The OBG

A topic we will be discussing the quarter is the manner in which we approach, analyze and interpret pieces of literature. How might we view The Other Boleyn Girl as historians? Does it have any historical merit? How might it compare to a primary "document" such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales?

Due by Friday Evening 9/3

Welcome Back to Modern Western Traditions

This is the blogsite where you will be contributing weekly reflective writings. Please create a Google account if you do not already have one. You will then be able to respond to postings. If you are creating an account, please use your first name, last initial so that it is easy to id you. Names such as CurlyCurlySox, ILUVEDWIN and AngryAmerican, while perhaps expressing your personality, are difficult for me to figure out! I will go over this in the first day or two if you experience any difficulties.

There will be a test covering Spielvogel only on the third class back.

Renaissance Faire

I want to begin by thanking everyone who participated in the Renaissance Fair. You guys did a great job with the events, from the performances to the booths and other activities. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. I think the second annual "Spirit of the Renaissance Award" goes to Rico for getting so into character (Defending champ Kieren more than represented). Please respond with your general impressions, what went well, what you might change for next year, etc. Due Monday PM
TBA - Due Monday

Goodbye Lenin

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.

Ordinary Men #1

Evaluate Browning's thesis in light of class discussions and the Goldhagen readings. Does it hold water? Do any of Goldhagen's criticism undermine Browning? Discuss, citing examples from all three required readings.

Ordinary Men #2

How should those who have participated in genocide or mass murder (such as the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Srebrenica, and the list goes on)be dealt with by society. To what degree should individuals be held accountable? What about those who give orders and those who carry them out? Do experiments such as those conducted by Milgram, Zimbardo and others mitigate responsibility? Why or why not? In order to get full credit on this response, you must cite specific evidence from Ordinary Men, as well as other class sources.

Versailles

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.

Due Friday am.

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 Wednesday 3/24.

Towards a New Century

Considering the "Out with the Old" reading, and the list of significant figures on p#28, who do you feel contributed the most significant thoughts as we approach a new century?

Non-credit question: Whose facial hair rules????

Imperialism

How would you "respond" to the primary document that you read? (Make sure you ID the doc)

Due Friday am.

What do you feel is the most significant legacy of the Napoleonic Era?

I will be checking Friday am.

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