Goodbye Lenin '08

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.

3) It's 2008. How does Alex Kerner view the last decade and a half of his life? What struggles has he faced as Germany has unified and entered into the EU? Is "the West" the paradise he expected?

Alternative Assignment for those missing Goodbye Lenin.

Watch CNN Cold War Episode 23 & 24

Respond to the following: What changes allowed the revolutions in 1989 to succeed where others had failed? Did the reality of change meet people's expectations?

Gallery Visit '08

Select one of the following to respond to:

1 - Select any of the images we viewed last Friday. What were your initial impressions? Why have you selected this image? How might studying the work yield a greater understanding of the historical period and vice-versa? If you did not attend the trip, visit one of the sites below and examine a work online to complete the assignment.

http://artgallery.yale.edu/

http://ycba.yale.edu/education/edu_fellowships.html

2 - Choose any two works that we viewed and compare them. You do not need to worry about researching art terminology, but talk about why you chose these specific works, what you observed and aspects you can relate to discussions we have had over the course of the year.

How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed

"Slavenka Drakulic has been called the Simone de Beauvoir of Eastern Europe, and this book is a testament as to why." Robin Morgan

We read two excerps, "A Chat with My Censor" and "How We Survived." What do these chapters reveal about ordinary life under a communist regime? What are three things the author said that you think are important? How do panty hose, shoeboxes, cans and old pants relate to the title of the final chapter? Is this picture of communism what you expected?

Her Life Through Their Eyes

The Tragedy of the Marshall Plan???

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 5/2.

Versailles Conference 2k8

Reflective Journal Response. The rubric for evaluating your reflective writing is in the public folder. PLEASE NOTE: I cannot access the rubric from home either. Sorry.

Respond to the following prompts: (Due by Wednesday 3/19) Did the Versailles Conference process enhance your understanding of the political, social and economic issues facing the world in the aftermath of the Great War? What aspects did you find particularly engaging? Was negotiating difficult? (If so, what might this tell us of the circumstances facing nations who were truly invested in the process?) Were problems left unresolved? What questions or issues were left unaddressed? What would you change? What other issues would you like to raise in the post-conference class discussion?Keep in mind, I am looking for quality responses that satisfy the requirements of the rubric. Length is up to you.

There isn't any such thing as the past.

According to David McCullough, why should we study history? What are your thoughts on his interview with Roger Mudd.

Legacy of Napoleon

Several of the online readings discuss the legacy of Napoleon - from spreading ideas of the French Revolution, to awakening nationalist sentiments, to modernizing warfare and more. What is his most important legacy and why?

@ Right - Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques Louis David

18th Century Readings

1) Ranum. What kind of man was Richelieu?

2) Kimmil. How absolute is absolutism? In what way were England and France similar? Different?

Modern Day DaVinci????

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?

Welcome Back '07-'08

Using APEuroblog:To use the Euroblog, you will need to click on "Get Your Own Blog" at the top of the page. Create an account with a username and password. This will allow you to post responses on my APEuroblog. When you post, you will not see an immediate posting. I must first accept the post before it shows up for all to see. This is simply to keep non-class responses off the site. Do not keep hitting the POST button. I will give a demonstration of all of this on our first day back. Enjoy the last few weeks.

ASSIGNMENT: Post a confirmation/test response to this under your new username.

DON'T FORGET to WRITE DOWN your USERNAME and PASSWORD!!! If you forget, you will have to create a new account.

WWI Readings-Reflective Responses

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 teh bigger picture of history any differently? Why/Why not?
• Can any of the lessons/events of the WWI period be applied in a contemporary setting?

(PHOTO: Francis Derwent Wood @ http://www.projectfacade.com/index.php)

Imperialism Response

Post your Imperialism editorials? See my webpage for instructions.

Question to Consider: America is often accused of acting as an Imperial power, by detractors both outside and within. Do you agree or disagree?

Baradat Readings

We will be playing catch-up due to my absence. Thus, to keep you thinking, I want you each to write a critical review of Baradat's Political Ideologies. Please support your opinion with well reasoned analysis and evidence!

"A picture says a thousand words."

Select any of the images we viewed last Friday. What were your initial impressions? Why have you selected this image? How might studying the work yield a greater understanding of the historical period and vice-versa? If you did not attend the trip, visit one of the sites below and examine a work online to complete the assignment.

http://artgallery.yale.edu/
http://ycba.yale.edu/education/edu_fellowships.html

The Industrail Revolution Primary Documents Exercise

Respond to the following:

1. What can this type of exercise teach about about history? The study of history?
2. Have you looked at history differently differently through this exercise?
3. What questions were left unanswered?
4. Any additional thoughts?

The Romantic Revolution

What elements of the French Revolution enthralled Romantics? What means are justified in order to create a "better" society?

"A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine." Thomas Jefferson

"One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes a revolution in order to establish a dictatorship." George Orwell

"When one makes a Revolution, one cannot mark time; one must always go forward - or go back. He who now talks about the "freedom of the press" goes backward, and halts our headlong course towards Socialism." Vladimir Lenin

"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

"Any people anywhere being inclined and having the power have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and force a new one that suits them better." Abraham Lincoln

Responses due Wednesday 12/6

How should we view Christopher Columbus?

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

Responses due by Friday

Trial of Henry VIII

Please respond to the following, making sure that you keep in mind the criteria for the blog responses (see your rubric):

• What key elements was each side successful in arguing?
• What did your side do well?
• What were your weaknesses?
• How did/did this exercise contribute to your understanding of the impact of the Reformation?

Is there a modern day DaVinci?

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?

Welcome Back to School - AP Euro '06-'07

Using APEuroblog:
To use the Euroblog, you will need to click on "Get Your Own Blog" at the top of the page. Create an account with a username and password. This will allow you to post responses on my APEuroblog. When you post, you will not see an immediate posting. I must first accept the post before it shows up for all to see. This is simply to keep non-class responses off the site. Do not keep hitting the POST button. I will give a demonstration of all of this on our first day back. Enjoy the last few weeks.