Current Events

In the next class we will talk about current events and/or what you think was one of the most important events of 2010. Look at the websites below for ideas. When you choose your topic, please be specific and tell us your topic in the comments.

Try these websites:

The Globe and Mail (Canada's largest national newspaper)

Japan Press Weekly (English news service sponsored by the Japanese Communist Party)

Joe Bageant's Blog (an American critic of American politics & culture)

Little Green Footballs (a conservative yet alternative American blog)

Newseum (see the front pages of newspapers from all over the US)

New Zealand Herald (NZ's largest newspaper)

The Times of India (largest English-language newspaper in the world)

VBS.TV (video reports on current affairs, popular culture, travel, extreme sports, and music)

Vietnam News (daily English newspaper in Hanoi)

Written Reports

Here are some reminders about the reports due next class:
1. One to two pages long(double-spaced)
2. Don't personalize (do not write "I think..." or "We should... " etc)
3. Use at least two sources (Wikipedia doesn't count)
4. Be very careful with plagiarism.
5. Topic should relate to something we studied BUT should be original and focused.
6. Take the report beyond defining or summarizing something. Find opinions, suggestions, solutions, different interpretations, comparisons.
7. "Think outside the box." Be innovative and creative in your research (i.e. survey students, interview a professor, go somewhere, etc...
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And, as always, contact me if you need help or have any questions!

Written Report Topics

Our written reports are due on December 14th so next week we will discuss our topics, brainstorm and organize our papers. I will also tell you the details about how to do the reports.
For this week, please tell us in the comments the 3 topics that you might

write about. The topics should be related to what we have discussed in class. For ideas, look at past blogs and your class notes. As always, you can write to me if you have questions or need help.

*UPDATE* You need to be more specific than just "current events" or "happiness"!! Please tell us exactly which current event or what aspect of happiness etc... you will write about!!

The Future of Education

In the next class we will discuss about the future of education. First, think about how education has changed since the time your parents and grandparents were students. Realize that in the next generation (30 years), education will likely change even more than it has in the last 100 years. Now, choose one question and answer in the comments. You may give general answers or provide details.

1. What are some ways that education has changed in the last 100 years?

2. Make a prediction about how education might change in the next 30 years.

3. Suggest how you think education SHOULD change in the next 30 years.

Charity, Volunteering & Social Causes

As you can see in the chart above, women seem to be much more generous than men in giving to charity. Was it always like this? Please watch this VIDEO about the history of women donating to women's social causes and answer ONE of the questions below:
1. What is your reaction to the video?
2. Tell us about a time you donated money or volunteered time to a charity.
3. Why do you think women are more generous than men these days?

Next week we will discuss events that are happening in the world now. Please choose something interesting from one of the websites below. Leave a brief comment about what you chose so others won't choose the same story!

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New Internationalist

British magazine focusing on poverty and inequality

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Al Jazeera

Television and web-based news source based in Qatar with an Arab viewpoint

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Council on Foreign Relations

An American think-tank specializing in foreign relations

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Xinhuanet News

A Chinese news website in English

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G Online

This is an Australian online magazine focusing on environment

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The Guardian

British general newspaper

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HESO

Tokyo-based culture magazine in English

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Radio Netherlands

Dutch news, in English

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Reason

An American news site with a libertarian view

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Montreal Mirror

Canadian magazine of news and culture

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Wired Magazine

Reports on how technology affects society and culture

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The Japan Times

Japan's oldest English news source (since 1897)

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Cape Times

South African news

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The Irish Times

General news from Ireland

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Happiness

How happy are you? Answer the poll below then answer ONE of the following questions in our class blog's comments.

How happy are you?

• Very happy
• Happy
• Not so happy
• Unhappy

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1. Why do you think some countries and cultures are happier than others?

2. What things about your life make you happy and unhappy?

3. Governments try to make their citizens educated, healthy and rich. Do you think they should also have the goal of making them happy?

4. Is it possible to be happy all the time? Why or why not?

Alternative Eating

In the next class we are going to talk about different ways of eating including: vegetarianism, bin-diving, underground restaurants, street food, unusual recipes and much more!
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Watch this VIDEO about an illegal underground restuarant in London. Then answer ONE question below.
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1. What was something interesting you noticed about this "restaurant"?
2. Have you ever been to an alternative-style restaurant? Tell us about it!
3. Why do you think underground restaurants are popular recently?
4. Do you know of any interesting eating trends in Japan or abroad?
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Judging People

Whenever we see or meet someone for the first time, we immediately judge them. There are different things we notice about them that give us an impression and this helps us to make a decision about what kind of person they are. Basically, we quickly imagine their entire background and decide whether we like them or not within a few seconds. Read all of the questions below and answer ONE of them in the comments.

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1. What things about people do you notice when you first meet/see them? How do these things help you judge them?

2. Have you ever been wrong in your judgement of someone? What happened?

3. Why are we so quick about judging people? What are the good and bad things about judging people?

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Where Good Ideas Come From

Watch the video HERE and use the worksheet you got in class to help you. (If you need a worksheet email me!)

Read ALL of the questions, choose only ONE, and answer it in the comments. Don't forget your name!

1. What's the difference between a 'breakthrough idea' and a 'hunch'?

2. Who invented the Internet and how long did it take him to get the idea?

3. Why did so many new ideas come from the coffee houses and salons?

4. What kind of things is the Internet doing to our brains?

5. What is the great driver of scientific and technological innovation?

6. What does this mean?: "Chance favors the connected mind"

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Review

We will review all of our topics in the next class and I will give you some questions for you to think about that will be on the test on July 27th.
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Have a happy Umi Day!
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Second Report

On July 13th we will have our second reports - one written report (1-2 pages with references) and the discussion (2-3 minutes you talking and 2-3 minutes discussion).
Please let me know if you have any questions!
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Apologizing

Out topic for July 6th is about apologizing. This week, think about how and when you say you are sorry. Choose ONE of the questions below and answer it in the comments.

1. When was the last time you sincerely apologized for something? Did it improve the situation?

2. Are you aware of any cultural differences in apologizing in other countries?

3. Can you think of any famous apologies?

4. Would you ever apologize for something that wasn't your fault? If yes, give an example. If not, why not?

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Current Events and Issues

Next class we will discuss issues and events that are happening right now! Please read a news article or research a little about an issue that interests you and be able to talk about it to your group.

Below are some ideas about where you can get information (but you can choose your own sources too):

Al Jazeera

Good

The Guardian

National Public Radio

Radio Netherlands

Russia Today

Slate

Ukraine News

Wired News

Xinhua News

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Diaspora

A map showing the countries with large numbers of people from the Greek diaspora

The word "diaspora" comes from Greek, meaning "a scattering of seeds". In English, it describes the movement of many people from their home country to other countries or even within their home countries. The reasons can range from economic, political, environmental or others.

Diasporas have happened throughout history. The Jews were expelled from Palestine 2600 years ago and experienced another diaspora when the Nazis wrecked havoc across Europe in the mid-20th century. Some modern diasporas include the tens of thousands of Iraqis who have left their country due to the occupation by the US military as well as the 1.3 million people who left New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Please click on one of the diasporas below, find some interesting information and write about it in the comments.

African

Australian


Basque


British


Chinese


Indian


Japanese


Korean


Polish


Ukrainian

Pure Language: Jamaican English

We will talk about what it means when we talk about language - for example, what is "pure" English? Is it the English they speak in England? But the United States has more speakers... Why not Jamaican English? Check out the video HERE and learn a little bit of Jamaican Patois then answer ONE of the questions below.

1. What is your impression of Jamaican English?

2. What is your experience with different types of English? (i.e. did you have an Australian teacher, but then went to Canada for a homestay?)

3.Do you have an opinion about what "pure" Japanese is?

4. In France, the French Academy is a group of scholars that decides what "pure" French language is. What is your opinion? Should Japan have an academy like this? Is it possible to control a language? Should we try to keep our languages "pure"?

Food Culture: Norway

When you think of Norway, what kind of food do you think of? Well, watch a Norwegian cooking show HERE and you'll learn how they make smoked fish and nettle stew outside and next to a fjord!

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After you watch, please answer ONE of the following questions:

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1. In this video, what food was similar to your country's food? What was different?

2. What is your favorite food? Do you know any of the history behind it?

3. What is the most interesting or oddest food you have ever tried? Would you recommend it?

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If you're interested, there is a restaurant in Kichijoji that serves Scandinavian food. It's called Allt Gott. Check it out!

Try cooking something yourself! Here are some recipes (in Japanese).

Or you can order Norwegian food and drinks and other goods online HERE.

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First Reports due 6/1

Written Report
1-2 pages typed
references

Oral Report
2-3 minutes speaking (you may use an outline, but don't read your report)
2-3 minutes discussion with the group

Send me an email if you have any questions!
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Cults

In common usage, "cult" has a negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group by its opponents, for a variety of possible reasons.

Examples of cults can include religious and non-religious groups. For example, the following groups have been called cults by their opponents:
Amway (a business), the Branch Davidian’s (a Christian group), Aum Shinrikyo (a mixture of religions), therapy groups (Synanon), and military organizations (Symbionese Liberation Army).

Think about these questions then answer ONE in the comments:

1. What do you think is the difference between a cult and other groups?

2. What is a cult that you know of? What do you know about them?

3. Why do you think people join cults?
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Youth Culture in Aging Societies

In these countries, more than half of the population is over 40 years old and their populations are shrinking (getting smaller):

Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, Italy, Cuba, Austria

As a nation gets older and produces fewer young people, the youth culture has less and less influence on society. This can cause frustration and hopelessness among young people.

Think about all of these questions then answer one of them in the comments.

1. What kinds of problems are caused by aging societies?

2. What kinds of problems are caused by shrinking populations?

3. Why do you think young people feel frustrated in these aging and shrinking societies?

4. What can be done to improve the situation for young people?

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Managing Stress

Next class we will be looking at how people in Britain are trying to make their offices less stressful. We will discuss different aspects of stress and think of ideas about managing stress in our lives.

In the comments, please answer one of the questions:

1. What causes you the most stress in your life?

2. Do you have any good ways to handle stress?

3. Are there any situations where stress is good?

4. What countries do you think have the most stressed-out people? What countries have the most relaxed people?

Lying

Next class we will talk about lying (not telling the truth). Please think about ALL of the questions below. Then, choose ONE question and write your answer in the comments.

1. Sometimes parents lie to their kids. Can you think of any examples? Why do parents do this?

2. Sometimes adults lie to each other. Can you think of any examples? Why do we do this?

3. Can you think of any examples when lying is better than telling the truth?

Neighbors Poll

Your neighbor is a middle-aged yakuza member.

• I'd have absolutely no problem with him.
• It wouldn't bother me much.
• I'd rather not have him as a neighbor.
• I definitely don't want him as a neighbor.

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Your neighbors are a young couple from Nigeria.

• I'd have absolutely no problem with them.
• It wouldn't bother me much.
• I'd rather not have them as neighbors.
• I definitely don't want them as neighbors.

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Your neighbor is a 35-year-old homosexual Japanese male.

• I'd have absolutely no problem with him.
• It wouldn't bother me much.
• I'd rather not have him as a neighbor.
• I definitely don't want him as a neighbor.

View Results
Create a Blog Poll