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

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

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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