"Killing Fields" Reflection

We've spent a good portion of class time talking about Cambodia and the genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge.  Use your notes to write a reflection on this topic.  Your reflection must demonstrate understanding of the geo-political and socio-historical issues that contributed to this horrific event.  It might also be helpful to relate this to other topics/events studied this year.

Reflection - Partition

Identify and evaluate the causes and consequences of the partition of India.  Be sure to identify course themes in your response (ex. imperialism, agency, interdependence, globalization, etc.)

Reflection - Nationalism in South Asia

Discuss the positive and negative impacts of nationalism in South Asia.  Specifically, consider religious fundamentalism, militancy, and communal violence in the post-partition subcontinent.

Reflection - Gandhi

Discuss  Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance to British rule.  What were the tactics used? What was the purpose for those tactics? How effective were they?

Thesis - Sino-Japanese Relations

Since 1894, the ownership of the Senkaku islands has been a matter of dispute, and as a result, Sino-Japanese relations have grown increasingly tense over the past three years; China and Japan need to resolve their differences and look to the future in order to prevent regional war breaking out.

Thesis- Chikungunya

Though the Chikungunya virus originated in Africa, it has spread to various countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, which is a threat to global tourism; now in the Americas, Chikungunya is becoming a virus that can be contracted locally, instead of just a virus caught in a foreign land; this is a problem because it is very hard to contain mosquitos, the carriers of the virus, so the best worldwide response to the Chikungunya virus would be to try and eliminate as many mosquitos as possible.

Thesis- Boko Haram in Nigeria

The actions of Boko Haram in Nigeria have widened the social gap between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria, as well as forced the government to take actions against an internal force; the media coverage encourages Boko Haram to continue their terrorism and the international community needs to put an end to these actions in Nigeria in order to prevent the expansion of Boko Haram outside of Nigeria.

Thesis- Hong Kong Protest

The protests in Hong Kong are a necessary part of their history in their transition to rule by China from their special history of being rued by the British Empire.

Thesis-Afghanistan

There are numerous religious and historical causes to the Afghanistan war that in turn present multiple consequences regarding the social, economic, and political fabric of Afghanistan and the neighboring states.

Thesis- Saudi Women Religious Conflicts

In Saudi Arabia, women are hidden from society because they are belittled from education, politics, and marriage. Educationally, most Saudi women were not provided with schooling because their families never permitted it. Politically, women have no say in government or the right to vote. Saudi women also have their husbands chosen for them during their teenage years.

Thesis- North Korea

North Korea's isolationism and totalitarianism is the result the division of the Koreas and has been kept alive dictators determined to keep power and the people's loyalty to the state; North Korea's poverty and prison camps have been hidden from international news until recently, along with threats of nuclear war on the United States and other Western powers; this totalitarian state can be saved if the people of North Korea were shown the freedoms that the people of other nations have and turn them away from their leader.

Thesis - Ebola

The rapid spread of Ebola throughout west Africa is of great global concern because of its high mortality rate and how easily contractible it is; in addition, the status of west Africa for Ebola to be able to spread this rapidly can be traced back to the colonization of Africa, and how it influenced Africa post colonial era.

Thesis- Contemporary Rwanda

The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 led to many negative effects on Rwanda's society but it has also led to many positive effects politically, socially, and economically on Rwanda's contemporary society.

Thesis - Strife in Libya

Islamist militant rivals are currently fighting anti-Islamist forces due to the collapse of the National Transitional Council and the interim government , Libya's strong Islamic population, and the abrupt end to Qaddafi's brutal regime; the news sources portray the situation as helpless, dangerous, and spiraling into a much worse situation; these ideas are widely accepted and/or inevitable unless major changes are made; lastly, the way to confront this situation is for international forces, especially those of the neighboring countries of who's security is at the most risk, to take control of the situation through military action and put an end to these radical Islamist groups and ideas. 

Thesis - Politics in Turkey

Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is rising to be an authoritarian leader through limiting democracy; in addition, Erdogan's evolving character and other nationalistic factors have significantly influenced Turkey's contemporary state.

Thesis - Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The contemporary crisis between Russia and Ukraine is, to a great extent, reflective of the geo-political and socio-historical events and conflicts that have occurred between the two countries throughout the Modern Era; Countless media outlets portray Russia as the aggressor in the present day situation, and most aim to create sympathy when addressing Ukraine even though many of the hostilities stem from pro-separatist Ukrainian’s themselves; The world needs to take action to create peace in Ukraine by facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and by assisting the general public in receiving and understanding information regarding the conflict, which will allow the public to appropriately voice its concerns without introducing violence. 

Thesis - Israeli-Palesinian Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict contains many local and global consequences that affect global relations socially, politically, and economically.

Thesis- Rape in sub-Saharan Africa

Rape, as a weapon in war, continues to reflect the political, economic, and social issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria even after their initial civil wars; Despite news sources from around the world portraying these rapes as evil, horrifying, and inhumane, the government rarely punishes the offenders; In order to control and decrease rapes in these countries, the international community should take action, instituting programs to help educate civilians and punishing rape offenders for their crime.

Thesis - ISIS

ISIS rose to power due to the instability in Iraq and Syria due to civil wars in Syria, effects from the war in Iraq, and the power of Al Qaeda, and continues to persecute opposing groups, violate human rights, run a caliphate that threatens stability in the Middle East, and hurt the world economy; In addition, almost all news sources, whether from western or eastern countries, portray ISIS as evil and horrible, while the group's propaganda on social media is often censored or removed; Finally, the way to stop ISIS is for the west to refrain from taking military action and allow the Middle Eastern to handle the warfare themselves while instead taking action to hurt the group economically, weakening its power.

Thesis- Syrian Civil War

The negative economic and social impact of the Syrian Civil War has roots of harsh political corruption and environmental conditions, but the damage and extent of the war can be slowed or even halted by short term solutions.

Thesis- HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS has impacted countless nations across the globe, but specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa where it has had social, economic, and political effects on the countries in this region.

Thesis - Globalization and Cold War Effects

The Cold War created widespread effects throughout the entire world, encompassing Europe through the Iron Curtain and Asia through Cold War Paradigms; as recent news stories reflect, the conflict revolutionized the lives of people in three ways: first by creating alliances and divergences that persist to this day, second by transforming social, economic, political, and technological norms, and third by accelerating globalization; finally, the best international response to such consequences is to put past animosities behind by engaging in respectful diplomacy that accepts ideological differences and promotes the freedom of choice, thus taking advantage of globalization and empowering individuals with agency.

Edit: The Cold War generated profound international effects, encompassing Europe through the Iron Curtain and Asia through Cold War Paradigms; as recent news stories reflect, the conflict revolutionized the lives of people by creating enduring alliances and divergences, transforming cultural norms, and accelerating globalization; finally, the best international response to such consequences is to put past animosities behind, taking full advantage of globalization.

Edit 2: The Cold War generated profound international effects, encompassing Europe through the Iron Curtain; as recent news stories reflect, the conflict revolutionized the lives of people by creating enduring alliances and divergences, transforming cultural norms, and accelerating globalization; finally, the best international response to such consequences is to put past animosities behind, taking full advantage of globalization.

HQ - Dictatorship in North Korea

How has North Korea been able to maintain totalitarianism and isolationism in this contemporary society that is becoming more globally interconnected?

HQ - Politics in Turkey

Is the President of Turkey, Recep Edrogan, rising to be an authoritarian leader? Also, what nationalistic factors have contributed to the contemporary state of Turkey?

HQ - Sino-Japanese Relations

How has the history of tenuous Sino-Japanese relations led to the current Senkaku islands dispute?

HQ- Boko Haram

How have the actions of Boko Haram socially and politically affected Nigeria. Why is it of international concern?

HQ - Women in Saudi Arabia (posted for Melissa)

How has Saudi Arabia affected women's religious and social rights?

Please note - This is Melissa's historical question.

HQ- Violence against women in sub-Saharan Africa

How has violence against women contributed to the political, economic, and social issues in sub-Saharan Africa? Why is this of global concern to the international community?

HQ - Chikungunya

What is the Chikungunya virus, and how does it affect Latin America and global affairs?

HQ - Afghanistan Conflict

What events and beliefs caused the Afghanistan conflict and what drives the continued fighting?

HQ - Ebola

How has the history of Africa contributed to the rapid spread of Ebola, and why is Ebola a concern to the global society?

HQ - Strife in Libya

Which socioeconomic and political hardships in Libya contributed and continue to contribute to the current conflict? Also, how is the situation progressing and what are some possible outcomes of the terror?

HQ Contemporary Rwanda

How has the genocide of Rwanda in 1994 affected modern day Rwanda?

HQ - Hong Kong Protests

What implications do the protests in Hong Kong have for China and other single party states throughout the world?

HQ - Syrian Civil War

Why is the civil war of global concern and what are outside forces doing to help end it?

HQ- HIV/AIDS

How has HIV and the AIDS virus spread so quickly in recent years, and what is its effect of counties impacted by it?

HQ - Russia-Ukraine Conflict

How does the current conflict reflect the history of imperialism and struggle between Russia and Ukraine? Based on historical factors, which country should have the rights to disputed land in the Ukraine, such as Crimea? 

HQ - ISIS

What social, economic, and political factors led to the instability in the Middle East that gave way to ISIS's rise to power as a so-called Islamic State? How has this influenced society in Iraq, Syria, and the rest of the world?

HQ - Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

What are the local and global effects that have been caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? How does this effect international relations?

HQ - Globalization and Cold War Effects

How did the Cold War shape contemporary Asia and Europe? Include both immediate effects and continuing legacies. How does this represent globalization?

Edit: How did the Cold War affect the people of Asia and Europe, and how did its legacies contribute to globalization?

Edit 2: How did the Cold War affect the people of Europe, and how did its legacies contribute to globalization?

Meiji Reflection

Was the Meiji Restoration a revolution?  Make sure to identify local and national implications of this event.

Boxer Rebellion Reflection

What is the significance of the Boxer Rebellion?  How does this event contribute to our understanding of the history and culture of East Asia?  How does this event fit into the bigger picture of world history?

Unit 3 - Investigation D: Water & Security in Central Asia

What socio-cultural, geopolitical, and historical factors will influence the proposed creation of a Palestinian state?

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation C: Isreal, Palestinians, and the Arab World

What socio-cultural, geopolitical, and historical factors will influence the proposed creation of a Palestinian state?

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation B: Women in Islam

Why is there controversy over the role of women in Islam?  In your reflection, be sure to address religious mandates, tradition, and cultural practices.

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Investigation A: Ottoman Empire

After completing Investigation A, explain the significance of the Ottoman Empire.  Specifically, consider factors that contribute to its rise, success, and ultimate demise.

HINT: Check the study guide for the unit 3 test to help identify appropriate details to support your argument.

Unit 3 - Geography & Culture Reflection

Listen to ALL of the comments on the VoiceThread.  Describe the impact of geography of on the history, culture and society of Southwest Asia and North Africa.  Be sure to support your answer with specific examples from the activity and our studies.

Africa Regional Study - Part A Reflection

You've examined “Explore the Regions with a Map Tool” at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/explore/index.html and created a chart detailing cultural and geographic characteristics of Sub-Saharan Africa.  Now, write a critical reflection detailing similarities, differences, and trends in Sub-Saharan Africa.   

Be sure your reflection includes a thesis statement, specific details from your research, and evidence of contemplation!

FI - Question #53

To complete question #53 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from a PRINT issue of Current History.  Your comment should include the following:

• Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
• MLA Citation
• Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary with a clear thesis statement

FI - Question #52

To complete question #52 on the "Foundations Investigation," select an article from the PRINT issue of History Today.  Your comment should include the following:

• Cultural Region (Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, or Latin America)
• MLA Citation
• Concise (no more than 5 sentences) summary that includes a clear thesis statement

Important Summer News Stories

We're only half way through the summer but but there have been several major news developments.  I thought it might be useful to identify some of the stories you should be following:

• Afghan presidential elections
• al-Shabab insurgency in East Africa
• Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria
• Civil war in Syria
• Ebola outbreak
• Gaza-Israel conflict
• Indonesia presidential elections
• ISIS in Iraq & Syria
• Japan constitutional changes
• Pacific typhoon
• Turkish presidential elections
• Ukraine conflict (including MH17)
• US Supreme Court decisions
• World Cup

You should also know the leaders of the countries above along with leaders of major international organizations (ex. United Nations & International Monetary Fund) and institutions (ex. US Supreme Court, US Congress, & Catholic Church).

While you are not required to keep a journal/notes on current events, if you bring the journal to class on the first day you will be allowed to use this on the current events quiz.

GGS III - From Food to Guns, Germs, & Steel

After you've read Part III: From Food to Guns, Germs, & Steel, identify one point or issue with which you agree, disagree, or about which you would like to learn more.  Use the SVHS databases or the Internet to find out more.

Your comment to this post should include the author, title, source, link or database title, and a summary of the source.  In your summary, please explain why you choice this particular topic for further exploration.

GGS II - Rise & Spread of Food Production

After you've read Part II: Rise & Spread of Food Production, identify one point or issue with which you agree, disagree, or about which you would like to learn more.  Use the SVHS databases or the Internet to find out more.

Your comment to this post should include the author, title, source, link or database title, and a summary of the source.  In your summary, please explain why you choice this particular topic for further exploration.

GGS I - From Eden to Cajamarca

After you've read Part I: From Eden to Cajamarca, identify one point or issue with which you agree, disagree, or about which you would like to learn more.  Use the SVHS databases or the Internet to find out more.

Your comment to this post should include the author, title, source, link or database title, and a summary of the source.  In your summary, please explain why you choice this particular topic for further exploration.

GGS Discussion Questions

As a critical thinker, you need to develop the ability to both understand and question information.  As you read and answer the comprehension questions on Guns, Germs, & Steel, analyze the arguments presented by and the evidence used by Jared Diamond. You should formulate discussion questions based on the text and post them as comments HERE.

Considerations:

• Good discussion questions should reference a specific point or idea in the text.
• Good discussion questions require critical analysis skills.
• Good discussion questions challenges one to demonstrate factual knowledge and an understanding of the geo-political, socio-historical context of the issue.
• Example: In the epilogue, Diamond states, "The histories of the Fertile Crescent and China also hold a salutary lesson for the modern world: circumstances change, and past primacy is no guarantee of future primacy"(GGS, 417).  Discuss historical and contemporary examples that support or refute this assertion. (NOTE: This question is from the epilogue.  You are only required to read and answer questions about the Prologue and Parts I, II, & III.)

Each student must create UNIQUE discussion questions.  All comments are dated and time stamped - check previous comments to be sure you aren't duplicating someone else's question.

TWIF Flattener #10 - The Steroids

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that the steroids were  "flatteners."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #9 - In-Forming

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that in-forming was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #8 - Insourcing

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that insourcing was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #7 - Supply-Chaining

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2015.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that supply-chaining was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #6 - Offshoring

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that offshoring was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #5 - Outsourcing

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that outsourcing was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #4 - Uploading

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that uploading was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #3 - Work Flow Software

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that work flow software was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #2 - 8/9/95

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that 8/9/95 was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Flattener #1 - 11/9/89

Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that 11/9/89 was a "flattener."  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Chapter 2 Directions

After you have read and taken notes on Chapter 2, "The Ten Forces That Flattened the World," choose FIVE of the flatteners to examine in more detail.  Use the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find recent news articles that relate to, support, or refute Friedman's assertions about the "flatteners."  Post each comment to the appropriate post.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

TWIF Chapter 1 Reflection

After you have read and taken notes on Chapter 1, "While I Was Sleeping," use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-fall2014.blogspot.com/2014/06/approved-sources-for-twif-current.htmll to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertions.  Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to an issue addressed in chapter 1 of TWIF.  Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!

Approved Sources for TWIF Current Events Posts

In Honors World Cultures we'll examine the veracity and reliability of various historical and contemporary sources.  After reading and taking notes on The World is Flat, you will find relevant, current news stories that relate to, support, refute, or extend Friedman's arguments.  Since we have not yet discussed how to evaluate sources, you must use the following sources to find stories from the past 6 months:

• Al-Jazeera America
• BBC World Service
• Christian Science Monitor
• The Economist
• Euronews
• The Guardian
• National Geographic News
• New York Times
• Newseum
• NPR
• Reuters
• The Washington Post
• The Week
• The World

Don't forget...  You will be taking a current events quiz on the first day of class.  Mrs. Friday uses the highlighted sources on a regular basis.

HWC Questions...?

As you are completing the preliminary assignment, some questions may arise.  Post any questions as comments HERE...

Welcome to HWC!

This blog will be used for class discussions and individual reflections throughout the semester.  Remember that this blog is on the Internet and will be viewed by your teacher, your classmates, and others.  Be sure to maintain civility and decorum!  Disparaging and/or derogatory posts will NOT be tolerated.