Monday, February 28, 2011

Imperialism Editorials

Refer to the assignment on the Imperialism page on the Home site. Submit your editorial below. You must respond within the 300-500 word limit.

Due Monday 3/7

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

"Out with the Old"






Readings - "Out w/ the Old"
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????

Due 3/4

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

Due 3/2

Friday, January 21, 2011

Period 8 Reflection

Please complete the reflection by clicking the link below, copying the document and sharing your response. This is due by Wednesday am.

Thanks.
Period 8 Reflection

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

The Madness of King George

King George III: Mad or misunderstood?

The Madness of King George: the only insanity is Nigel Hawthorne losing out on the Oscar to Forrest Gump

The Madness of King George and the Evolution of British Politics.

Essential Questions:
• What is the relationship between the Crown and parliament in 1780’s Great Britain?
• What is the role of the King in British society at this time?
• What actions did Parliament take to increase it’s power and weaken that of the monarchy?
• How were mental health issues perceived and treated at the time? Had healthcare advanced much since the Middle Ages?
To the French Revolution:
• How does Britain as depicted in MKG compare to France in the 1780’s?
• How does the role of the Monarchy in England compare to that of the French King?
• Why do you think revolution takes place in France and not in Great Britain?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Bloody Revolutions


"What country before ever existed a century & a half without a rebellion? & what country can preserve it's liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it's natural manure." Thomas Jefferson. Letter to William Smith.

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

Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary.
Mahatma Gandhi, 'Satyagraha Leaflet No. 13,' May 3, 1919

Is radical and violent revolution justifiable?

Due Monday 12/6

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

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.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

McCullough Article

There Isn't Any Such Thing as the Past

James Burke - Connections


Is Burke on to something or just, in the words of Tom Esty, "suffering from History ADD." Both? Take a look at the James Burke Institute's Knowledge Web. What does he share in common with David McCullough (Periods 7/8)? (Make the Connections, ha...ha).

One Word Part 1
One Word Part 2
One Word Part 3


Due Friday 10/29

Monday, October 04, 2010

Columbus Day and "Culture Wars"




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

Responses due by Friday 10/15

Monday, September 20, 2010

Modern Day Da VInci


Do not respond to this until your class section has viewed the Da Vinci video.

Is there a modern day Da Vinci? 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?

Due Friday 9/24.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Rap Canterbury Tales???


Share your thoughts on Baba Brinkman's Preface to the Rap Canterbury Tales. Do you feel his arguments have academic merit? Does he make Chaucer more accessable to 21st century students?

Due Wednesday 9/15

Monday, August 30, 2010

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

Friday, August 20, 2010

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.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

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.