Art and History...Can artists tell us about the past?

These links coordinate with the paper I gave you in class. Use them to help you think about the artistic contributions that stem from the 1920's (EQ #2). This homework will be due on 12/4.

Information on Precisionism: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5410362

Information on Dadaism: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5191892

Information on Surrealism with a focus on Dali: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4504240

Information on architecture of the 20's / 30's: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1554334

Information on jazz music of the 20's (make sure you listen to a sample) http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_roaring.htm

Should the federal government bail out US automakers?

As we learn about the 1920's it is interesting to note that the US auto industry played a major role in creating wealth for the nation. Now here we are almost 90 years later and we are asking will the US automakers collapse? This blog assignment is asking you to think about the points of view that are at play in determining whether or not the federal government should step in and bail out GM, Chrysler, and Ford. Use your sheet (tan packet) to organized your responses.

President Bush and Obama: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/us/politics/11auto.html?_r=1&em&oref=slogin

United Auto Worker's President: Ron Gettelfinger, http://www.uaw.org/auto/11_14_08auto1.cfm

Congressional Republican: Richard Shelby (R) Alabama
http://www.al.com/business/birminghamnews/news.ssf?/base/business/1226654193256860.xml&coll=2

Congressional Democrat: Carl Levin (D) Michigan...transcript from Sunday's Meet the Press. Scroll down until you see Levin's name.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27752329/

How the world perceived the election of Obama

Today we are going to look at different points of view around the world with the election of our 44th President, Barack Obama. We did some work on how different American identities might percieve McCain and Obama in September (soccer moms, Nascar Dads...).
Click on the below links to identify a country and newspaper. Open the link up and read an article on how another paper covered the election of Obama. Record the perspectives on the graphic organizer. Check out at least 2 countries. For example how did Iran see this election? How did Russia look at it? How did Iraqis process the election of Obama?

Finally in the main idea sentence area of your graphic organizer explain why we should care about other points of view. How did the points of view from another part of the world shape the way you think about Obama's election. Think of our conversations so far in diplomacy and or human situations (historical and contemporary) other than our own.

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/?p_size=344

We can also access international newspapers through Google.
http://www.google.com/
do an advanced search
Obama election site:.return Iranian sites that are discussing the election.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/06/index.htm (Pakistan) then click on editorials

http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/ search engine for international papers

The Pink Sheet...Intro to Diplomacy

Due October 15th. Read the instuctions on the pink sheet and complete. This link is for questions 1 & 2. http://www.cfr.org/ This is the website for the journal "Council of Foreign Relations". You may search for a piece that interests you or consider the articles on the front page.


For Question 3 use this link: http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/taylor-j1.html

George Will's take on McCain's use of the legacy of TR

This assignment is a compliment to what we did in class today. The facts and understanding of TR can be put to use in a modern political context. Many conservatives and liberals site him as one of the best; his legacy not only echoes from Mount Rushmore but also in a modern presidential contest. What's George Will (a conservative thinker) have to say about McCain's use of TR's legacy? Do you agree or disagree? Why? Read the below article and summarize his argument as well as address the questions in red. This piece is rather dense so please write down words or concepts you need help with so that when we go over it you have a place to begin. This is also in the October 6th edition of the Patriot News in the editorial section. It will be interesting to see if McCain uses any TR comparisons in this Tuesday's debate.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081005/OPINION/810050374/1015/OPINION

Obama-Washington Comparison Assignment

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88760787

Vice Presidential Debate: Thursday

Due October 1st.

In preparation for the VP Presidential Debate between Palin (R) and Biden (D) we will discuss a few opinion / editorial articles. Select at least 2 articles...your choice. I selected 5 pieces (4 from conservative thinkers and one from a liberal thinker). As you read your selections consider:

What are the main points the author wants you to weigh? Faults or praise of the candidates, style, substance, records...

What evidence do they utilize to prove their points?

--------

As we watch the debates on Thursday night let's look for the issues that are pronounced in these op/eds. Did the candidate trascend the analysis...did they showcase or confirm the analysis?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/160080/page/1 Sam Harris (liberal)on Palin

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/22/opinion/22brooks.html?ex=1377144000&en=d50a14dbeb006f7a&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink David Brooks (conservative) on Biden

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/opinion/16brooks.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
David Brooks (conservative) on Palin

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/opinion/08kristol.html?ref=opinion
Billy Kristol (conservative) on Palin

http://www.axcessnews.com/user.php/articles/show/id/16662
J.D. Longstreet (conservative) on Biden

Opening Act

20th Century Students:

Now that we got the course up and running I want to introduce you to academic blogging. I think some of you have experience with this and for others this may be brand new. In either case it is easy to do and can really be a valuable way of discussing and linking ideas. I would like to begin with a few questions regarding current events. For now you do not need to post anything. I am just going to use the blog for questions and information links.

Use this link to address #1: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec08/crisishistory_09-19.html

1. Last week was a rough one regarding our economy. Summarize what happened. Use the word "capitalism" in context in your answer.


Use this link for #2: http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/21/news/companies/goldman_morgan/index.htm

2. What is the Bush Administration's answer to the above problem? Is this a departure from the "conservative agenda"(laissez faire policies, rugged individualism, small government)?


3. What questions would you like Obama and McCain to answer this Friday during the debate?