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

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?