Pick your poison...

Any way you look at it, military service for the rank and file soldier was a nasty business in the 18th century, where the lifestyle was as likely to kill you as the cannonballs, bullets and bayonets. Having completing your reading, and drawing specific examples from those readings or other sources, would you rather serve in the British Army on land or the navy at sea?

I will check responses when we return Monday morning from break.

Another topic relevant story

Times have changed since Galileo.
Vatican looks to heavens for signs of alien life

Thoughts on the Brinkman Presentation

Please share your thoughts on Baba Brinkman's presentation here at Cheshire. Was it what you expected after reading his introduction? Do you feel his arguments have academic merit? Does he make Chaucer more accessable to 21st century students? Favorite aspect?? Is this type of activity worth considering for future classes?

Due Monday AM

Swine Flu and Monkeypox

In response to a question posed in class about the origins of many diseases, an interesting article appeared in the 11/2/09 Forbes Magazine entitled "Swine Flue and Monkeypox," by Robert Langreth. The article focuses on an immunologist who is a leader in attempting to detect potentially deadly viruses before they spread widely among humans. The direct link will soon be provided.

Interesting Wikipedia Article

Washington Post article on Wikipedia. Highlights some of the benefits and flaws.

The behind-the-scenes historian

Vatican makes it easier for Anglicans to convert

Interesting article from the Washington Post. 465 years after Henry VIII split with the Catholic Church, and 411 years after the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the RCC is making headway in the Counter-Reformation.

"The Encounter"

How should we as a society view Columbus? Should he be celebrated? Vilified? Something else? Why?

Responses due by Friday 10/16

What if.....?

A good read for those interested in history is The Collected "What If..?", by Robert Cowley. What if Luther had not posted his 95 Thesis at Wittenberg? Was the Reformation inevitable? Why/Why not???

Due Monday PM

Get Out of Jail Free: Monopoly's Hidden Maps

Cool story for those interested in WWII history.

Get Out of Jail Free: Monopoly's Hidden Maps

Discuss/Evaluate Baba Brinkman's introduction to his Rap Canterbury Tales project. Does his work make Chaucer more accessible to a new generation or provide a better understanding of Chaucer? On the development of literature in Britain? Are Brinkman's translations any less "scholarly" than those you read in the Penguin Canterbury Tales? Share your thoughts on The Rap Canterbury Tales!

Due Friday 9/25

Modern Day Da Vinci

Is there a modern day DaVinci? Can you think of anyone in our time who may be looked upon in the same light centuries down the road? If so, who and why? If not, why not?

Summer Reading Articles

Discuss in a few paragraphs any aspect of the handout articles on the Middle Ages that you found interesting or surprising. Did these articles present a view of this period that might have challenged your preconceptions? If you need further prompts, consider the "Questions to Ponder"

Due Friday PM

Welcome HIST 1400: Modern Western Traditions Fall '09

Welcome to the upcoming sections of HIST 1400: Modern Western Traditions for this fall of '09. Your first submitted assignment is to create a google account (username and password) if you do not have one, and respond to this blog by clicking on "# comments" below and submitting a comment of "Test Submission."

Goodbye Lenin, Goodbye 2008-'09 School Year!

Respond to one of the following:
1) How would you characterize Alex's mother, Christiane, as a mother and a citizen of the GDR? In what ways are these two roles intertwined for her and her children? Does her affection for and devotion to the GDR make her seem sympathetic or odd (or both)?
2) Discuss the director's use of literary devices such as sarcasm and irony to address the social, political and economic realities facing East Germans in 1989/90. Is he effective? Use specific examples from the movie to illustrate your points.

Due Wednesday Evening. NO POSTS will be accepted late.

Post-War Europe

What is your analysis of the argument put forth in The Tragedy of American Diplomacy? Rethinking the Marshall Plan? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this thesis? Limit your responses to 2 pages MAX. There is an excellent site, http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/ , that includes video interviews with several key figures in Cold War politics. See in particular Episodes 2, 3 & 4.

Responses due Friday 6/8.

Cold War

Did David Hasselhoff really help end the Cold War? (Did Al Gore invent the Internet?) An amusing look at the end of the Cold War by the BBC. Don't worry, more reading is to come!

Ordinary Men

Video Link: Recent Lecture by Prof. Philip Zimbardo at MIT entitled "The Lucifer Effect." Prof. Zimbardo discusses his involvement in the Abu Ghraib trials of US military personnel in Iraq.



This second video link is from Dataline Australia and contains interviews with prison guards from Abu Grhaib and the former commanding officer,

Gallery Visit

Share your thoughts on the gallery visit. What did you like, dislike and why? What is art to you?

Period 8 Survey

Click Here to take survey

Life on the front.

Much of our focus will be on the lives and effects of war on individuals during the First and Second World Wars. Having viewed and discussed some aspects of life on the front, whether in the trenches, the air or at sea, what would be your greatest fear or challenge and why? (Don't just say dying.) Refer to examples from the sources we have used.

Due Monday 5/18.

WWI Readings

Respond to the following prompts:

• What ideas or themes presented in your chosen reading were new to you?
• Did the article lead you to look at this period of history any differently? Why/Why not?

TO GET CREDIT YOU MUST REFER SPECIFICALLY TO CONTENT FROM THE ARTICLES YOU ARE DISCUSSING.

(PHOTO: Francis Derwent Wood @ http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php)
Operation Mend is the modern evolution of the work begun by Sir Harold Delf Gillies, Francis Derwent Wood and others during the First World War. If you read "Faces of War" you should view both of these sites.

This response is due Friday 5/15.

Week of 5-4

Respond to 1 of the questions based on your reading.

1 - To what degree are Europeans responsible for the troubles in modern Africa?
2 - Who was the most influential thinker/philosopher of the 19th century? Why? (You may discuss someone from the assigned readings or another individual.)
3 - What's up with the facial hair? (Optional, will not receive credit.)

Renassaince Fair

I want to begin by thanking everyone who participated in today's Renaissance Fair. You guys did a great job with the events, from the jousting (maybe next year) to the play and other activities. Way back in sunny, warm, early September, having a Renaissance Fair on Shakespear's birthday sounded like a great idea, and still is, if you live in in the Southern US (Miami 80/Sunny). Maybe next year we will celebrate on Sandro Botticelli's birthday (5/17). However, the rain held off, and overall the day wasn't too bad. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I think the "Spirit of the Renaissance Award" goes to Kieran for getting so into character. We will be posting a survey later for detailed feedback about the activities, including suggestions should today turn out to be the First Annual...

Period 8
Please respond with your general impressions, what went well, what you might change for next year, etc. Due Monday PM

Period 8 Renaissance Faire

http://images.townnews.com/nctimes.com/content/articles/2008/04/13/news/inland/escondido/d18b2bae9e5196d18825742a000269431.jpg

I would like your feedback on the RenFair prep thus far. This is the first one, so it is somewhat made up as we go along. Will it/should it be the First Annual or Last Ever? We won't make a final determination until afterward, but what has worked well and what would you change thus far? Any ideas for between now and 4/23? Post them here so we can discuss your thoughts (and so I can give you another blog response grade).

Romantic Era

Respond to the following.

Reflection: (post lesson) To be completed/graded individually.

• How well did your lesson implementation meet your goals and objectives?
• In retrospect, what else might you have done?
• Include comments regarding class’s involvement in discussion including comments, questions, level of interest/engagement.
• How did this assignment promote student learning? How could it be modified?
• Write personal thoughts, feelings, observations, and ideas about the lesson that will inform others who may want to use your lesson plan.
• Address how you contributed to your team’s success including the role(s) you played in the preparation & execution of the lesson.

IR Primaries

Respond to the following:

1. What can this type of exercise teach about about history? The study of history?
2. How is researching a period solely through primary documents different than relying on secondary source material? Have you looked at history differently differently through this exercise?
3. What questions were left unanswered?
4. Any additional thoughts?

Responses due Monday 3/16

Period 3 Master and Commander Response

The trepanning image from special effects guru Mathew Mungle @ http://www.matthewwmungle.com/Resume.htm. One of the oldest recorded surgical procedures. Discuss this or some of the other examples of life aboard an early 19th century naval vessel in time of war that you found interesting, disturbing or maybe downright gross!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/13112/master-and-commander-the-far-side-of-the-world-first-encounter

Period 8 French Revolution Blog - Due Monday

Period 8 only need respond to this blog. (Was optional for 3 priod to exams)

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." John F. Kennedy

"A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets." Napoleon Bonaparte

Which of these two men do you think would present the more compelling argument?