this week's question......The fact that you've got mid-terms next week is something I'm sure you're all aware of. Good luck to all of you. This week's question pertains to what you do when you've got a stressful week of studying ahead (like mid-terms). To be exact, what specific studying strategies do you employ when you have a big test or even multiple tests coming up? What do you do to stay focused, motivated, and consistently engaged in your studies?

Week 7 Question

This week's question is different from previous questions in that it's a little less serious and it has nothing to do with any of our in-class topics.

You are all living and studying here in the U.S. Therefore, you are all (to some extent) forced to eat American food, listen to American music, interact with Americans, watch American TV shows/movies, etc. I'm sure a few of you may very well enjoy eating American food and listening to American music on a regular basis, but it is probably also true that a number of you miss your home country's food, music, social interactions, and so on.

Which part of American culture do you enjoy the most? Why?

Conversely, what aspect of your country's culture do you miss the most? Why?

Week 6 Question

First, I'd like to say that your week 5 blog comments are very well-written and interesting to read.
Next week's topic has to do with how different cultures around the world celebrate rites of passage; that is, a formal event/ritual/celebration that marks a transition/change in a person's social status. While most Americans probably don't think about it, there are, in fact, a number of rites of passage here in the U.S. Examples include baptism and confirmation (religious), graduation (coming of age), and the African-American tradition of giving a child their first haircut on their first birthday (also coming of age), to name a few.

Think about the rites of passage performed in your culture. Describe one important rite of passage in your country. Make sure to explain who, what, when, why, and how.

Week 5 Question

Our next topic in Mosaics 2 deals with appearance. More specifically, we will look at an article that explains the history and significance of tattoos in different cultures around the world. Since arriving in the U.S., you've probably noticed that tattoos are quite popular among men and women of all ages and backgrounds (though not everyone thinks them socially acceptable, just ask my mom!).
Are tattoos socially acceptable in your country? Why or why not? If yes, how popular are they? Who usually gets tattoos? Would you ever get a tattoo?

Week 4 Question

The topic for chapter 3 is gender differences in communication, which we will talk about later. On a similar note, let's talk about body language. One way people communicate is through body language (gestures, eye contact, how close we stand when speaking to someone, etc.). After traveling to a number of different countries, I'd say that understanding a new culture's body language can sometimes be more important than learning the language itself (only sometimes!).

Based on your experience here in the U.S., how do the ways people use body language in your country differ from the body language you observe and experience here in the U.S.? Give some specific examples/personal experiences to illustrate the differences.

Week 3 Question

In some countries, there is a lot controversy over whether native language teachers are necessary in order for people to become proficient in a a language.
What do you think? Do people need native teachers to attain proficiency in a target language? Explain your answer.