Final Project

Choose a subject that we have discussed during the term and create a project inspired by that topic. It is open to any media. Please write a short explanation of the project and what inspired you. Include a title and description of your project and submit here for presentations at the beginning of class Friday March 27.

Chapter 10: Discrimination

For this assignment, you have two options. We will present these next class.

Option 1:
Write about a time in your life that you have felt discriminated against. Use descriptive language. This should be at least a paragraph long.

Option 2:
Create an image of discrimination. It can be about a personal experience or something about society as a whole. You may use photography, drawing, painting, collage.. If you are really ambitious you can even make a video.

Have a nice weekend!

Malcolm X

Hi Everyone,

I was going to give an in-class writing assignment after the film, but the film is really long so I've decided to wait until next week to discuss the film and go over some things in the book before posting an assignment. Have a good weekend and see you next week!

Rachel

The Sea Inside

In this film, the main character spends almost thirty years trying to win the right to end his life. Give a brief reflection on the film. Was there any way the film uplifted you even though it was a sad topic? Reflect on that question (yes or no, and why). Using your book in Chapter 5, what are some examples of ethical argument(s) that could be used to either grant his wish or deny it? Was there anything that happened in the film that you think should have changed his mind about his decision?

Juno

Like many popular films, JUNO perhaps enables the audience to explore in fantasy the boundary between the permitted and the forbidden. Does the film end by reaffirming the social status quo? Write a paragraph reflection dealing with your opinion on that. In what ways does the film transgress social norms?

Next, did you identify with the way Juno and Bleeker dealt with the situation? Was there anything that frustrated you in how they handled it? List some of these things, and make reference to Chapter 4 if possible on which writings do you think Juno was most aligned with. Why?

Aristotle and Moral Virtues

Look over Chapter 1 section on Aristotle again and think about the lecture. According to Aristotle, moral qualities can be destroyed by both excess and deficiency. A virtue is a mean or balance between these things. Courage, Justice, Modesty, Gentleness, Friendliness are listed as examples. Choose a virtue either listed in the lecture or on the section on Aristotle's Moral Virtue in the book, then think of either a fictitious character from film or literature or real human being that posses these qualities. Describe how this virtue balances between two extremes and how this person fits.

Platos Cave

For Homework read Chapter 1.

You have two choices.. if you choose option 2, please post a discription of your project and if possible a link illustrating it.

OPTION 1:

Write a reflection comparing the film the Matrix to what you learned in the lecture about Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Below is a link to the Allegory of the Cave from Plato's book THE REPUBLIC:
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/allegory.html

Be sure to include examples of some things you found in common. In the film the Matrix.. what realm do you think is most like the cave, most like being in the sun.. What are the shadows? Think about some of the terms discussed in the lecture.

OR,

OPTION 2:

Create a work of art, video, website or interactive project that illustrates Plato's myth of the cave. This can be low tech like a drawing or collage or this can be done with a camera and computer programs. Feel free to encorporate current events or issues in the work.

We will discuss at the beginning of class next week.